Minim Server on Innuos

[simoncn]

Thanks for this. Your observation that sound quality was improved by using isolation mode matches my experience that electronic noise pollution from the network can have a detrimental effect on sound quality.

My first attempt to filter out this noise was to use an optical link between the server and the streamer:

server -> Ethernet cable -> Ethernet/Optical converter -> optical cable -> Optical/Ethernet converter -> Ethernet cable -> streamer

I used a linear power supply on the Optical/Ethernet converter to reduce electronic noise coming down the Ethernet cable from this component. This combination resulted in a significant improvement to sound quality

Later, I added a Melco S100 switch which is optimized for audio and supports optical connections. I also changed the Ethernet/Optical converter from TP-Link to ADOT (see this link). This resulted in an even more significant improvement to sound quality.

I have not tried this with a Naim streamer, so these results might not be replicated in your setup.