Optimizing streaming SQ

This is definitely more information that I'm prepared to deal with in terms of these more esoteric tweaks. I have a Packedge router and switch, I'm using the power supply that came with the QNAP and standard ethernet cable. 

I'm very happy with the sound in general. May consider SL connection between amp and NAC 272 both cost is incredible,and like many on this forum, hoping for a higher level streamer / pre-amp from Naim some day.

Thanks to all 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

French Rooster posted:

there is theory and personal experiment, and sometimes it is preferable to trust our ears than technical explanations.  

 

if you read my post, I say exactly that, my point is that one tends to look rather daft trying to justify it in pseudo science... if you like how you have tweaked the sound on your system, just call it as that, but don't assume there is definitely some sort of engineered determinism that will work on any other system. But it is right, in my opinion, to point out some of the tweaks discussed on this forum by perhaps less well informed  but well intentioned individuals may well push your equipment outside regulatory and functional specifications... even though you prefer the it's sound that way.

IIntrusive  RF intermodulation or RF crosstalk in audio circuits can make a sound duller and appear smoother, robbing it of detail that otherwise could  be conveyed, which on some systems may of course may make make reproduced audio more preferable and less edgey or sharp, especially with room/ speaker combinations... I personally would like to try and get the sound matching my preference without relying on random or at least minimally deterministic filtering tweaks, but clearly each to their own and ultimately there is no right or wrong way.

i would not say that well known brands as " acoustic revive " or " melco audio " are in the category of" less well informed but well intentioned individual " that " may push my equivalent outside regulatory and functional specifications ".

The world audio success in streaming audio by Melco audio is due in part by their use of lan isolators and linear ps in their server/nas.  More and more naim forum members are using today melco nas.  I can't qualify lan isolator technology as an esoteric tweak. Sorry.

ChrisSU posted:

nigelb posted:

At the moment I do not have a NAS, so I can't compare the streaming quality of NAS vs US.

So you have no backup! 

Yes, I know. 

Keep meaning to get one purely for back up. Thanks for the prod.

nigelb posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nigelb posted:

At the moment I do not have a NAS, so I can't compare the streaming quality of NAS vs US.

So you have no backup! 

Yes, I know. 

Keep meaning to get one purely for back up. Thanks for the prod.

Good idea 

Indeed, having suffered a powersupply failure to a NAS that destroyed the disks... that resulted in many hours wasted in re ripping power, I always have my backups as a high priority..

French Rooster posted:

i would not say that well known brands as " acoustic revive " or " melco audio " are in the category of" less well informed but well intentioned individual " that " may push my equivalent outside regulatory and functional specifications ".

I'd hardly call 'acoustic revive' a well known brand  , and Melco audio are in the business of manufacturing  media server transports  with priority focus on USB transport, not much about tweaks...but I have to say I have spent quite a time with Melco products and I can't say I found them anything particularly special in terms of resultant SQ compared to the products I use, but then I don't get on with  USB audio, but I admit they do make things simpler for those that are less IT literate which has got be a good thing.. and I think I posted that on this forum when they had just launched their products.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

French Rooster posted:

i would not say that well known brands as " acoustic revive " or " melco audio " are in the category of" less well informed but well intentioned individual " that " may push my equivalent outside regulatory and functional specifications ".

I'd hardly call 'acoustic revive' a well known brand  , and Melco audio are in the business of manufacturing  media server transports  with priority focus on USB transport, not much about tweaks...but I have to say I have spent quite a time with Melco products and I can't say I found them anything particularly special in terms of resultant SQ compared to the products I use, but then I don't get on with  USB audio, but I admit they do make things simpler for those that are less IT literate which has got be a good thing.. and I think I posted that on this forum when they had just launched their products.

i just wanted to point that melco well known nas/servers use lan isolator inside their components, so lan isolation can be effective...  I have tested myself the entry model with nds in upnp and found the sound very musical, but no better than my unitserve/ linear ps and lan isolation in the network.  But if i had not bought before the serve, the melco n1a would be a good choice and simplier( less boxes and components).

hi JS -- as others have noted, it seems like you have this situation under control. the only tweak i can suggest from personal experience is the Cisco 2960 router -- as Nigel said in a thread ages ago, everything sounded "nicer" with the Cisco between my router and streamer. you can score one on Ebay for about $50. as long as it's been reset to the factory defaults (this should be done by the seller, but it's easy enough to do yourself) it should work with little to no faff once you have it powered up and connected.

--joe

My apologies if I am piggybacking on this thread but hopefully my question is relevant to the topic and may help others

I've read the comments on Cisco 3960 switches with interest. I have a Netgear GS108v3 switch connected to my modem/router. I  connect my streamer, nas and ubiquiti router to the switch. Would there be any noticeable benefit to me in replacing the Netgear Switch with a Cisco 3960? If so which model as there seem to be several models for sale both new and secondhand

Bob

The one I have is the 2960 8TC L. As to whether it will make a positive difference, the only way to know is to give it a go. Mine cost £50 on eBay. 

Thanks Nigel

I have also found an earlier post on switches that is helpful although it seems a complicated business to me

Bob