Streaming vs Physical Media

“Some manufacturers are further along this path than are others.”

@charles1dad

No doubt! Taiko remains the standard bearer in this category. I came so close to head to head comparison between Taiko and Aurender N30SA but end up going in a different direction. No regrets :-)

@lalitk

Every streamer or server out there regardless of price simply benefits from noise filters placed in between server or streamer and your router.

Yes, I have one myself. I believe the manufacturers should be able to do this better if it’s part of the design of their server/streamer, though. Maybe no one has done it yet, maybe they’re just becoming aware of the problem, like jitter in the early years of cd players?

Maybe it will take a purpose-designed router, cable and streamer system? I think someone will get it right before too long.

When I watch football match on tv, I use to listen streaming music from tidal or from my NAS. But when I want to LISTEN music, then only vinyl or cd (44,1khz from cec transport)!

@jji666 

You comment on audio packets being streamed over TCP/IP perfectly is correct - the IP packets will arrive at their destination in correct order using checksum calculations, it's all part of the robustness of this comms technology.

Noise is not at all relevant during the IP packet sending stage (unless you are getting obvious dropouts), because as I said earlier the IP packets will be in the correct order on arrival to the receiving device.

Noise can only enter the end device (streamer) by physical contact, for example over an Ethernet lead - so maybe a good quality Ethernet lead at the very end is all you need.

If you have an excellent wireless connection - then the only issue is how well  the wireless receiver in the streamer is being shielded from the rest of the electronics. If there are no dropouts over Wi-Fi then all the IP packets will be received in the correct order and therefore there is certainly no need for audiophile switches and leads for obvious reasons.

In summary - IP packets in a good network will always get to their destination in the correct order (i.e. the streamer) - so from a binary perspective connectivity will always be perfect. It's the physical connection only which could introduce noise that you may have to deal with.

No server or streamer is ‘completely’ immune to noise being transmitted through your mass produced routers. A server like Taiko at $30K may do a better job than others at rejecting incoming noise but nonetheless still susceptible to incoming noise. Every streamer or server out there regardless of price simply benefits from noise filters placed in between server or streamer and your router. 

the inherent noise issues associated with streaming.

Just to add balance, there are many network knowledgeable people who do not believe there is an "inherent noise" associated with streaming.  Keep in mind these types of beliefs sell products, just like dietary supplements and copper bracelets.

Not saying none of it has any effect.  But caveat emptor just like everything else.  Audiogon isn't immune to mythology.