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To extend Ethernet to remote location, are Powerline extenders or Mesh systems better?

I am trying to get Ethernet into a listening room that is not prewired, and it is not practical to run the hard cable through the old house into that room. I am planning to use a new music streamer that requires Ethernet connection (no wifi).

For hifi purposes, for passing the music signal, not just for computer equipment, are ethernet over powerline units better, or are wifi mesh router systems (which bring an ethernet port into a room using wireless transfer between the mesh devices) better?

For Ethernet over powerlines, I am worried about contaminating the power lines feeding the stereo preamplifier/amplifier, I don’t know if hifi power conditioners will filter out that super high frequency noise well enough.

For wifi mesh, it seems that the wireless handling of the music signal to feed the remote Ethernet port might somehow degrade the sound and introduce other problems that a connected wireline would avoid.

I am not a person that understands these technologies deeply, so I would value perspectives from others here who are users and who may be technically more qualified to understand this stuff.

troidelover1499
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deadhead1000's avatar
deadhead1000
714 posts
 

Mesh or powerline. My wiring is pretty new and being on the same circuit as the router, the powerline worked the best for me. I found the powerline much easier to set up then the mesh I had. Extenders for me were always a headache. TP Link is what I have used with the most success and least amount of trouble.

dmcneilr's avatar
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dmcneilr
21 posts
 

+1 for TP-Link. Have (2) on Lumin streamers at opposite ends of the house and they sound as good as my other hardwired streamer. 

hickamore
659 posts
 

+1 for TP Link. Get the top end model, not costly and works flawlessly with extender 20' (as the wire runs) from the streamer that it feeds.

richtruss
163 posts
 

All extenders, either WiFi based or ‘over the mains’ based will put unwanted noise out along with the Ethernet signal via their RJ45 socket.

If you using either of these devices then simple steps can be taken to remove as much unwanted noise as possible.

1. Use a ‘decoupling switch’ - any switch is better than no switch. A simple 4 port D-Link or TP Link switch will do, with an iFi iPower PSU. Plug a RJ45 cable from the extender into the switch, and then another RJ45 cable from the switch to the streamer. This will reduce noise quite a bit and will give a lift in sound quality, makes it more natural sounding.

2. Use a good passive Ethernet Filter on the leg between the switch and the streamer. This will further reduce noise giving even better, bigger, more enjoyable sound.

 

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