Router for Audio Streaming

@yoramguy1 

P.S., just to confirm my understanding: the tri-band mesh has a wireless backhaul which does not rob bandwidth from the devices and does not need ethernet backhaul, correct?

You got that right. What you want to look for is a dedicated wireless backhaul feature.

If most of your network devices support the latest 802.11ax (a.k.a. Wi-Fi 6) standard and you have a gigabit internet connection, there might be a reason to upgrade. If your current setup meets your needs, then I'd stand pat.

One note - it looks like all the TP Link gear mentioned so far supports the older 802.11ac (a.k.a. Wi-Fi 5) standard so you won't be future-proofing at all.

@yage , thanks again.  I have no Wifi 6 compatible devices at this point.  I will definitely keep your points in mind.  As you recall the original conversation started with the query about sound quality (referring to continuous distortion level, not reliability).  I have yet to be persuaded that a reliable wifi network distorts audio more than ethernet.  I see no way for that to take place.  If there are specific routers with superior clock accuracy or electric noise control which impacts the bit stream I remain curious (but that would not be specific to wireless vs. ethernet).

Cheers!

P.S., the TP-Link X60 I have here ready to be returned is Wifi 6, but not tri-band.

@oldrooney , wanted to get back to you. Very cool streamer, the Aries!

We listen to Pandora, Spotify and Qobuz, and I spent quite a bit of time looking for a wifi streamer that would support all three and replace my two existing streamers - Squeezebox Duet and Bluesound Node 2 - at the highest audio definitions available. Unfortunately very few devices fully support Pandora.

One of the good folks on this forum cued me onto the Magna Mano Ultra Mk2, which I’ve been using happily for over 1.5 years now together with an RME ADI-2 FS dac. The Mano can run ethernet but my home makes it quite difficult. It runs wifi 2.4G very reliably. My router and Mano are both located quite high and about 18’ and 2 internal walls apart. I did move all my other devices that are capable to 5G, especially the smart TVs, to minimize 2.4G traffic.

BTW, the root cause for this entire thread was that I needed to update the Logitech Media Server software on the Mano but could not access it because of a failed router firmware update... All is well now.

I have no dog in this fight, but...

Had a Verizon tech out to troubleshoot an issue with their cabling and commented the I should look at a Mesh system and eliminate some of my wired network. Well, although it sounded intriguing I have only a couple of wireless devices, everything else runs through switches (7 to be exact) in a more or less totally wired gig network.

Currently on their router, but will be switching back to my Asus RT-AC68U and I run a second Asus Dark Knight that is used as a wireless repeater to make sure tablet has coverage as I use it to run JRiver through for my second system.