Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Thread Like Summary - Network Acoustics ENO filter

I wanted to draw attention to this network filter by Network Acoustics. I have the silver version which is placed between my switch and NUC. It enhances all the usual hi-fi virtues of scale, dynamics, tonal purity, removal of harshness etc. But it is its ability to allow detail to shine through that is remarkable. I was very surprised by how good it is.

At first, focus was a bit off but after some burn-in it became first rate. [Will people who do not believe in burn-in please ignore the above. I do not want to debate the issue. But I can think of no better component to demonstrate the benefits of burn-in than the silver version of this filter.]

I have been using the ENO filter for several weeks. It is connected between my Router and my 818v3 using an AQ Diamond RJ45 cable (I have not yet tried the RJ45 cable built by Network Acoustics). What I hear when it is in the system is simply a great improvement in overall Audio Quality with no negative attributes. At this point, the ENO has found a home in my system. It allows me to hear more of what is in the stream and I find myself spending even more time listening and enjoying the music.

Hi All

Here is a quote from the ENO propaganda.

"ENO filters out electrical noise, which would otherwise be delievered via the ethernet cable into you sensitive audio equipment, without effecting the crucial data stream."

Please spot the misspelt words and also the word that does not appear in the OED.

Three mistakes in one sentence, unbelievable!!

They appear to make it up as they go along.

No confidence here.

Hector

Firstly Many Thanks to Both Clemburt and Jeremy for your feedback on this topic. Much appreciated.

I’m intrigued to hear if the ENO can make the same sort of differences you both are experiencing on my system.

Common theme is we all have an 818v3, which sofar I’ve not had any noticeable gains using hi-end Ethernet cables.

Also interesting to know that even with a good switch or even a very good switch, products like the ENO can still improve things.

If the ENO does make a difference, I’m wondering if it’s then worth re-visiting some of the Ethernet cables that I have tried and had no real noticeable gains from(vs the ENO Cable).

Looks like after that, a demo of an audiophile switch is also a worthwhile consideration.

Demoing it enjoyable…….it’s the potential pain to the wallet that follows that hurts.

so far I’ve not heard anything to improve upon what I have…….let’s hear what the ENO brings/or not😉

Between a decent switch and an 818, the ENO Ag+cable sounds fantastic. Given your setup I’m sure Jeremy’s suggestions are fully justified. In my case I started off replacing a basic netgear switch with an Etherregen and the improvement was significant. Tried the Shunyata Sigma Ethernet cable to the short run to my 818 but it was nowhere near as good as the ENO+cable, which transformed the musicality of my system. (But only if used with one of the standard sockets and not the galvanically isolated one; which was fine because I used the latter with benefit for my Apple TV.)

I tried putting the Netgear switch back hoping to sell the Etherregen, but it sounded terrible! So, although not an obvious starting point the Etherregen is a less expensive option which can be upgraded by a better clock and power supply at a later date, should the mood take you. As others have pointed out it runs hot but it is designed to. Just needs careful placement.

Thanks, Darren. I wish I could take that accolade, but others here definitely discovered (and, thankfully, pointed me to) the ENO before I did!

For various reasons, I haven't been able to try the ENO with my 818 (it needs to go back for a service), however I would expect it to respond even better on the 818 than on the music player that precedes it (which also drives my Stax setup). That caveat aside, the SOtM switch with their master clock, cap upgrades etc and the Innuos PhoenixNet are the best switches I've heard in production so far. The Innuos makes a better case for itself as it has twin independent power supplies and, what is meant to be, a better clock included in the price (you have to add £500 to the cost of the SOtM to get their single rail SMPS).

The ENO improves on these two switches dramatically, but the combination with a decent switch delivers so much more than it can on its own. If you don't have a high-end switch, I think you'll hear a terrific difference with the ENO. If you do have a high-end switch, it sounds fantastic!


PS Ethernet cables is another kettle of fish, for the run into the ENO, I would recommend their own silver cable. For other runs, the best I've tried so far is the AudioQuest Diamond (which I use for the SpeakerLink connections), but pricing is not for the faint of heart! You can find them on eBay, but make sure they are coming from someone reputable as there are lots of clones out there. I'm in the process of making up my mind on some other Vertere cables, but I don't feel I'm in a position to comment just yet.

Unfortunately, I've never tried Shunyata's ethernet cables, the relationship with my dealer broke down after waiting months (now well over a year) to trial a cable I knew they had in stock (after buying quite a few cables, I might add). I'm likely to rebuild my relationship with Shunyata with another dealer as Shunyata's own support is literally second to none (I sincerely mean this, I have never come across a company that bends over backwards to help in the way they do).

I thought I’d post my thoughts on the ENO Streaming system now it’s been in my system for 20days and over 110hrs of playing time.

My network comprises:

Sky Q Router -> cat7 1m -> Nethear GS108 (multiple outputs used) -> cat7 7m -> Netgear GS205(in music room only used for 818)

I could go direct into 818 with the 7m cat7 but have heard that having 2x switches (even non-audiophile ones) helps reduce noise, not heard a difference myself but having the 2nd switch does enable me to try different cables quite easily into the 818.

I have previously tried quite a number of cables from this 2nd switch into 818, all with great reviews, ranging from £30 to £1500.

All cables I have tried up to a value of £500 have made absolutely no difference to the 818.

It’s only when i stepped up another level did I hear the 818 sound any ‘different’.

These expensive cables (one from a brand that I hold in high regard as I have had amazing results with their power cords) made the sound seem filtered. This was not in the high frequencies either, this was in the midrange and was making vocalists sound quite muffled.....so my reference cable at this point was still my freebie white Cat5e of unknown origin.

It’s at this point I came across some reviews of the ENO Streaming system and Hans Beekhuyzens video.....and also this thread.

From the very first note, of the very first track(infact before the first notes ended) I could hear a difference........a positive difference.....for the first time, Ive found a cable that has improved upon what the 818 can deliver.

Soundstage was slightly wider, higher, lower, deeper. Bass was tighter, percussion instruments now sounded ‘real’......I think that’s the best way to describe it.

This remained the case for the first 4 days of listening. Everything improved.

Heres the issue though, Going back to my reference Cat5e, wasn’t as night and day as I was expecting. At this point I would say that I was impressed with the ENO system.....but not £1000 impressed. Maybe £500 if I had to put a value on the upgrade.......comparing the percentage gains to the gains I’ve had with power cables.

As I had a 30day trial I persevered and continued to enjoy what I was hearing, every now and again reverting back to my Cat5e for reference.

It’s not until I got upto day 7 that I had somewhat of a revelation. I got up early one morning to have a listen......WOW.......
what just happened.

I was now hearing nuances between my listening position and the speakers that I wouldn’t call ‘forward’ as that can be perceived in a negative context but it was filling in the space that somehow just made it sound more realistic.

As time has gone on, the sound has never altered in a negative way as some cables can do with burn in, it just gets better and better.

I can now pick out instruments in space(as before) but now you can focus on the sound emanating from that instrument to you the member of the audience, when you then switch focus to a different instrument, you get the same sound emanating to you but you also hear the nuances of the instrument behind, it’s a real 3D space experience........writing this now I think that word sums it up quite nicely. I now feel like I’m having a musical experience and not just listening to a HiFi.

Okay it’s not real.......but it’s definitely quite a noticeable step in taking you closer to that experience.

Now........when I go back to my good old trusty freebie Cat5e, that has took on and won over some cables costing £1500, the demo tracks I know and love very well, sounds very flat and the soundstage in all aspects seems to shrink and bass becomes more bloated and less controlled. Vocals have a more noticeable sibilance and percussion just doesn’t sound as real........before having the ENO all these aspects sounded absolutely amazing........I just have a new level of amazing with the ENO re-installed 😀

Just to point out, this difference of swapping the ENO in and out, is now night and day difference to me after the 100hr playing time.....which it wasn’t in the first 4 days of playing.

I highly recommend you give this product a try (why not with the 30day money back offer).......but make sure you give it over 100hrs of playing time. It’s not until quite recently that I bothered to read the information they include in the packaging and they mention that for the Ag version give it 100hrs before it really start to shine......I’d go slightly more just to make sure.

So I’ve gone from being a bit unsure as to the ENOs performance vs cost ratio.....and also starting to wonder if any cable can make a difference to what the 818 is already delivering, to being totally blown away with the positive changes it makes, all within the space of a week.

I’m now intrigued as to what their M-Link filter can do from 818 to DSP’s.

This experience has made me far less skeptical as to what changes Ethernet cables can make to the sound of our systems by reducing the amount RFI/EMI......and not effecting digital representation of the analog signal.

The only problem now is I’m wondering IF a better switch would give yet a further improvement........just when I thought there were no more gains to be had.......that will have to wait a while though........I’ll just continue to enjoy this new uplift in realism that the ENO adds.