Ethernet filters: Waversa EXT-2 vs Muon Pro (and some cable comparison)

Network Audio
21

Yep. The Tempus. I would rather they would have named it “Nine Foot Worm, Makes Own Food”.
That would be easier to remember.

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22

Thanks for sharing more infos about Tempus. I just emailed Rob (NA) to confirm that my Muon Pro filter definitely works better upstream, between router and switch.

  1. Grimm MU1/MU2 are different animals, they can easily negate the need of a switch upstream. Other brands like Innuos recommend a switch between router and server/streamer, NA itself seems to agree with that statement.
  2. Grimm MU1/MU2 seem also to minimize the impact of Ethernet cables, once again unlike others. Stealth and Pink Faun are my favorites. This is the reason why I don’t use the Muon Pro Ethernet cable, just the filter.
  3. NA System (filter + cable) seem to be a perfect match for Tempus. My guess is that the kind of server/streamer plays a role, I’m curious to experiment if the Innuos combo (Statement + PhoenixNET) may negate the benefit of Tempus switch used with other server/streamer brand. Time will tell.
  4. Merry Christmas
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23

Merry Christmas to all!

I moved Shunyata Omega ethernet from between satellite and SW6 back to between the streamer and SW10, and now I’m using a lowly Xangsane Silver Ethernet from the satellite (I like it better than Inakustik Ref.).

The reason is because after SW-6 added with an isolated ethernet input, the best cable in front of two switches may not be the best place to put it anymore. Also, I have two F.O. Links between two switches and between U2 and SW10. After I made the change, the SQ was much improved. The detail and clarity are remarkable. This means I just need to have one F.O. link in the chain, and it also means the best cable should be put closer to the streamer (only if you have isolated the noise upstream, otherwise every link is of the same importance).

I wanted to repalce Xangsane with Inakus. Ref. ethernet to see if the ethernet at two switches before will still make a difference. Then I remember @scotte1 has two of my ethernets to try out. Well, all these blah blah was that I hope I will not need a Muon Pro System in future.

Scottie, have you find out which one you like yet? Or do they all sound same to you?

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24

I have only plugged in the Inakustik so far. I seem to discern just a smidge more clarity in the upper frequencies.

After the holidays I will remove it from the system and listen to the “old” Wireworld cable to see if I miss it; before trying the other cable you so generously lent to me.

Thanks again, Donald.

SEE

[Let me know if my pace of play is too slow and I’ll make arrangements to send these back to you.]

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25

I like your plan of long listening; I often feel I do not listen to one setup long enough to truly learn how it does. But I became a upgrade tweaker lately; unfortunately.

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Plug & Like (or not) is the way… in my experience. Sometimes it happened that I liked something even more after a while but it never happened that I liked something that I didn’t like from the beginning. It’s a very wrong approach, I know, but that’s how I am. life is too short!

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27

Unless the upgrade is very substantial and obviously better “across the board” on first listen (which is relatively rare in my experience with cables, tweaks, etc.)* then I find long-term comparative listening beneficial to settling on whether something stays or goes.

[*Edit: I thought it might be worthwhile to to provide some examples of substantial and obvious system upgrades (in no particular order):

  • Adding DS Sr. as stand alone DAC to my Denon CD/SACD “Universal Player”

  • Spinning SACDs on a PSA DMP (with DS Sr.) instead of the Denon

  • Switching from Anti-Cables speaker cables to “Shadow Ribbon” speaker cables by Pine Tree Audio

  • Running Anthem Room Correction software via an AVM 20v Pre/Pro

  • Replacing the fuse in the PSA P10 Regenerator with the Swiss Digital Fuse Box digital breaker box system

  • Adding Auralex diffusor panels at the first and second side-wall reflection points.

FWIW/YMMV.

Cheers.

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28

That has been my experience too.

29

Couldn’t agree more.

Having said that I can hear different sounds also from the Ethernet cable put upstream. This week I made this test again, so I’m pretty sure. My conclusion was that the Pink Faun brings a lifelike sound while the Sablon deeper bass.

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30

Now I remember I have a Supra Cat8 ethernet hiding in storage somewhere. After holidays and after Japan vacation, I will switch the Xangsane silver with Supra to see if, and how much, a difference can I hear. I really hope the difference does not lead to a Muon Pro System in future.

Scottie, take as much time as you need, I hope you do not hear a “must have” difference in your system. :laughing:

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31

I had the Muon Pro system to demo at a lot of friends at home and it was really interesting that it always made a considerable improvement.
Regarding Ethernet cables, have you also experience with Audioquest Vodka and Diamond?

32

I own a pair of AQ Diamond. They are both in a drawer collecting dust.

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33

Having the MUON Pro between the Tempus and the streamer I currently use two AQ Diamond between Tempus and ISP modem & NAS.
What would be a recommended upgrade to the AQ Diamond in your view?

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34

I know that NA recommends your set up, it makes sense. But out of curiosity I encourage you to try:

  • the Muon Pro upstream (between the router and the Tempus)
    AND
  • your best cable downstream (between the Tempus and the streamer)

If you don’t like it, using your actual set up, I encourage you to try:

  • the Muon Pro connected to the Tempus via the short fixed cable
    AND
  • your best cable between the Muon Pro filter and the streamer

As you can imagine, I’m not a fan of the Muon Pro Ethernet cable. I posted a detailed comparison, scroll up this thread.

Best Ethernet cables?
Donald is very happy with the Shunyata Omega, that I have not heard (yet).
Sablon, it’s affordable and well known, you can read a lot on WBF and the owner is very responsive. I like it for naturalness, even if I found it very impactful on bass.
Pink Faun Interlink. My favorite for realism and lifelike voices, you can find it a little dark compared to Muon and others. I’m using it upstream.
Stealth ULTRA. My personal final choice, it has its own signature, like power cords of the same brand. Unlike the Pink Faun it’s alive and realistic as much as open and detailed. It brings life into music, neutrality and correct tonal balance, harmony on the entire spectrum. The best cable to have richness of musical information in an “organic” way. Really engaging, if you want to keep in contact with the music, A swapping collar enables the fine tuning, acting as a focus lens of a camera. I’m using it downstream, where I consider the different type of cable can play a crucial role.

Hope that helps.

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35

Not familiar with the Stealth Ultra Ethernet cable. I’ve heard of Black Magic Stealth. I have enjoyed your cable journey. Lots of good choices.

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36

Stealth Ethernet
Stealth Ethernet917×245 92.5 KB

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37

Don’t know where it falls in the Stealth lineup but there is a Stealth USB cable for sale on AudioCircle from a very reputable seller running an MBL speaker based system.

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38

Thanks for the tip buddy!
Believe it or not, I just got one of those yesterday. 1.5m instead of 1.0m and it cost me less. MMMMMM.

39

Thanks. You cannot find the new Ethernet ULTRA on their site unfortunately and the new USB with double collar, as well.
Officially they are both still unreleased by Stealth, don’t know why, but if you ask a dealer, he can quote an offer.

Ethernet ULTRA (mark 3:30)

USB Double Collar (mark 5:50)

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40

I have been mentioning Stealth Cables for a long time now. And I have way more hair then him. Does anybody listen? I guess some are beginning to. :slight_smile:

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