Which Ethernet filter?

@lollipopguild

I used to own a combination of iSO-CAT6 and dCBL-CAT7 and enjoyed the ultra detailed and fuller sound of the combo with my Aurender N10. While I didn’t directly compare ENO filter with aforementioned combo, I preferred the relaxed, natural sound resulted from ENO streaming system which included their Ethernet cable on both ends. No direct experience with Muon but in reading other user’s feedback, its a further improvement over ENO. I have moved on to Telegartner M12 Switch Gold with JCAT Signature LAN Cable GOLD M12 and quite happy with the results.

Since both ENO and Muon comes with 30 days money back guarantee, I suggest you should audition and compare them with SOTM combo in your system and keep what you ending up preferring. No two systems are alike, not to mention room acoustics and personal preferences.

@lollipopguild 

Looking forward to your impressions. As I've said in my first post, no two systems are alike!

“best filtering is well implemented optical in my experience”

That is not my experience. I found LAN cables to render fuller sound that is closer to analog than the digital sheen experienced with fiber optical kit. Also, the quality of server/streamer matters as well. The consumer grade laptops, Mac-mini are more prone to producing excessive noise. 

@audphile1 

I am curious to learn more about Network player option with M3. 

@audphile1 

I am not at all surprised by your impressions of M3 as a Roon renderer + DAC. I honestly believe DAC’s with network cards is the future of digital streaming. One would be hard pressed to tell a difference between separates (dedicated streamer + DAC) to a integrated DAC with network card as long as their integration is meticulously designed and implemented. My Merging +player is another fine example of Roon Core player + DAC in one box. I am still not fully warmed up to Roon but regardless the sublime performance of Merging +player is so compelling that I don’t feel the need for a SOTA server like Taiko Extreme:-) 

“I’ll be enjoying things at this level for a bit ”
@audphile1 

You should, Bricasti sports a rare combination of high quality build and exquisite sound, enjoy! 

@bondmanp

There is no substitute for trying things in your system and access which one of these filters sounds best or not. I wouldn’t form any opinions based on price of admission. I have auditioned both optical kit and ENO filter in my system, and ENO was a keeper over anything else I’ve tried under $1200.

BTW, ENO offers the same 30 days money back guarantee :-)

@lollipopguild

My network attached DAC/Roon Player conforms to RAVEENA which requires Gigabit Ethernet. To further learn about the advantages of RAVENNA and why Merging choose to adopt the RAVENNA, I suggest reading up on both Merging Technologies +player and RAVEENA networking.

@wsrrsw 

Yes, you can bundled the M12 Switch and your choice of LAN cables. I am bit confused about your response on Net Isolator. The Net Isolator act as a noise filtering device and not a direct replacement for router. Maybe you meant something else? 

And yes, I am using JCAT Optimo III DUO LPS with M12. Please click on pic19 in my audio system to learn more about my Ethernet setup. 
 

@wsrrsw  ..agree with you on ‘less in the chain’

@lollipopguild 

I found ENO to be by far the best and most natural sounding filter under $1500 range.  I used to own previous generation SoTM combo :-) 

@wsrrsw

EtherRegen is a distant memory :-) Between Muon / ENO, my experience is limited to ENO which is nothing but all positive. The only reason ENO is no longer in my system because it doesn’t support 1Gb/s connection speed. I suggest you read up on thread by @grannyring which outlines his transition to Muon from ENO.

As far as M12 goes, yes it does not use RJ45 connectors, instead you need a M12 connector. If you go M12 route, you must buy either Telegartner M12 X-coded/MFP8 IE GOLD LAN or JCAT Signature LAN Cable GOLD M12 X cables. You need minimum of two such cables, one from router to M12 switch and 2nd one from M12 switch to Lumin X1. And 3rd one to connect Nucleus. For me, this was a end game solution. I am no longer looking to upgrade or tinker here n there. Pic 19 in my virtual system shows how M12 is being used in my system.

No, JCAT Isolator is not needed with M12. I bought one and sold it. It did next to nothing with M12 Switch.

Hope this helps!