2. digital
  3. 173390-151326

To extend Ethernet to remote location, are Powerline extenders or Mesh systems better?

I am trying to get Ethernet into a listening room that is not prewired, and it is not practical to run the hard cable through the old house into that room. I am planning to use a new music streamer that requires Ethernet connection (no wifi).

For hifi purposes, for passing the music signal, not just for computer equipment, are ethernet over powerline units better, or are wifi mesh router systems (which bring an ethernet port into a room using wireless transfer between the mesh devices) better?

For Ethernet over powerlines, I am worried about contaminating the power lines feeding the stereo preamplifier/amplifier, I don’t know if hifi power conditioners will filter out that super high frequency noise well enough.

For wifi mesh, it seems that the wireless handling of the music signal to feed the remote Ethernet port might somehow degrade the sound and introduce other problems that a connected wireline would avoid.

I am not a person that understands these technologies deeply, so I would value perspectives from others here who are users and who may be technically more qualified to understand this stuff.

troidelover1499
troidelover1499 OP
253 posts
 

To panzrwagon

Your input and expertise is helpful. Do you have a point of view on Ethernet Over Powerline systems, and whether that technology, even if it passes the network signal well, will add noise onto the AC line that hifi gear and related power conditioners will fail to properly filter out? 

Also is it fair to assume EoP will have superior speed over mesh and wifi extenders as the signal never goes through the air?

Post removed 
lollipopguild's avatar
lollipopguild
133 posts
 

Over the years I’ve had two sets of Powerlines, and they’ve worked, but are limited.  I never used powerline while I had a high-end hifi.  Therefore, I would question how a high frequency powerline signal on your mains might affect your hifi components.

I now have a Netgear Orbi mesh system, and can get ~700Mpbs over the 5G backhaul. There’s no competition here.

 

The Orbi is a technically very good option. I just don’t like the company. Their support, in my experience, seems to prioritise upselling you. They also dabble in sharp practice. For example, they’ll email you to inform you of an impending re-subscription to their Armor protection. No mention, though, will be made of the price. Want to raise a complaint? Then you’ll have to subscribe to their support option. Want to use the "family protection" service? That’s another charge. I should add that my Mesh system (1 router, 3 satellites) was ~£1k

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
552 posts
 

All ethernet extenders, wired or wireless will reduce your available bandwidth by half. Not a point of discussion, it's just inherent in how they work - there's no free lunch. Mesh Networks do not exhibit that characteristic, and those with a dedicated backhaul channel work best of all. Use WiFi 6, if possible, which supports parallel network streams, as opposed to time-slicing a single stream like all previous ethernet, wired and Wi-Fi. Luckily, digital audio is very undemanding network load, with CD quality requiring less than 1Mbit/sec, and 24-bit 192K needing under 5 mBits/sec. 

ghdprentice
7,189 posts
 

The bandwidth required by streamed music is tiny. Good quality streamers cashe the files, basically isolating you from all but the most unreliable data streams.

 

My streamers perform completely reliably through wall wart extenders while I cannot get my iPad to refresh the page. Providing top vinyl level sound quality with a minimum of throughput.

 

You can see my systems under my UserID.

More to discover