WiFi streaming — streamer vs. through iPad
I’m currently streaming Qobuz in my HeadFi rig to my DAC via my iPad via an upgraded dongle and USB cable and was pretty happy til I hooked up my CD transport and realized it sounds much better than than streaming. After speaking with some folks here I’ve since realized I need to get a dedicated streamer hardwired to my router to up my streaming performance, but I’ve got a couple situations where going hardwired won’t be possible and will be forced to use WiFi. My question is, if I’m using WiFi would there still be a sonic benefit to using a streamer (I’m planning on getting an iFi Zen Stream BTW) versus going wired through my iPad or will using WiFi completely nullify any sonic advantages the streamer brings? Thanks for any thoughts/advice.
A streamer with only an Ethernet port does not require hard wiring. Just get a wall wart WiFi extender and plug in next to the streamer.. then plug into that. $59 solution. Mine and many $100K systems work great off of that.
I have streamed, as you, have from PC, Macs, iPads… you want a dedicated streamer. Whole different category. My vinyl and streaming sound the same. You can see my system under my ID. But this can be done in different price categories. |
We have a lot of experience here a wifi to ethernet extender can work well the only issue is if you are trying to acess other roon endpoints which won't work through roon
However if your deal is to just use the server or streamer In this new access point that will work well
The reason most servers only offer ethernet is speed abd reliability however we have set up servers this way and they worked perfectly
DAVE AND troy AUDIO INTELLECT nj STREAMING SPECIALISTS |
I use this little wireless bridge to then hardwire to my streamer/DAC: TPLink N300. Aside from being tiny and unobtrusive it has the benefit of being powered by 5V micro USB so I was able to use a spare linear power supply to further enhance it. I was using a USB wifi dongle in the SOtM sMS-200ultra streamer I had at the time and was shocked at how much better the sound was with hardwire via wifi bridge. Also switching out a generic ethernet cable for a Supra CAT8 brought a very noticeable improvement I was not expecting.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQEX8BO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
The TP Link AC750 looks interesting to me — thanks @eugene81 @ghdprentice @audiotroy from your experience do you have any WiFi extender recommendations that have worked particularly well?. Thanks a lot guys! This has been SUPER helpful. |
