Pimping your router

“Makes you wonder why those same 1’s and 0’s all intact and verified will sound better via extraneous methods and mediums..”

@mikem

It’s not so much about those 1’s and 0’s. In simple terms, it’s the reduction or elimination of ‘noise’ before the signal arrives in your DAC for analog conversion. As you know by lowering noise we get better resolution and dynamics. Your system is too good to be using a MacBook as a source to stream music. Try a decent dedicated streamer or server along with some of the suggestions outlined here and you are very likely to appreciate the bump in SQ.

Here is my digital streaming setup,
Apple router ➡️ Network Acoustics LAN Ag ➡️ ENO Ag Filter ➡️ Streamer ➡️ Network Acoustics USB III ➡️ DAC.

Everything matters and you already know that :-)

Good luck and enjoy music!

@lalitk 
Thanks for the response. That’s the typical answer I get every time yet with no real answer. If the ones and zeros are making it there in tact, then why can’t a simple filter be added in front of whatever to reduce any noise ? Why not use a balanced circuit and let CMR take care of it ? Why can’t  these 1’s and 0’s be read by something in front of the device and then put back without the noise if there is any actual noise that is detrimental ? Enjoy the music !  That’s what matters..

mikem165 posts05-11-2021 11:13am@lalitk 
Thanks for the response. That’s the typical answer I get every time yet with no real answer.

No real answer? You got a real answer multiple times by multiple members.

It sounds to me you don't like the answer. It is easy to dismiss something as "not real" if you don't like it. It also sounds to me your mind is already set in this stuff. Ultimately, the proof is the pudding, which in this case means trying for yourself. Of course, if you have any curiosity of doing so, and willing to experiment. Or you can continue to spend your time in the forums arguing about it. It won't get you anywhere

@antigrunge2 -- thank you for sharing your experiences. Very informative and educational. I have a couple of questions for you ...

1. You mention that adding a separate power supply for the router yields considerable benefits. What are the sonic benefits one might expect in this case? I'm using the Google Wifi Nest mesh system (one router and three points spread throughout the house). Both my streamers are connected to the router via ethernet though. What is a good power supply that is compatible with the Nest router that you would recommend?

2. What are you thoughts on getting an audiophile-grade network switch? I have a D-Link switch placed between the router and streamers. It's one of those cheap ones that I picked up for $20. I have been contemplating trying out either an English Electric 8Switch or EtherRegen. Just wondering what's your take on this.

TIA 

@mikem

How are you going to add a balanced circuit or a simple filter as you say to your existing signal chain? Perhaps you missed my point of isolating noise? Your laptop for instance is passing 1’s and 0’s along with the ‘noise’ via USB to your DAC. You should be asking yourself, how can I isolate this noise?

If you don’t believe or think consumer grade laptops are inherently noisy then this discussion is pretty much a moot point. Your laptop may sound fine to you and that’s quite okay. Can the sound be improved, sure if you care enough and open to exploring the possibilities. How about a simple test by inserting a USB purifier and see if you hear any audible difference in SQ.
https://www.amazon.com/iPurifier3-Audio-Signal-Filter-White/dp/B07DLMZP5Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CO2XRJP3Q...

The ENO filter in my scenario is filtering the noise from ethernet router and passing the 1’0 and 0’s to my streamer. It has made a profound audible difference in my signal chain and to my ears.