WiFi streaming — streamer vs. through iPad

I do not think you are going to hear a difference between an extender and mesh. I have had a friend that has had noting but problems with mesh. Mesh is just newer. So, tne bugs will get worked out. But. My experience suggests the biggest difference is in the streamer you use. The better the streamer, the better it isolates and sounds better with any input.

So after listening to and learning a lot from all the great info here, I’ve decided to dip my toe in on the cheap to get an idea of what improvements I’ll get in my system running hard wired vs. just using WiFi.  I bought a TP-Link RE650 used in very good condition for $67 that I’ll connect to the Zen Stream through a 1m Wireworld Starlight 8 Ethernet cable I found for $200.  I’m thinking AC wire line noise might not be as big an issue as the TP-Link will be powered through an Audience power conditioner that I’d think will mitigate the impacts of any line noise.  So while certainly not a SOTA setup I figure this will be at least good enough to compare WiFi to hard wired with the Zen Stream and I’ll just upgrade from there as necessary or desired.  Thanks again(!!!) for all your help here — you not only enabled me to get started but also provided great info for future potential upgrades (Mesh, fiber, ENO, etc.) that I’ll inevitably be exploring in the future.  I’ll follow up with my findings after I get everything settled in case anyone might be interested. 

Definitely follow up! 
One item to note - WiFi extenders and mesh network nodes generate noise. Just keep an eye/ear on it when you have your extender close to your audio components and cables. I had to move the eero mesh node I use to feed my Lumin streamer away from my phono stage and cables as it was spilling over and creating all kinds of noise. It’s better to run a longer Ethernet cable and keep you wifi module away from your system.  

OP,

‘’Great move. I look forward to hearing the results you experience.