Home network router question

nigeltheflash

Networked audio is one of those unusual areas in which you’re really not better off solving a problem at its source; it’s better to address noise as close to the streamer as possible.

Hmmmm, I’m not sure I follow your logic there!

Whether a switch used for audio is "audiophile" or not is actually less important than where it is! If you want to use it to kill RFI noise ... it needs to be the shortest possible length of cable from your streamer (say 1ft to 3ft).

Again, I don’t see the logic there. I’ve found routers and switchers to be more a source of RFI than a remedy. That’s why I try to keep computer stuff as centralized as possible and away from my audio system, which includes both analog and digital sources.

Thanks for all the comments; all very helpful.

One other question/thought.

I know the modem/router is best located in the "center" of ones home but wonder if anyone has had success with placement in the basement ( with router extenders in the rest of the  home)?  

With mesh network it doesn’t really matter where the modem/router is located as long as you have the nodes positioned in the right locations throughout the house. 

So a followup question after considering the options.

Heres's the proposed solution:

Place the modem and first hard wired router pod in the basement but mounted up on the wall towards the ceiling.  Hard wire the streamer to the hard wired router in the basement.  Upstairs will add wireless pods to complete the system.

Question: does the Cat 6 ( or higher ) wire from the streamer to the hardwired router pod in the basement affect sound of streamed music?  Similarly does the wire from the modem to the hard wired pod matter?  If so do they have equal impact?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving

how about this: changing ANYTHNG can have an impact on a system's sound.  there is a lot to say about the synergy between components.  like certain power amps work better with some speakers that others.  this makes saying that one wire is more important than another in a certain position difficult.

if I were you and trying to improve your situation, I would work backwards from the endpoint, upgrading cables in that manner.  your system may need 100 hours when you change something.  and you should do a lot of listening with the new part, and then go back to the old one and see if you can hear anything,  different isn't always better.  everything is returnable - or should be.  unless you're one of the people -  who I greatly admire - that will buy used stuff and then resell it if they don't like it

the other thing I would recommend is linear power supplies everywhere, again working backward from the end point and going all the way to the modem.

it's a great hobby - and Happy Thanksgiving to you!