Home network router question

Question for the IT guys, isn't a mesh network supported by nodes in a hierarchy with each node connected by WIFI? So if you Ethernet cable to a node, you are still ultimately using an RF signal (WIFI) rather than a direct Ethernet connection to your cable modem, is that correct?

A couple of years ago I went to an ASUS Mesh network for our home. The base router, an RT-AX86U sits upstairs in my den next to the Motorola cable modem. Downstairs are two RP-AC1900 Mesh nodes that are networked over the air to the main router upstairs.

One node is in my wife's office downstairs that serves her wifi needs with enough range to serve our outdoor patio shelter as well. (I move my wifi pellet grill under it for our PNWet winters ) It also serves our smart TV in the den.

The other node I tried to install in the same cabinet in the living room as my hi-fi rig but it generates so much RF (Hello? Wifi!) that it made my CJ Premier 6 impossible to use. So I moved it into a bookcase across the living room and ran some quality Cat 8 from it to my streamer. Problem solved. 

Here's a review of the Plume system:

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/plume-adaptive-wifi-system-review/

I gotta tell you, I'm not impressed on either a cost or performance basis. But getting back to your question, sorry I veered off course there, if you can I would move any RF generating gear away from your hi-fi rig. It doesn't have to be that far really. Then I'd run good quality Cat cable from your router back to your streaming device.

Good luck and as always...

Happy listening.

Get three bids from three different electricians for relocating your RJ45 jack. When you hardwired modem is where you want it then place your boosters.

1. Is running an ethernet wire from my streamer/DAC to the main pod equivalent to direct wiring to the old stand alone modem/router?

If the main pod is hardwired to the modem, then yes, it's basically the same as direct wire. However, if you can, try to wire it directly to the modem.  Direct to the modem is the best.  

2.  If I move the modem and main pod; can I run a cable from the main pod to an ethernet port ( to be installed ) in the cabinet and plug in my streamer?  Will this be nearly equivalent to hard wiring into my old modem/router?

Yes, basically the same as #1.

2 things you should do.....

1. Make sure you use high quality certified C6 cables. Don't need to be fancy, just make sure they are certified. This really makes a difference. I get most of mine from work, but BlueJeans has good cheap certified cables. 

2. Try to have the least number of "hops" from the DAC to the modem. Each hop can/will add jitter, noise, can have lost packets. Most home "mesh" networks use cheap components are mostly crap for anything high end. Hardwire will always beat a mesh network. 

If this was my network, the provided hardware would be given back, then purchase a good modem, hook that modem up to a little router, with a wi-fi point plugged into that. Anything that needs good fast signal, have it plugged into that switch. If you have a quality wi-fi access point, it can almost be as good as wired in places you can't run a wire. 

This is too damn complicated.

I have a have modem hardwired to a router with various Ethernet cables feeding to network switches. I have one audio grade network switch that has an ethernet cable running to my streamer.

It's really that simple. No wireless anywhere, everything hardwired.