If you have a Naim NDS what Ethernet wire do you use?

Ikoun posted:

Yes Vodka makes "more"... My experience is that it goes higher and deeper but does not reach the amzing beautifull medium of the SL. Now with NDS? the game can be different... That's the problem with such upgrades, you are first attached to "what it makes" but for the music, it is not always better.
Waiting your precision ;-)
Cheers

Right now, at this moment, I do like what I hear after installing the AQ Vodka Ethernet cable. 

musicfan51 posted:

The AQ Vodka has more of everything than the Cinnamon though not quite as warm! 

That's the reason i didn't kept it. I want Naim to sound Naim ;-)

Let's wait few days and your feedback. Thank you by advance.
Cheers

KRM posted:

By the way, have any of you experimented with isolating your networks from the outside world with optical converters?

Keith

Hi Keith,

I am about to play with doing this in two ways:

1. Just ordered 2 x TPLink RJ45 - Optical convertors, plus a couple of better quality PSUs & optical cable. Ordered 10/100 convertors as they are claimed to be less noise generating by John Swenson.;

and

2. RJ45 > USB2.0 x 2. I haven't gone for the premier StarTech kit but a £10 special!

I'll post back how it goes.

M

I will be interested to hear how you get on. A friend of mine is planning to do the same. 

Ikoun posted:

musicfan51 posted:

The AQ Vodka has more of everything than the Cinnamon though not quite as warm! 

That's the reason i didn't kept it. I want Naim to sound Naim ;-)

Let's wait few days and your feedback. Thank you by advance.
Cheers

Remind me again what Ethernet cables you are using IKoun? 

Mr Underhill poste

 

1. Just ordered 2 x TPLink RJ45 - Optical convertors, plus a couple of better quality PSUs & optical cable. Ordered 10/100 convertors as they are claimed to be less noise generating by John Swenson.

 

I'll be intrigued to know how you get on with these, and if they change/improve the sound at all. I considered trying them, but went for a different optical solution in the end, as I wanted to set up a complete LAN based around a central switch, which TPLink don't provide. 

Is there any sound quality advantage to go all Vodka Ethernet cables from NAS and my HDX to switch instead of my current setup of AQ Cinnamon Ethernet to switch and Vodka from the switch to NDS?  Too much of a good thing maybe ?  Anybody have that setup ? 

Mr Underhill posted:

KRM posted:

By the way, have any of you experimented with isolating your networks from the outside world with optical converters?

Keith

Hi Keith,

I am about to play with doing this in two ways:

1. Just ordered 2 x TPLink RJ45 - Optical convertors, plus a couple of better quality PSUs & optical cable. Ordered 10/100 convertors as they are claimed to be less noise generating by John Swenson.;

and

2. RJ45 > USB2.0 x 2. I haven't gone for the premier StarTech kit but a £10 special!

I'll post back how it goes.

M

Mr Underhill, I looked at those TP BaseT to BaseSX converters, I coulnt see any detail on the how BaseT clock is generated or details of the PSU.. therefore I suspect you will be translating one type of noise for another set or even adding to the noise you would get from a good quality BaseT switch... The TP converter's  prime function is to drive Ethernet transmission upto 550m as opposed to 100m of BaseT. So I am sure they will sound different, but I suspect it will vary from streamer device to streamer device and environment.

Ideally I say one needs, for best coupled SQ, a switch/converter and SFP fibre module driven by a high quality BaseT / BaseX  clock with low jitter and a good quality low noise powersupply... normally these things are not that critical for regular data use.

musicfan51 posted:

Ikoun posted:

musicfan51 posted:

The AQ Vodka has more of everything than the Cinnamon though not quite as warm! 

That's the reason i didn't kept it. I want Naim to sound Naim

Remind me again what Ethernet cables you are using IKoun? 

I am full loom AQ cinnamon since upgrade with NDS. 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Mr Underhill posted:

KRM posted:

By the way, have any of you experimented with isolating your networks from the outside world with optical converters?

Keith

Hi Keith,

I am about to play with doing this in two ways:

1. Just ordered 2 x TPLink RJ45 - Optical convertors, plus a couple of better quality PSUs & optical cable. Ordered 10/100 convertors as they are claimed to be less noise generating by John Swenson.;

and

2. RJ45 > USB2.0 x 2. I haven't gone for the premier StarTech kit but a £10 special!

I'll post back how it goes.

M

Mr Underhill, I looked at those TP BaseT to BaseSX converters, I coulnt see any detail on the how BaseT clock is generated or details of the PSU.. therefore I suspect you will be translating one type of noise for another set or even adding to the noise you would get from a good quality BaseT switch... The TP converter's  prime function is to drive Ethernet transmission upto 550m as opposed to 100m of BaseT. So I am sure they will sound different, but I suspect it will vary from streamer device to streamer device and environment.

Ideally I say one needs, for best coupled SQ, a switch/converter and SFP fibre module driven by a high quality BaseT / BaseX  clock with low jitter and a good quality low noise powersupply... normally these things are not that critical for regular data use.

I understand that at least one proponent of the TPLink converters ditched the cheap SMPS they are supplied with and used cheap, unbranded Chinese linear PSUs instead, and was apparently pleased with the results. Others have used iFi iPowers with them.

Hi Chrissu,

Yes, I will be using an IFI on the audio side of 'the bridge'.

Hi Simon,

I agree, I may - hence using the IFI PSU ....but also looking at the USB > RJ45 > USB.

Either way in our terms this is a cheap experiment.

I'll post when things are set up and run in.

M

Mr Underhill posted:

also looking at the USB > RJ45 > USB.

Out of curiosity, how does this fit into what you're trying to do? 

Gandalf_fi posted:

HH & NIGELB thanks about this Lindy & reducing grounding points tip, I will try it.

Got Lindy & tried it with connected to NAS (AQ Vodka, AQ Diamond to NDS, HP Switch with metal connectors) -> nope, it did not improve but vice versa. The difference was not big but without Lindy sound is a bit more open & accurate. Need to test it more, I believe this extra connector does not do any improvement if the grounding is done properly like Simon suggested. Sorry guys...

Interesting ! 

musicfan51 posted:

Is there any sound quality advantage to go all Vodka Ethernet cables from NAS and my HDX to switch instead of my current setup of AQ Cinnamon Ethernet to switch and Vodka from the switch to NDS?  Too much of a good thing maybe ?  Anybody have that setup ? 

I went from all Cinnamon to Vodka between switch and NDS and Vodka between switch and UnitiServe which is the equivalent arrangement to that you describe. I prefer this to the Cinnamon at these two links but I know that some prefer to mix cables at these points.

nigelb posted:

musicfan51 posted:

Is there any sound quality advantage to go all Vodka Ethernet cables from NAS and my HDX to switch instead of my current setup of AQ Cinnamon Ethernet to switch and Vodka from the switch to NDS?  Too much of a good thing maybe ?  Anybody have that setup ? 

I went from all Cinnamon to Vodka between switch and NDS and Vodka between switch and UnitiServe which is the equivalent arrangement to that you describe. I prefer this to the Cinnamon at these two links but I know that some prefer to mix cables at these points.

Nigelb, what % of improvement did you get  you think from Untiserve to switch by going Vodka?  is it worthwhile in your view? I wonder if if it better to go all AQ Vodka or stay Cinnamon to switch then Vodka to NDS?  Then I guess,  money wise you can consider Diamond from Switch to NDS and Cinnamon from Unitiserve to switch. Hmmm. I am listening to the Vodka Ethernet cable today I put in Monday . Still liking the difference. But want to make sure, so not ordering anything till Next Monday just to make sure I like the difference! 

To be honest with you I never planned to have two Vodka cables in my system. I had one Vodka cable and ordered some more Cinnamon. I was actually sent another length of Vodka for the price of Cinnamon - I suspect the supplier had run out of Cinnamon and sent Vodka instead, and this was a 8m length! Anyway I didn't ask too many questions.

I can't honestly quantify the difference the second Vodka (between switch and UnitiSeve) had, I just seem to remember a little more clarity and solidity to music. I certainly was not prepared to pay the proper cost of 8m of Vodka!

I still think that Cinnamon offers the best VFM mainly because there is a steep hike in price when going to Vodka for some marginal gain. Diminishing returns I guess. Remember we Brits pay rather more that you in the US (assuming you are in the US) for AQ cables.

nigelb posted:

To be honest with you I never planned to have two Vodka cables in my system. I had one Vodka cable and ordered some more Cinnamon. I was actually sent another length of Vodka for the price of Cinnamon - I suspect the supplier had run out of Cinnamon and sent Vodka instead, and this was a 8m length! Anyway I didn't ask too many questions.

I can't honestly quantify the difference the second Vodka (between switch and UnitiSeve) had, I just seem to remember a little more clarity and solidity to music. I certainly was not prepared to pay the proper cost of 8m of Vodka!

I still think that Cinnamon offers the best VFM mainly because there is a steep hike in price when going to Vodka for some marginal gain. Diminishing returns I guess. Remember we Brits pay rather more that you in the US (assuming you are in the US) for AQ cables.

Nigelb, yes I forget AQ is imported to The UK. I have Chord Sarum speaker wire and a Chord Sarum Super Aray interconnect hooked up to my NDS to preamp! And Chord is quite pricy here in the USA. I wanted to try the Indigo aray Ethernet but because it is imported it is more than I want to spend on an Ethernet cable. So I understand. Thanks for reply Nigel. And it great you got that Vodka cable for price of Cinnamon !  

musicfan51 posted:

nigelb posted:

musicfan51 posted:

Is there any sound quality advantage to go all Vodka Ethernet cables from NAS and my HDX to switch instead of my current setup of AQ Cinnamon Ethernet to switch and Vodka from the switch to NDS?  Too much of a good thing maybe ?  Anybody have that setup ? 

I went from all Cinnamon to Vodka between switch and NDS and Vodka between switch and UnitiServe which is the equivalent arrangement to that you describe. I prefer this to the Cinnamon at these two links but I know that some prefer to mix cables at these points.

Nigelb, what % of improvement did you get  you think from Untiserve to switch by going Vodka?  is it worthwhile in your view? I wonder if if it better to go all AQ Vodka or stay Cinnamon to switch then Vodka to NDS?  Then I guess,  money wise you can consider Diamond from Switch to NDS and Cinnamon from Unitiserve to switch. Hmmm. I am listening to the Vodka Ethernet cable today I put in Monday . Still liking the difference. But want to make sure, so not ordering anything till Next Monday just to make sure I like the difference! 

I would stick with the Vodka if I were you, for me I found the Diamond to do everything I wanted but since Vertere makes SuperLumina for Naim I will most likely keep it over AQ for the Naim sonic sound

greekspec2 posted:

musicfan51 posted:

nigelb posted:

musicfan51 posted:

Is there any sound quality advantage to go all Vodka Ethernet cables from NAS and my HDX to switch instead of my current setup of AQ Cinnamon Ethernet to switch and Vodka from the switch to NDS?  Too much of a good thing maybe ?  Anybody have that setup ? 

I went from all Cinnamon to Vodka between switch and NDS and Vodka between switch and UnitiServe which is the equivalent arrangement to that you describe. I prefer this to the Cinnamon at these two links but I know that some prefer to mix cables at these points.

Nigelb, what % of improvement did you get  you think from Untiserve to switch by going Vodka?  is it worthwhile in your view? I wonder if if it better to go all AQ Vodka or stay Cinnamon to switch then Vodka to NDS?  Then I guess,  money wise you can consider Diamond from Switch to NDS and Cinnamon from Unitiserve to switch. Hmmm. I am listening to the Vodka Ethernet cable today I put in Monday . Still liking the difference. But want to make sure, so not ordering anything till Next Monday just to make sure I like the difference! 

I would stick with the Vodka if I were you, for me I found the Diamond to do everything I wanted but since Vertere makes SuperLumina for Naim I will most likely keep it over AQ for the Naim sonic sound

Greekspec2, what differences did you hear between Vodka and Diamond ? 

Im not the best at describing, but it had the most detailed and live sound to my ears with zero run time on the Diamond

greekspec2 posted:

Im not the best at describing, but it had the most detailed and live sound to my ears with zero run time on the Diamond

I wonder if the Diamond Ethernet cable is a better match with Naim than the Vodka? 

I got one at a discount

musicfan51 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

Im not the best at describing, but it had the most detailed and live sound to my ears with zero run time on the Diamond

I wonder if the Diamond Ethernet cable is a better match with Naim than the Vodka? 

Are you going to keep it? 

musicfan51 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

Im not the best at describing, but it had the most detailed and live sound to my ears with zero run time on the Diamond

I wonder if the Diamond Ethernet cable is a better match with Naim than the Vodka? 

Nope, they sound same from PRAT & match point of view.