2. digital
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Talk about modems

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/cable-modems.30094/ And so I've long considered modem's role in audiophile streaming, and how I could improve my long term setup.

 

Above discussion motivated me to replace Spectrum supplied modem, Arris TM1602 with Netgear CM500 mentioned in thread. Arris is Intel chip based with internal power supply, Netgear Broadcom chip with external power supply. I added LPS, nice power cable into my BPT 3.5 Sig. power conditioner.

 

So this third rather recent attempt at upgrading network prior to server, others being audiophile switch and fiber conversion, both with less than satisfactory results.

 

Results of this simple change way beyond expectations! Lowered noise floor patently obvious,  sound staging much improved, greater precision, spaciousness, images had greater dimensionality.  Most importantly, a new sense of ease imparted, more analog like presentation. I assume this newfound ease comes from more precise timing, can really hear the benefits of lowered jitter here!  This rather curious to me as I expected to hear this with audiophile switch with OXCO clock I previously tried. With the switch I heard changes in sound staging and timing, and both NOT for the better, same with the fiber experiment.

 

My estimation is this relatively minor change has been one of the more effective streaming upgrades over many years of streaming upgrades. And likely biggest bang for buck upgrade ever, something like $60 for modem and around $100 for lps, just amazing!

 

Now considering further upgrades in both Spectrum net speed, can get up to 1gb service and more capable Broadcom chip based modem. I'd just suggest people try the modem upgrade, may be greatly surprised at extent of improvement. One does have to go with Broadcom chip modem and make sure that modem compatible with their net service provider. I'd also suggest LPS critical in overall improvement.

sns
sns OP
3,320 posts
 

@westborn Just looked at your new modem. The SB8200 has two ethernet ports, one will go to streamer, other to remote control device. Most likely you're going to have to use a laptop as this device, and it must have ethernet port, everything hard wired, don't need wifi at all. The laptop will be provided permanent IP adress. Very unlikely your tablet has ethernet port, extremely limited number do. Not all laptops have this provision as well, in which case use usb to ethernet port conversion device. You don't have to worry about wifi with this setup.

 

Telephony or having telephone connected to modems is another concern because of contamination/ noise. Don't connect phone to modem, most ISP have dedicated phone modems, just have to ask.

 

I purchased an enterprise level managed router couple months ago, has NO wifi capability. My intention is to experiment with completely isolating audio system from wifi contamination. I have Trifield meter which measures emi in form of rfi, wifi capable routers are one of the richest rfi environments, read noisy components connecting to our audio systems. With the managed router, wifi can be segregated to separate branch.

 

Keep us informed, will be interested to hear your outcome in regard to sound qualily.

 

 

westborn
156 posts
 

Thanks for your thoughts sns.

I will not be using the Arris SB8200 modem for any telephony, in fact I don't think it even has telephony capability (one reason it was recommended on WBF I believe).

It will be easy for me (logistically) to run an ethernet cable from the modem at the back of my audio gear rack|table - to my laptop along a [left] wall just under the carpet and into the laptop - where my listening seat has an end table to its left along the same wall. Probably about 20 feet of total ethernet cable distance. I could use a simple ethernet to USB converter into a tablet or laptop (especially if it will just primarily be used for controlling the streamer); or I guess at that point I could ethernet-connect a desktop PC under the end table and a monitor on top of it, or of course us an 'all in one' like an IMac. Although I suppose the more complex device the higher the risk for backhaul of potential PC noise back down the line to the modem and streamer.(?)

Seems like a bit of an old school (pre|no-wifi) setup, but it would achieve isolating the audio system from wifi contamination as you say.

Will keep the forum informed.

juanmanuelfangioii
958 posts
 

@sns thanks for the post and it is nice my modem was on the recommended list! 

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