Using Ethernet to Fibre media converters at each end and an optical cable will isolate RF noise from the router end to the streamer, but it will introduce some noise of it own. It will give a bigger soundstage and more detail. The media converters and their PSU’s will introduce noise of their own though, albeit at a lower level. Using an ENO filter just before the streamer will filter out this last bit of noise making things even better.
The indisputable benefit of fiber for music
I've read a lot about fiber's audible superiority to Ethernet, and most of it I have taken with a grain of salt. 1GigE is plenty fast for just about anything, and it is balanced and galvanically isolated. The one area where fiber is clearly a better choice for music systems is lightning protection.
It is not uncommon for lightning to enter a home via the cable TV's coaxial cable. This can easily jump the millimeters from coax to Ethernet to Ethernet. So if you are like me, and rely on Ethernet cabling to stream to avoid any Wifi issues you are also creating a possible lightning path from the external Internet provider's connection all the way to your fancy audio gear.
In this one situation I have to say, the use of a 1m or longer fiber cable is the superior solution. I'm considering using this at the junction between the cable TV modem and my router, therefore isolating all of my streaming devices at once.
Best,
Erik
It is not uncommon for lightning to enter a home via the cable TV's coaxial cable. This can easily jump the millimeters from coax to Ethernet to Ethernet. So if you are like me, and rely on Ethernet cabling to stream to avoid any Wifi issues you are also creating a possible lightning path from the external Internet provider's connection all the way to your fancy audio gear.
In this one situation I have to say, the use of a 1m or longer fiber cable is the superior solution. I'm considering using this at the junction between the cable TV modem and my router, therefore isolating all of my streaming devices at once.
Best,
Erik