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Cheapest way to enhance SQ with digital streaming

I could not stop but post my observations on remarkable SQ improvement with just a small change. I have been using digital streaming predominantly and have tried many things (cables, conditioner, room treatment). Everything does matter and they all did improve the quality without doubt and are definite investment. But after going through some reviews of fiber optic for Ethernet and their noise reducing properties compared to copper cables, I thought of giving a try. I connected Ethernet cable from router/Ethernet switch to media converter and fiber optic from this media converter (need SFP module) to second media converter (with another SFP module). Then regular Ethernet cable went from this second media converter to server/streamer. Basically the idea is to add fiber optic cable between the router and streamer, which will reduce the noise. But, wow, the difference was huge and amazing. Not sure how to explain the improvement, but the SQ was more fluid, melodious, fast, clean and separation of instruments were clear. The total cost for this was less than 150 (on Amazon). Apparently, as the fiber optic cable conductors are made of glass, they carry less noise compared to copper and also cost very cheap. Compared to money spent on other component in my system (have spent quite a lot), this is the most cost efficient and gave more improvement in the SQ. I am still amazed by this and very happy with what I heard. I feel negligent not to share with my fellow audiophiles, who are trying to get the best out and improve their system, sometime spending quite a bit for small difference. I guess, since the cost of trying this is so cheap (please don’t make me feel guilty for telling 150$ is cheap), try yourself and see the difference. On a different note, have been reading that use of Ethernet switch also does some “saucery” (I am no technical guy, but do read quite a bit of articles on audio) to reduce this noise to improve SQ and combination of fiber optic and the Ethernet switch takes SQ to different level. Will try some audiophile Ethernet switch sometime (may be uptone ethergen or Sotm snh-10g) to try out as I am very intrigued. 
romney80
sns
4,218 posts
 

Yes, ethernet vs optical cable cost is important variable to consider. Prior to optical I tried various classes of generic ethernet, worked up through Supra, Wireworld, and various AQ from Cinnamon on up to Vodka. Vodka substantially better from generic, cost becomes consequential when you add up all the individual runs. Optical cable cheap, and more importantly, higher resolving than any ethernet cable due to complete isolation. Per Romney80, noise free cable has a different sound, it is the absent of sound, you're only hearing pure signal.

 

The only thing that can alter the sound of cable is the converters and power supplies used with them, whereas ethernet cables have sound of their own. Ethernet cables have various shielding schemes and metallurgy, all effect the sound. I'd rather have the zero variable of optical cable.

kingofgix
11 posts
 

I just got a streaming system setup and would like to try optical, but streaming is new to me and despite all the specific advice in this thread there is enough jargon that I don’t understand what I need to do.  I have a single Ethernet cable running to an Innuos streamer/server (I don’t even really know what those words mean), then USB to DAC.  There is talk in this thread of so many different pieces of equipment, I basically have one thing, an Innuos.  I do not know what I would need to incorporate optical.  

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
784 posts
 

@kingofgix  try this easy set up for only $80 on amazon.  Jaw dropping improvement for me.  The other suggestions listed are even better but cost a lot more and more involved.  Maybe down the line I will head there…

Purchase these:

2 of these between your router and Innuos:

Gigabit Ethernet Multi-Mode LC Fiber Media Converter

With this fiber cable between the 2 fiber converter boxes:

FiberCablesDirect - 1.5M OM4 LC LC Fiber Patch Cable | 100Gb Duplex 50/125 LC to LC Multimode Jumper 1.5 Meter

So it would look like this. Router>ethernet cable to first black converter box>optical fiber cable to the second black converter box>ethernet cable from second converter box to Innuos>Usb from Innuos to system

testrun
254 posts
 

 Buy a dedicated music server if you run Roon.  

kingofgix
11 posts
 

tksteingraber,

Thank you so much.  Dummies like me need this sort of clear and specific info.  That said, in reading further on ways to improve the streaming quality, I am wondering also about adding something like an Etheregen unit upstream of the Innuos.  Anybody have any thoughts on that?  Would doing the optical + Etheregen be beneficial, or are these two ways of accomplishing the same thing?

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