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Network optimization for serious streamers

In my ongoing experiments, now going on seven years, with network optimization for streaming I've discovered a number of optimizations that should work with any ethernet ISP.

 

I've tried a variety of ethernet cables, modems, routers, switches, FMC, ethernet filters, the following is what I've found to be most effective optimizations.

 

I'll start with ISP quality and speed. Recently I discovered 500mbps to be preferable to 300mbps. Along with upgrade in speed, modem capable of 1gb service replaced 600mbps, both have Broadcom chips and powered by same lps. Can't say which more responsible for improvement, speed or modem, presume speed has at least some role in ping time. As for ISP, there is importance in ISP server geographic location to you, shorter distances  means lower ping time. For information as to how ping time affects jitter-https://www.fusionconnect.com/speed-test-plus/ping-jitter-test

 

Now for modems,  modem close to audio system is most favorable, extending coax cable preferable to long ethernet cable. Coax more resistant to rfi and closer positioning to system means one can more easily afford top quality ethernet cable for modem to router connection. The modem should use Broadcom chipset vs. inferior Intel Puma, Broadcom chipset has lower jitter vs the Intel. Modem should be powered via external lps using quality DC and AC cables, lps to power conditioner for ultimate performance.

 

Following close positioning of modem to audio system, router should also be placed near modem in service of same advantage of making highest quality ethernet cable more affordable, in this case, modem to router and router to switches, streamers and NAS. Router should be powered with lps, this lps should be able to provide more amps than router requires in service of providing greater reliability, having lps with reserves of amperage means lps runs cooler, heat is enemy of reliability, longevity. As with modem, quality dc, ac cables and connection to power conditioner.

 

The next finding is new to me, provides very meaningful upgrade to streaming sound quality. Noise from wifi, injected both internally to router and externally with routers sitting close to audio systems has long been a concern to me. I have quality Trifield meter which measures rfi, router with operational wifi manufacture obscenely high levels of rfi, rfi is noise, noise is enemy of streaming at level we're talking about here. And its very likely the more wifi devices one has in home the higher the levels of rfi produced. This noise is then injected into following cables and streaming equipment. One may convince themselves FMC totally isolates this noise, and while correct, it doesn't mitigate the noise and masking going on within router. The only way to eliminate this noise is turning off wifi. And then, how to provide wifi for the many  wifi devices we have at home? The answer is to connect a second router to the primary router. The primary router will only provide ethernet for streamers, switches and/or NAS in audio system, also for the second router.  Second router provides wifi for the home, this scheme keeps vast majority of rfi out of audio system streaming chain. My own measurements find rfi significantly diminished in primary router, more than mulitiples of ten times lower vs wifi enabled. This was seamless install with the Netgear routers I'm using. There may also be value in provisioning higher quality routers. My new primary router, Netgear XR1000 is marketed as a gamer router, claims of lower ping time, latency, jitter vs other routers. Since my old router, Netgear RS7000 didn't have means to monitor ping time I can't provide evidence of this claim. Whatever the case, my XR1000 ping time test measurements are as follows, 25.35ms highest, 16.50ms lowest, this is A+ measurements against objective criteria. Ping time under load is download 25.93ms, upload 37.34ms, idle 17.31ms, this rates as A. My speed of 565gbps rates B grade, likely need 1gb service to get A here. At to how this all pertains to sound quality, adding up the upgrade in ISP speed and the off loading of wifi is without a doubt one of the most substantial, if not most substantial network upgrades I've experienced. While I  long considered my setup as having a vanishing low noise floor, with this setup I heard a new level of vanishing if such a thing is possible. Even more astounding was a more analog like presentation, while I wasn't aware of even the slightest digital presentation prior, this upgrade certainly exposed it was indeed there. It seems logical to conclude there has been some lowering of jitter here.

 

And then we come to the ethernet filter. I suppose audiophile switches can be considered as one, then we have actual filters such as Network Acoustics Muon, my JCAT Net XE and others. I continue to believe these necessary even with the all measures above.

 

Optical conversion is also valid approach post router. While I found generic FMC somewhat effective, at this point I prefer ethernet. On the other hand I've not yet tried optimizing a fiber solution, for example two Sonore OpticalModules, both powered by lps, further upgraded with Finisar optical transceivers.

 

Assuming one has high resolving audio and streaming systems the above network optimizations should provide for substantial sound quality improvements. In my system, perception of performers in room has been taken to a new level of intimacy, meaning a more emotional connection to the performers and performance.

 

At this point, I consider network has been fully optimized, the only upgrade I'm aware of would be ISP upgrade to 1gb.

sns
sns OP
3,295 posts
 

@lalitk I can only say the two prior owners of my streamer, builder and subsequent owner compared my streamer to many of the best plug n play streamers on market, one of the last and best compared to was Aurender W20SE, both preferred this build to that, last comparison was to Taiko Extreme, both purchased Taiko Extrerme. At the time of these comparisons, my streamer was using HDPLex internal swps with a variety of external LPS. Since my purchase I eliminated HDPlex replaced with JCAT Optimo S ATX, this at entire different level vs the HDPLex with any LPS. I've also added JCAT NetXE for ethernet optimization. Both individuals were also using my build with somewhat upgraded Intel motherboard based usb rendering with the Euphony version 4 OS and full proprietary Stylus music player, this player gets high marks from users, preferred to Roon. So, I've compared my streamer in this configuration with the upgraded JCAT power supply to the two box solution with the Sonore equipment running Roon, I greatly prefer the Sonore with Roon to all Stylus, Roon with Stylus endpoint, any HQPlayer configuration I've tried. Now, I still have yet to try optimized usb rendering with custom build via Pink Faun or JCAT USB XE, this could tip balance in favor of custom build running Stylus, all Sonore out of system.

 

In any case, I'd not deride Sonore equipment, if price is sole determiner of quality, this may not correlate with expectations. There have been a number of reviews of Sonore equipment allied to best streamers on market, the Sonore has competed and/or exceeded these streamers in sq. Michael Lavorgnia  of Twittering Machines is one who's found Sonore Signature Rendu a compliment to some of top streamers out there. Sig Rendu is opticalRendu with integrated power supply, I'm running opticalrendu off Uptone JS2, a choke based power supply which may have advantages over any cap based PS. JS2 also powering JCAT NET XE.

 

In any case, while direct comparisons of my build in my system to top echelon plug n play hasn't been done, I'd put my custom build up against any of the top echelon based on these two individual's comparisons with lesser power supply and usb rendering at time they compared. Towards that end, I will soon compare to one of most extreme custom build streamers, this uses best of best components, every single T crossed, I dotted, this will give greater idea of where my setup stands. And I should explore my nearby audio emporiums for possible demo of top echelon for curiosities sake.

 

I understand my custom build has no comparative evaluation against top echeon plug n play other than these two individuals, so my testimony as to sound quality is only one man's opinion. This doesn't mean it should be discounted, I do know highest quality sound reproduction via audio systems from listening to audiophile systems since 1970's, some many multiples of $100K.

 

As for anyone contemplating custom builds based on Windows platform and long and winding road leading to my custom build, audiophilestyle forum is the place. Thread that involves my exact build is contained within a thread with heading starting with ''A Massive Way To Improve'. Thread is probably over 800 pages at this point, path to this build started in 2017.

 

I understand this forum not much for diy, especially in computer/streamer realm. People in the know are on audiophilestyle and whatsbest forums. There are individuals on these forums driving the entire industry, have much more knowledge than any of us! These are my reference points for computer audio.

cowhorn
22 posts
 

OP,

 

Did you find any improvement in sound quality with the ISP speed at 1Gbps compared to 500 Mbps?

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,506 posts
 

@sns

As your server is configured please give us a ballpark cost to build. This is a project I would find fun, but I think the cost could be my block. Thanks!

sns OP
3,295 posts
 

@cowhorn I went from 300 to 500gb. Yes, I did hear improvement, whether this due to increased speed alone or due to required move to 1gb capable modem in combo I can't say.

 

@grannyring $3k for internal parts, case and passive cooling packages prices all over the place, $800 for JCAT Net XE, $6k for JCAT Optimo S ATX, also requires another external lps dedicated to JCAT Net board, I'm using Uptone JS2, around $1k. . Each JCAT or Pink Faun PCIE board will cost $800-$1000 each, this includes  choice of usb, AES/EBU, I2S.  Then you'll need OS, variable price, I went with Euphony, Stylus included, also purchased Roon and HQPlayer. So starting price can be $11k or so, goes up from there. While this build is pretty high end, one can go further these days, innovations come fast and furious with these custom streamer builds, spending limits virtually anything imaginable. 

 

Add to this labor time procuring parts, sometimes difficult to find in stock these days. Choosing which parts to purchase can also be a long slog with a multitude of items like motherboards, RAM, processors, etc, ti choose from. Add assembly and getting OS, music players operational. One wins on parts cost, this level of parts does not exist in any streamer other than Wadax and Taiko, labor hours really add up! If you like building things and enjoy steep learning curves diy custom build right up one's alley. While I didn't build this particular streamer, already planning new build with some of the newer innovations out there. I've been building all my general service tower computers for years, this no more difficult  except in procuring some of these boutique parts and determining optimal configurations of multiple things like OS, music players, BIOS.

 

Getting back to original topic, the more resolving the streamer, the more network upgrades pay off. Every upgrade is magnified, no server above the need for network optimization, in fact just the opposite.

sns OP
3,295 posts
 

I should add one could start with HDPlex internal ps allied to external LPS and save substantially over $6K JCAT I went with. The HDPlex route is very nice for a much more reasonable cost. say $1-3K depending on which HDPlex and LPS one chooses. So now talking around $6k or so for very nice build.

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