What LAN cable are you using in your streaming system?

Posted by: marcobb on 04 July 2012

Hi Everybody,

 

What LAN cable are you using in your streaming system?

 

 

Cheers,

marcobb

Posted on: 10 July 2012 by naimUnT
Harry: I was initially skeptical As the argument about cable is much like naysayers questioning why the last 1 metre could make so much difference! But, although not cheap, I was prepared to just give the LAN Isolator a try. If it works, good! If not, just move on and accept it as snake oil. On a side note, I have one other Acoustic Revive product which I am using and which is the only conditioner I know which will not restrict the dynamics of Naim gear. I posted about it in an earlier post but you don't get much response posting such things in a Naim forum, I've gathered! Now back to the LAN isolator: in my system I am experiencing a very quiet background. The highs are sparkling, especially trumpets. I can feel the blare and bite of brass which I experienced with SET tube gear many years ago when I owned a 300B system. I have not found SS equipment to excel in this area. However, the LAN isolator certainly brings me closer to that magical moment. There is no decrease in dynamics, unlike what the 6moons reviewer experienced. Internet radio usually has a murky mp3 kind of sound. Well, the isolator elevates the sound of iRadio closer to CD format, especially 128 Kbps streams. The musical definition and separation is much improved, probably because of the lowering of noise floor. Overall, a significant improvement!
Posted on: 10 July 2012 by naimUnT
I forgot to mention - the 3 TS of timbre, texture and tone! I'm revelling in the virtue of these three important sonic qualities. You can crank the volume higher and the sound is brainless on CD format. The resonance of strings, the decay is much improved.
Posted on: 10 July 2012 by sckwan

The lan isolator really does sound interesting.

 

Maybe I will borrow one and try it out too!

Posted on: 10 July 2012 by naimUnT
I meant grainless and not brainless!
Posted on: 10 July 2012 by sckwan

Just for fun sake. And it doesn't cost a cent to borrow one. If it works, then the dealer gets a new deal. If it doesn't work, then it will go back to his warehouse!

Posted on: 10 July 2012 by Harry

Thank you. Much appreciated. I might have a punt. 

Posted on: 11 July 2012 by Kendrick

The comments here suggest that for some listeners, the Acoustic Revive LAN Isolator and Audioquest Ethernet cables may improve the sound quality.  Does anyone know whether these or similar products work equally well in a wireless network or are they intended for and work best in a wired networks?  My knowledge of networks is limited, so it wasn't entirely clear how these products were being used.  

 

My network is created by an Airport Extreme>Sonos Bridge> W4S Modified Sonos, using two standard, inexpensive CAT 5 patch cables.   Replacing the two patch cables and adding the LAN isolator ahead of the wireless transmission might... or might not make a difference.   Creating a wired network is possible, at some expense, but Sonos is supposed to sound the same using wired or wireless transmission.  

Posted on: 11 July 2012 by Aleg
Originally Posted by Kendrick:

The comments here suggest that for some listeners, the Acoustic Revive LAN Isolator and Audioquest Ethernet cables may improve the sound quality.  Does anyone know whether these or similar products work equally well in a wireless network or are they intended for and work best in a wired networks?  My knowledge of networks is limited, so it wasn't entirely clear how these products were being used.  

 

My network is created by an Airport Extreme>Sonos Bridge> W4S Modified Sonos, using two standard, inexpensive CAT 5 patch cables.   Replacing the two patch cables and adding the LAN isolator ahead of the wireless transmission might... or might not make a difference.   Creating a wired network is possible, at some expense, but Sonos is supposed to sound the same using wired or wireless transmission.  

The LAN isolator is only relevant in wired environment because it eliminates electrical disturbances travling over the ethernet cable. So if your streamer is connected wirelessly than it is of no use. If you have your streamer wired to a wireless bridge than it is still relevant because your wireless bridge will polute the cable connection to the streamer.

Posted on: 11 July 2012 by Kendrick

I understand.  Thanks for the explanation, Aleg.