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Wifi vs ethernet revisited

For this discussion I want us to forget the usual problems of wifi: stuttering, buffering, loss of signal strength. Let’s assume we have a strong, reliable wireless connection. Questions: how would you rank the following:

1. [No wireless, my current config] Ethernet from router -> Switch (or OM) -> fiber -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

2. Eero wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> streamer.

3. Eero Wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

Or, to really go hybrid and (probably nuts):

4. Eero wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> Switch (or OM) -> fiber -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

I haven’t done [4] yet. But to my ears, [1] definitely beats {2] and (less emphatically maybe) beats [3] even though I have a very strong Eero wireless mesh system. Maybe my assumptions to begin with are still wrong? I can’t seem to read a good forum thread where the usual stuttering’/buffering problems (that we all know about) are removed. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

debrajray
sns
4,218 posts
 

@debrajray My thought along same line in a router, simplify the setup. Why do you need 2.5gb lan, you have super high speed internet provider? While I haven't checked lately, always on lookout for audiophile router.

 

My issue with SFP in router is I'm not aware of any audiophile SFP card for my custom server. Using JCAT Netcard XE in server so this mean fiber conversion post server which feeds the OpticalRendu streamer.

 

I've always considered adding a switch to be redundant/needless complexity for audio streaming, the audiophile switch I tried resulted in much poorer sound quality.

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

@sns  Agreed, each additional switch adds an unneeded layer; so the router with SFP seemed like a good call. It is unclear to me what "audiophile SFP" would mean TBH, though I do agree that I liked some transceivers more than others.

I need the 2.5 because I have a 2gb symmetric internet connection that I actually use for moving large files (not audio). Or at least I would prefer to have this; "need" may be too strong a word.

bassbuyer's avatar
bassbuyer
909 posts
 

I’ve tried the same and find that a good Ethernet cable (I use a 6A from Blue Jeans cable made to length) from the router or from an Eero pod works better than Wi-Fi.  The streamer is important too.  My Innuos Zen MK3 improved the sound when I upgraded from my Bluesound Node N130 as a streamer.  

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

@sns This is the one I am going to try: ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700). It has wifi alas which I will disable. 

sns
4,218 posts
 

@debrajray Looks very nice, presume you'll be using LPS with this. Let us know your results.

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