Minim Server on Innuos

[Seedcake]

(25-05-2024 21:03)simoncn Wrote:  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.

Thank you Simon, all good food for thought. I understand, all these interventions are to isolate the audio components from the network. When you introduced the Melco switch, because this supports optical connections you then only need one ethernet/optical converter, rather than two, in that the switch is connected to the converter via a SFP port for the fibre and then the converter connects to the server? I have now read some very favourable reviews of the ADOT MC01 that suggest having a SFP equipped network switch is the ideal combination. But if this were done would it still be best to replace the QNAP?