WiFi Satellite Causing Phono Stage Interference

I'm assuming you are using Ethernet from the Orbi to your streamer?  Ethernet is almost completely immune to ground loops (it's designed to be isolated).  If you are using a power conditioner, keep the Orbi's wall wart out of the clean side.  If not, consider replacing the wall wart with an iFi equivalent.

In all cases though try to keep the wifi part as far from the phono stages as possible, and use fully shielded interconnects and/or power cables.  Fully shielded power cables can be had relatively cheaply (~ $30).

Actually, replace the wall wart no matter what. :)

@erik_squires 

Yes, I have the Ethernet going directly from the Orbi to the streamer.

I have a Mac Power Conditioner (Controller) and the Orbi is plugged into it, with all the other components. Not sure what it means to keep it out of the clean side?  Does that mean not to plug the Orbi into the power conditioner?

All the cabling is Clarus Crimson, so I think my cables, power cords and interconnects are good.

You are suggesting getting a new iFi equivalent power cord for the Orbi? Is that correct?  Where would I find such a thing?

Thanks again for the help.

Hey OP,

If you put a noise source on the "clean side" of a power conditioner you can dirty the power you just cleaned up. Of course, this depends on a lot of things, including whether or not there are multiple filter banks or not.

Regardless of brand or $$$ spent, you need to make sure your cables are shielded, which many expensive brands are not. You can test this out somewhat by moving the cables around. Usually when an interconnect is acting as an antenna it’s relatively easy to hear/see the response when you push them around.

iFi makes wall wart replacements which are much cleaner and create less noise into the power line than your average wall power adapter.

If at all possible, I'd move your mesh receiver as far as possible from your stereo.  Ethernet is REALLY good, so even if you run 10' of it so your wifi units are on the other side of the room it's worth it if it keeps the rest of your system quiet.

https://amzn.to/49ahiSz

I'm giving you a lot of different ideas based on different possible causes.

The most likely cause is probably proximity of a radio source to the turntable and interconnect cables.  The next is RF pickup in the phono stage itself, and lastly a power issue.

If you can move your mesh receiver as far from your streamer as possible, and use Ethernet to cover that distance you will probalby solve it all.

@erik_squires 

Hey Eric, just an FYI for ya, and for me actually.  I purchased a iFi power cord.  I tried that cord where the Orbi is (has been).  Some minor change but didn’t remove the fluttering phono stage meter. Then I moved the Orbi away and tried both the original power cord and the iFi power cord. No change in the fluttering meter at all.  Same as when it was adjacent to the system.

So, I just said screw it.  I unplugged every Orbi in the house and complete turned off all the WiFi.  No change is the fluttering meter.  So, it must be something else.  What I don’t know.  It solved the problem in the old house, but not this one.

But, after all the dinking, the meter doesn’t flutter as drastically as it did.  So, I’m at a loss for now.