Can an Ethernet filter system really improve audio quality via stream? Speaking of the Muon 2 Precision Network, and there's a link there.
ASKED BY · Mike Edwards · NEW YORK · 14 OCT 2026 · ▶ 00:00:22
Agrees with skepticism; notes digital signals are ones and zeros; acknowledges EMI could theoretically help in extreme RF environments but otherwise unnecessary.
Recommends against spending $7,600 on the product; suggests it's likely epoxy fill rather than functional filtering.
Likely contains epoxy padding; people have debunked this by opening the device; compares to other audio placebo products like green CD markers.
The filter can reduce EMI noise on Ethernet cables, similar to ground lifters, but only helps if equipment is sensitive and lacks proper noise protection; caution against snake oil.
Summarised by AI from what the panel said. Watch the moment for the full answer.
From the transcript.
Machine-transcribed, so it may contain errors. Every timestamp opens the episode at that second.
0:01Good morning. Hey, welcome to Office Hours. We have an exciting show today, a bunch of fun questions. A little later, I'm going to make a big announcement, and I hope you all choose to take advantage of that. I do want to say that there's this QR code, which is one way that you can ask a question of us live. We will get into more of that later.
0:22And I think our first question came in through a whole new way that we take questions. So, Alexander, why don't you read the first question? First question is coming in this morning from Mike Edwards in New York. Morning, everyone. Can an Ethernet filter system really improve audio quality via stream? Speaking of the Muon 2 Precision Network, and there's a link there. Ronnie, what's this thing do?
0:49Well, it's almost like my first thought was this is snake oil. oil, but actually there is some features of this concept that is actually going to work if your equipment is really sensitive for noise. In the normal audio world, we have something called ground lifter and that intend to kind of remove the electrical circuits going between different types of equipment. equipment. And what this filter is actually doing, so the ones and zeros are arriving at
1:26your equipment just as they are expected with timing and everything. But on all cables, there are some noise that get in there by electromagnetics or power cables that are close by, et cetera. So it will introduce noise to those cables. And even if Ethernet itself is working perfectly between devices, the noise added to that connection can impact your hi-fi equipment. So to some extent it can filter out if your equipment is really sensitive and does not
2:02actually apply good measures of protecting itself against noise. So I would say kind of in a gnarly way. If your equipment is not good enough, maybe this really expensive filter will almost get it good enough. So I would just suggest that you really do some really deep digging into the features and the ways this is working, just to be sure that you're not buying snake oil.
2:32Jason, what do you think of this thing? $7,600 United States dollars. Every moment of like, and again, I'm not calling you a fool, Mike. Bullet dodged. Please don't spend money on this. My friend in college used to call ground lifters ungrounders. Mickey, what is this thing?
3:20Yeah, this thing is, I would bet, most likely a box filled with epoxy. That's about it. Filled with your money. A bunch of Ethernet covers. But it's monster epoxy. Some Ethernet cable in there just to send it in and out and just epoxy giving it weight. A lot of people have debunked this by purchasing one of these things, opening them up and literally just seeing some epoxy in there.
3:51Oh, really? So I would say, hey, what's the name of this scam company? Network Acoustics. Hey, Network Acoustics, send one to Courtney. Have Courtney actually give a Courtney official honest review, as Courtney is known to do. And if there is really a positive effect on the digital Ethernet connection in there, I'll buy two. And here's the other thing. A Courtney review usually lasts about 10 or 15 minutes.