Streaming via Coax

My system is in that awesome period of final tweaks and finishing touches (yeah right . . . ).

So I'm just looking to try some galvanic isolation to my streamer as it runs off some HDD's through powerline adapters (yes I know bad bad bad for the mains) but they are isolated from the ring my hifi is on at least.

Just wondered if anyone has heard audible benefits to running coax adapters? Technically I can see the benefit as it stops electrical noise and interference, certainly more so than running straight from the adapter/router.

I've also heard some people benefit from running a linear powered network switch/hub just before the streamer, any advice one this?

Cheers.

I have no experience with coax isolators, except my Allo Digione has galvanic isolation on its coax output. I have recently been battery powering an Ethernet switch I have just before my RPI and that seems to make an improvement- mainly on the depth and imaging. In fact, just having the switch there made a big improvement.

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Originally Posted by Alp

I have recently been battery powering an Ethernet switch

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Nice, I might get a linear supply for a switch just before my streamer then try the coax adapters before and after the switch to gauge improvement.

I used to power anything with batteries DAC's/SUT's/phono stages (low power ones anyway), but got quite fed up reconnecting/switching on the batteries each time and keeping track of when they needed replacing or charging etc.

Improvements were usually noticeable though.

I know the Temple Audio mono's are highly regarded when using their mains charged battery power supply so the theory can be implemented all round.

Cheers

Surely the best galvanic isolation would be an optical cable?

not got this one but it gets a good name.. i have the usb version.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/spdif-ipurifier/

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Originally Posted by CageyH

Surely the best galvanic isolation would be an optical cable?

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Aiming to isolate the streamer also. Plus my coax cable sounds better with my DAC.

Admittedly I'm not quite up to speed on the validity or necessity of galvanic isolation and where it would be most usefully implemented, but if I can make the "barrier" as early on in the chain as possible, that seems logical to me.

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Originally Posted by struth

not got this one but it gets a good name.. i have the usb version.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/spdif-ipurifier/

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Thanks Grant, I have actually tried this a while ago (admittedly when the system was no where near as far along as it is now) but I didn't like it. Even ran it off a separate power supply but it just didn't sound right to me.

Good fun trying though. I have a few other iFi products which really did make a difference. They are engineered very well and make sense in what they do.

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Originally Posted by Opti-cal

Thanks Grant, I have actually tried this a while ago (admittedly when the system was no where near as far along as it is now) but I didn't like it. Even ran it off a separate power supply but it just didn't sound right to me.

Good fun trying though. I have a few other iFi products which really did make a difference. They are engineered very well and make sense in what they do.

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interesting. the usb one works well.. i was considering one, but dont think i will bother now.

For clarification I'm aiming to galvanic-ally isolate the entire streamer and everything down chain from that.

So the chain will go -- HDD -- Network switch -- powerline adapter -- Coax adapter (send) -- GALVANIC ISOLATION -- Coax adapter (receive) -- Streamer (ethernet in) . . . . .

Hope that makes sense, admittedly it is a bit convoluted and not many have tried it would seem, but I enjoy trying things out even if they are a bit far fetched/unnecessary!

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Originally Posted by struth

interesting. the usb one works well.. i was considering one, but dont think i will bother now.

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Might still be worth a try in your system Grant, as I say it is horses for courses and it may react differently in your system.

One thing I have really gotten on with is this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/iFi-iPurifi...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

In some positions it does sanitise the sound and things get a bit over-smooth but overall for me, it does improve things. Does some clever phase analysing business and can also reverse ground loops apparently.

True.. Tbh I'm not using the rpi which uses coax at moment. So will see how things develop. I might end up selling the digione system

"runs off some HDD's". Presumably these contain your music files?

These could be hanging off the back of an inexpensive PC (mine cost less than £50) running Minim Server (free).

Your Pioneer N30 would see this Media server via wi-fi & stream all files wirelessly. Control it all with a cheap Amazon Fire tablet (often available for £30) running Linn Kazoo (free). 100% galvanic isolation because there are no wires connecting the media server and the media renderer (Pioneer N30).

If you can stretch to £660 I would strongly recommend Etheregen network switch. I introduced one into my system fed from a powerline adapter ethernet and its made an enormous difference to soundstage, tone , musicality and resolution of my system.

If you cant stretch that far a second hand cisco 2960 switch is relatively cheap if you can get an LPS onto it assuming you already have one you can notice a difference over normal switches. This is where I was before the etheregen switch. I would save up for the etherregen if you dont currently have LPS for a normal network switch you can try one for 30 days for the price of return postage.


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I got a similar benefit from a £20 Netgear switch and is better when powered by a battery. I suggest you try that first to see if it makes any difference to your sound.

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Originally Posted by Alp

I got a similar benefit from a £20 Netgear switch and is better when powered by a battery. I suggest you try that first to see if it makes any difference to your sound.

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Some of the netgear switches are pretty decent but the ciscos are better and the etherregen wayyy better.

There is a ground shunt modification you can make to typical walwart smps that make a significant improvement improvements too if you just have a standard switch too. Good thread on audiophile style with much discussion on this modification.


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