Thats what I figured the answer would be. Its kind of the main point of a streamer after all. Guess I’ll have to keep playing with setup ideas for work. I think a wireless Hotspot + ethernet hub is probably still my best bet which kinda sucks given how clunky that will be. I guess at least that lets me stop getting nasty grams from IT for streaming music -.-…
My old Aurender allowed me to be 100% offline
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My problem is that I would like to stream and do local files, but if I want to use my work’s internet I have to use a USB connection from a dual GPU workstation (thats probably dumb noisy) cause we don’t allow outside devices on the network in any capacity (I can’t even use my personal laptop/iPad that work refunded me for because they don’t directly control the device, and our guest network kicks you off every 15 minutes to avoid stuff just chilling on it)
Edit: seems this convo is probably better suited for a more general thread at this point tbh
@M0N
Random question: Have you tried the following? Load a playlist from your Squeeze (I assume you are still using Squeeze player). Then, walk up and disconnect your ethernet and completely have it free from the internet, including for controls only, and listen to how it sounds?
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No, but that sounds interesting, I’ll have to try that
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Definitely let me know your impressions
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Hm, well this is interesting, it sounds worse with no ethernet plugged in, sounds better plugged in, overall without ethernet plugged in feels somewhat more dimensionally flatter and a bit more relaxed. Will need to test this further when I get more time, wonder why that is, would have expect it to improve, I have no idea how that works (noise sink using ethernet? no fucking clue, as always this stuff defies all logic)
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Maybe as simple as something as the device constantly looking for the connection creating more noise. Or some weird buffer.
Or maybe the ethernet chord physically plugged a hole where bad voodoo comes in.
I am guessing M0N’s solution of adding all of the junk to help clean up the ethernet has a net benefit.
That was my thought as well
I’m in the no idea camp.
Ethernet is entirely differential, it has no ground to carry noise on unless its using POE.
Could be a change in behavior of the PHY on disconnect, could just be some spike in CPU behavior triggered by the loss of connection (though that would surprise me).
I’ll put it down to the same thing I put all of these seemingly inexplainable things down to, it changed something.
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It would be interesting to see if a cable disconnect had a different effect depending on what side the cable was disconnected from, or if just the port was disabled vs physically disconnected.
No, don’t go there, i don’t even want to think of the concept of disconnecting a cable and leaving an open plug making a difference in a piece. I wish i had not looked at this thread at all…booga, booga, get the thought out of my head… 
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So 2 days in with adding the s20 and s60 to the s30 and I wanna say the imaging has improved a lot. Each instrument is separated much more concise than before. It sounds like more depth, height, and width, but honestly I think it its just the imaging and separation. Certain sounds just have an extra little element to them. Things are just more euphoric or snappy depending on the sound. It’s interesting because I don’t really think its more detailed per se, just brings out the specific recording more with placements and transitions.
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Anybody familiar with the former TOTL (pre K50), the DX2?
If i were to redo it, I’d only focus on the k or s series
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The more I think about these servers, the more I’m convinced that their greatest value is when used at a direct source for your DAC.
The bridge/storage portion of the server is important, but the real heavy lift in these things is their ability to output the digital stream right to an onboard integrated reclocler/usb purifier.
I’m convinced that they’re probably the way to go, but I’m also not convinced that they’re the only way to go.
You have CX/EX, right?
Correct
P.s. i also value having the signal coming out of the source to be as correct and clean as possible before it hits my dac and the rest of my system
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Got a k50 recently (previously using Qobuz via pc, now using Qobuz via roon). A few people were curious on my thoughts so I thought I would just post here.
Early impressions is the staging is more intimate but more depth. Hard to describe but the sound is more “weighty” and “forceful”. System sounds absolutely unbelievable to my ears but I’m pretty confused how much of that is the addition of the k50 since the system was already mind boggling before. Will continue listening and maybe go back to the pc to compare. Etherregen arriving soon and I’ll try local files (instead of Qobuz streaming) soon.
Chain: k50 via audience usb ->Mscaler via silver dragon BNC ->Dave via aq earth xlr->3es elite->Shangri la
Power: powerplant 3 (stock cable), k50 (stock cable), Mscaler (stock psu), Dave (aq blizzard), 3es elite (aq blizzard)
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