I’d try a Wi-Fi extender like the TP-Link AC2600 MU-MIMO and run an Ethernet cable into your streamer from the extender rather than using Wi-Fi and see if that works. If that doesn’t work, get a better router and stop having to deal with this crap and still use the extender cause you’ll still be better off than Wi-Fi. Either way, you’re better off.
Router for Audio Streaming
I have been streaming Pandora, Spotify and Qobuz through a wifi network streamer from a Netgear AC1750 R6400v2 router with no sound quality complaints.
Recently a router firmware update failed (a known issue with these) and as a result it is no longer accessible for administration. It still seems to perform ok and accepts new devices however the network settings are "frozen" and I am unable to view device IP addresses or traffic, neither via desktop browser nor via the Nighthawk app.
I will try a factory reset but have read that quite often this does not work in these situations, so I started investigating getting a new router to be able to pull the trigger quickly if needed.
I heard/read that routers can make a difference in sound quality, beyond just being able to keep up with streaming with no buffering. I'm wondering what router experience and recommendations folks have here for reliable audio streaming with superior sound quality at a reasonable price.
Thanks!
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The biggest improvement you can make - once you get some router working - is the UpTone Audio EtherRegen switch. It requires an ethernet cable connection to your router. It will give you one "clean" port out to your streamer/player. It gets rid of all the garbage generated in your router and its power supply. If you got anything above entry level stuff, you'll hear the difference in soundstage and clarity.
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+ 1 @soix Makes a great point. I was streaming wifi with good reception from an rpi based Mercury streamer. Tried a fairly cheap TP link extender (set to client during setup) with Ethernet cable and noticed a serious improvement. And the wifi on the rpi4 is pretty outstanding as it is. Not planning on going back to wifi anytime soon. |
My cable modem was old according to tech support.. My router was 5 years old. I went to the cable office. They gave me a brand new router/modem combo and it came with a linear power supply. So I also got rid of the wall wart that came with the router. At the same time I added a DX Engineering EFI/RF filters, one on each end of the ethernet cable to the streamer. These two changes helped sound staging and clarity. |
- 149 posts total