I knew that statement of (no need to run a hard line because wireless is just as good) was coming. I'll get my popcorn🍿
How do I switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet cables?
My Bluesound Node currently receives Wi-Fi, but I'd like to switch to a direct link. I assume that would be with an ethernet cable from the modem to the Bluesound - with possibly a better switch between the two.
The problem is that my modem is in the basement and the Bluesound is on a different floor. There is not a clear path for running cable.
Is there a piece of equipment or technology that I could help in this situation?
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- 72 posts total
If you end up running any wire, I would suggest cat out to a fibre media converter, make the long run to where your dac sits with optical fiber, then use another media converter for optical back to ethernet with a very short, shielded cat 6/7/8 cable. Should not only “clean up” any analog interference from the router side, but also, as optical isn’t affected over that run from electromagnetic interference, you’d end up with a pretty dang clean signal to the dac. |
Repeaters halve your available bandwidth by their very nature. Don't do it. Wifi6 supports multiple simultaneous streams and is a very good idea - but all your equipment has to support it. Mesh routers help even out coverage and the best ones support a dedicated backhaul to the master. They can work wonders if you have coverage problems. Contrary to the nay-sayers, wiring up your system will not get you better zeroes and ones. That's simply not how Ethernet works. After you recable with Cat 6 wire, rather than use patch cables of the same Belden wire, they would have you believe that $100 or $200 or more for a 10 ft patch cables will somehow sound better. But none of them can come up with a shred of a theory or facts or data to support their claims. Like Bill Maher says, "I can't prove it, but I know it's true...[insert punchline]". My two cents, as someone who has worked with Ethernet for almost 40 years, put in a good WiFi 6 mesh router setup, put a good network analyzer on your phone and learn how to assign WiFi to unused channels that give you good signal strength. That is the state of the art. |
I compared a couple of wi-fi set ups from 1, 5,10 feet to the Node 130, and direct cabling with a 1 meter ethernet cable I had laying around.....there was a definite audible benefit to going wired direct. Even more noticeable was upgrading the cable to a Supra Audio Cat 8 and/or an Audioquest Vodka ethernet cable. Do I care that there is no technological reason for that to be true? No. |
Cat 8 Ethernet cables are best, as shielding is part of the specification. I've had success with DbillionDa as they have 4 shielded foiled twisted pair(F/FTP). They are available up 150ft long, so an electrician might be able to help you find a way to get it to your room. |
- 72 posts total