Network optimization for serious streamers


In my ongoing experiments, now going on seven years, with network optimization for streaming I've discovered a number of optimizations that should work with any ethernet ISP.

 

I've tried a variety of ethernet cables, modems, routers, switches, FMC, ethernet filters, the following is what I've found to be most effective optimizations.

 

I'll start with ISP quality and speed. Recently I discovered 500mbps to be preferable to 300mbps. Along with upgrade in speed, modem capable of 1gb service replaced 600mbps, both have Broadcom chips and powered by same lps. Can't say which more responsible for improvement, speed or modem, presume speed has at least some role in ping time. As for ISP, there is importance in ISP server geographic location to you, shorter distances  means lower ping time. For information as to how ping time affects jitter-https://www.fusionconnect.com/speed-test-plus/ping-jitter-test

 

Now for modems,  modem close to audio system is most favorable, extending coax cable preferable to long ethernet cable. Coax more resistant to rfi and closer positioning to system means one can more easily afford top quality ethernet cable for modem to router connection. The modem should use Broadcom chipset vs. inferior Intel Puma, Broadcom chipset has lower jitter vs the Intel. Modem should be powered via external lps using quality DC and AC cables, lps to power conditioner for ultimate performance.

 

Following close positioning of modem to audio system, router should also be placed near modem in service of same advantage of making highest quality ethernet cable more affordable, in this case, modem to router and router to switches, streamers and NAS. Router should be powered with lps, this lps should be able to provide more amps than router requires in service of providing greater reliability, having lps with reserves of amperage means lps runs cooler, heat is enemy of reliability, longevity. As with modem, quality dc, ac cables and connection to power conditioner.

 

The next finding is new to me, provides very meaningful upgrade to streaming sound quality. Noise from wifi, injected both internally to router and externally with routers sitting close to audio systems has long been a concern to me. I have quality Trifield meter which measures rfi, router with operational wifi manufacture obscenely high levels of rfi, rfi is noise, noise is enemy of streaming at level we're talking about here. And its very likely the more wifi devices one has in home the higher the levels of rfi produced. This noise is then injected into following cables and streaming equipment. One may convince themselves FMC totally isolates this noise, and while correct, it doesn't mitigate the noise and masking going on within router. The only way to eliminate this noise is turning off wifi. And then, how to provide wifi for the many  wifi devices we have at home? The answer is to connect a second router to the primary router. The primary router will only provide ethernet for streamers, switches and/or NAS in audio system, also for the second router.  Second router provides wifi for the home, this scheme keeps vast majority of rfi out of audio system streaming chain. My own measurements find rfi significantly diminished in primary router, more than mulitiples of ten times lower vs wifi enabled. This was seamless install with the Netgear routers I'm using. There may also be value in provisioning higher quality routers. My new primary router, Netgear XR1000 is marketed as a gamer router, claims of lower ping time, latency, jitter vs other routers. Since my old router, Netgear RS7000 didn't have means to monitor ping time I can't provide evidence of this claim. Whatever the case, my XR1000 ping time test measurements are as follows, 25.35ms highest, 16.50ms lowest, this is A+ measurements against objective criteria. Ping time under load is download 25.93ms, upload 37.34ms, idle 17.31ms, this rates as A. My speed of 565gbps rates B grade, likely need 1gb service to get A here. At to how this all pertains to sound quality, adding up the upgrade in ISP speed and the off loading of wifi is without a doubt one of the most substantial, if not most substantial network upgrades I've experienced. While I  long considered my setup as having a vanishing low noise floor, with this setup I heard a new level of vanishing if such a thing is possible. Even more astounding was a more analog like presentation, while I wasn't aware of even the slightest digital presentation prior, this upgrade certainly exposed it was indeed there. It seems logical to conclude there has been some lowering of jitter here.

 

And then we come to the ethernet filter. I suppose audiophile switches can be considered as one, then we have actual filters such as Network Acoustics Muon, my JCAT Net XE and others. I continue to believe these necessary even with the all measures above.

 

Optical conversion is also valid approach post router. While I found generic FMC somewhat effective, at this point I prefer ethernet. On the other hand I've not yet tried optimizing a fiber solution, for example two Sonore OpticalModules, both powered by lps, further upgraded with Finisar optical transceivers.

 

Assuming one has high resolving audio and streaming systems the above network optimizations should provide for substantial sound quality improvements. In my system, perception of performers in room has been taken to a new level of intimacy, meaning a more emotional connection to the performers and performance.

 

At this point, I consider network has been fully optimized, the only upgrade I'm aware of would be ISP upgrade to 1gb.

sns

You're very welcome, would like to see these custom builds get some traction at this forum. Worst part of these builds is procuring the parts, assembling is fun!

 

@thieliste and others. I've had Finisar 1475's and new optical cable burning in for several hours, all streaming tracks, no local files off NAS purposely,  playing for several hours, not a single drop out I've detected. I'm burning in without listening so if there's micro second drop outs may not detecting, but second counter on Roon is showing absolutely no hiccups. Simple plug n play with my Sonore and network, everything exactly as before. Listening for later in week.

@sns I haven’t kept up with the novel that unfolded here. But I wanted to post Hans’ video as another possible consideration for upstream digital optimization. In this video, Hans reviews the SOtM sCLK OCX10 clock. He only uses it with the SOtM streamer in this review, but I’m seeing for the first time that clocks can be used with network switches too. It looks like SOtM and EtherRegen switches have inputs for 10MHz clocks. Do you know of components even farther upstream that accept clock inputs? Like servers?

I understand that high quality clocks are very important in pro audio gear (like audio interfaces) and in audiophile streamers and DACs. But I don’t understand how gear upstream from the stream could benefit from a higher quality clock. And I didn’t know there was even a market for external clocks for upstream gear until yesterday.

 

Yesterday been comparing Finisar 1421BTL, 1324BTL and 1318BTL.

I much prefer 1318 over the other 2, it is much more resolving, has more slam and a wider soundstage.

1318 is basically at the same level as 1475 IMO, 1318 can still be purchased new at Mouser.

My server is a fanless Roon Rock NUC powered by a Farad super 3 LPS going into my PP Quad Switch and off to Aqua LinQ streamer with HQPlayer core module.

 

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As far as clocks and networks go, clocking in routers and switches, clocks in streamers, clocks in dac. I have upgraded OXCO clocks in everything but router. I don't believe one needs external separate clock if good clocks are contained within the above components. I believe one the reasons some prefer switches to routers or as add ons to networks is the less than optimum clocks in routers. So, I assume clock in new Netgear is not of highest quality, but then measuring ping time with it jitter is non issue, but then this is on input, output jitter unknown. So, in fact this could be weakest jitter link in my entire chain. But then I tried audiophile router in order to bypass this limitation in my other Netgear router, sound quality diminished with addition of this switch with it's superior OXCO clock! And I'm not the only one who's found audiophile switches or any switch to NOT be of any benefit. Reason I now keep it simple, router direct to streamer and NAS.  I'd like to try a router with an OXCO clock, this would retain my direct route, add top flight clock. This would tell me if optimized clocks in routers of any benefit.

 

I'll also reiterate I presume top flight clocking critically important in streamers. The JCAT Net XE board in my streamer goes to great lengths to provide first class network filtering, clocking and maintain dynamics, assuming power supplies on these boards impact dynamics. While I haven't tried the Femto clock version of these boards, the OXCO clock on XE board, based on many reviewers, is far superior to Femto clock version. For non Windows based motherboard streamers, one will have to decipher from manufacturers literature how optimized ethernet port is. I assume vast majority connect directly to motherboard relying on mb power supply and clocking, not optimal way to go. Assume this is why so many derive great benefit from external filters, clocks on LAN lines into streamers.

 

All the Sonore equipment also attentive to clocking, superior clocking in both OM and OR, no need for external clocking. I did have SOTM SMS 200Neo, this without external clock provision, recall individuals claiming version with external clock provision when used with external clock superior to my version.

 

For myself, think I prefer optimized clocking within each component. This because it makes more tidy network, and Ed Meitner's contention that external clocking is a joke, effective clocking attained through clocks being placed closest position possible to circuit it's affecting. I believe one can find his thoughts on this on EMM Labs website, or perhaps I read it on audiophilestyle forum?

 

Can't wait to hear effect of 1475 in Sonore, not sure what to expect, everything so fine tuned now, curious if this upsets apple cart. I wouldn't want voicing to be changed one iota, if things remain neutral while adding resolution/transparency I'll be happy camper. Over the entirety of 16/44 sampling rates it continues to amaze how much the lowly cd quality has to give, would never have believed this much info available from where this started in 1980's. I recall just absolutely terrible sound quality from early digital, just amazing what we've come to! I couldn't care less about up and over sampled streaming or cd rips. Perhaps the 1475 will prove cd quality amazing all over again.