Interesting findings with the help of other forums. BTW, I tried this both wired Ethernet and WIFI.
1) I tried several types of Ethernet isolators and found them to improve things, some better than others. The 1GHz versions were not always better than the lower B/W versions. I use CAT7 cables with them.
2) Then I improved the power to my router by powering with a fast reacting LPS. Big improvement.
3) Finally, I tied the earth ground from the power cord of the LPS to the DC common of the LPS. This made yet another improvement.
These three things elevated the Ethernet playback with my Overdrive SX DAC well above the performance with my XMOS USB interface with galvanic isolation. Both of these interfaces (USB and Ethernet) have identical clocking circuitry and clocks. I don't believe there is anything more I can do to USB to make it better. It just eventually hit the wall.
The Ethernet was able to go further. I was always a USB proponent, having designed 6 generations, but now I'm going Ethernet 100%.
Just thought I might share this.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
1) I tried several types of Ethernet isolators and found them to improve things, some better than others. The 1GHz versions were not always better than the lower B/W versions. I use CAT7 cables with them.
2) Then I improved the power to my router by powering with a fast reacting LPS. Big improvement.
3) Finally, I tied the earth ground from the power cord of the LPS to the DC common of the LPS. This made yet another improvement.
These three things elevated the Ethernet playback with my Overdrive SX DAC well above the performance with my XMOS USB interface with galvanic isolation. Both of these interfaces (USB and Ethernet) have identical clocking circuitry and clocks. I don't believe there is anything more I can do to USB to make it better. It just eventually hit the wall.
The Ethernet was able to go further. I was always a USB proponent, having designed 6 generations, but now I'm going Ethernet 100%.
Just thought I might share this.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio