Pimping your router

@antigrunge2 

Just realised you were first to suggest using a wired router only, and offboarding a separate wi-fi router if required. Even before @sns suggested it !!

But regarding LPS, I always championed them and found they improved everything non network, but when it comes to switches and routers sometimes its the reverse and the stock SMPS is better.

Maybe I just do not have enough LPS on hand to find the correct one for network gear. In the meantime I found the iFi X and iFi Elite SMPS power supplies work great with network hardware, a step above stock SMPS.

@agisthos

my general experience is that eliminating noise as close as possible to the source has substantial advantages to trying at later stages. Equally applies to improving your power: heavy work on junction and fuse box (e.g. Akiko Audio), separate spur with quality outlet (e.g. Furutech) and well shielded solid core rather than litz power cords (e.g. Acoustic Revive) have benefits stronger than subsequent power filters or conditioners.

in LPS I use a Zerozone 2020 on Router and Etherregen and a Sean Jacobs Dc3/4 on DAC and clock as well as Kingrex on Acoustic Revivr RR77. The problem with wallwarts is that they kick back grunge into the mains which then has a tendency to show up elsewhere in my experience.

 

...while I originally used the Acoustic Revive RLT1 filter on my streamer and then Etherregen, I have now moved it to the Draytek Vigor 2860 router, i.e. right at the entry point of public ADSL. The resultant clean up of soundstage, insteument timbre, attack and decay is simply unbelievable. Very highly recommended.

I will end up moving things around a little when the SmoothLan arrives:

- Acoustic Revive RLI-1GB-Triple C LAN Isolator between router and first network switch

Need to install a 30 feet length of ethernet cable (probably Supra Cat8). Then...

- Pink Faun LAN Isolator from wall ethernet outlet to 2nd network switch

- Stack Audio SmoothLan between 2nd network switch and streamer 

@jerrybj

have a look at Zoerax Cat8 on Aliexpress. I used Onti Cat8 originally and had to switch to it when Onti was discontinued. Great cables, both.

@jerrybj any SmoothLAN impressions yet?