Wifi vs hardwired for streaming

I have to leave my WiFi 2.4 GHz band on due to IOT devices that use it (Ring, Ecobee, etc).

@larseand Just get Blue Jeans Cable. They assemble them with Belden cable and test to insure they are in category spec. They even send you the test report with the cable. And they aren’t expensive either.

My entire household LAN uses all BJC Cat6 cables and I get all the performance and reliability I need.

OTOH, if you want to spend $400 for a spool, plus the cost of tools and terminate cables yourself I'm impressed. :)

As long as all the 1s and 0s make it, shouldn't matter. 

I am using a Netgear Orbi mesh network.  I compared it to direct ethernet and cannot hear any difference.

If you want a better experience overall --for network and streaming-- use fiber. It is relatively inexpensive and there is no EMI along the run, and if your streamer accepts fiber you will not be conveying the noise into that audio device.  If you have a wired or wireless network, spend the 50$ to convert the last leg using a media converter such as:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8DN3HJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 ...Along with (as long as you need) single mode fiber cable.  Some streamers now accept SM fiber, so you would only need one media converter, not two.  If your streamer only accepts ethernet, buy a ***short***  quality piece (less than $50 by far) and segregate it from any other electrical/electronic cables. 

This will make a phenomenal difference that is better and cheaper than anything else you can do to your network.  You certainly do not need expensive switches, the internet protocols your streamer uses will guarantee that the data arrives as it was sent.. and the noise that would be introduced into your system will be stopped at the point of the media converter.  

Why does this work?

1) Because the data is the data and the protocols will guarantee its arrival without alteration - or failure.  If you have a poor connection, it just means you will encounter more retransmissions but the data will be the data as it was sent. You can interrogate your router or terminal digital point for retransmissions and errors - if you encounter more than a few, check all your connections inside your network path. Chances are your wireless will have more than your copper ethernet simply due to radio clutter.

2) Because you are limiting the noise that accompanies the digital connection INTO your audio streamer where it ***may*** introduce EM noise.

There is absolutely no need for special $900 ethernet cables or absurd switches etc if you convert the last leg to fiber. There is no need to obsessively upgrade every piece of network gear and media with ridiculous and expensive storytelling:

The data is the data as sent. There either is additional noise on the line or there isn't. It is the noise that is the issue, not the data. If you do not understand networking theory and practice, have an expert explain the same thing to you. Otherwise, feel free and spend money on things that will not make anywhere as much difference as this $50 fix.