Audio Grade Ethernet Cable

ghdprentice

... There are two approaches. Fix the network or get a better streamer ...

I don't see this as an either/or proposition. You can work to create a stable, quiet network - in part by physically locating network components distant from the audio system - and you can also use an audiophile quality streamer. I think both can contribute to better sound.

Salient point I neglected to address in regard to AC quality. It seems commonplace now that adding lps to every streaming component results in better sound quality, and to this end I see more people adding lps to routers and modems. One of the common arguments is lps superior because smps contaminate AC, not going to argue with that. But is that the only advantage, could part of that advantage also come from the cleaner power lps provides? And then we can apply the same argument to the router and modem. People report better sound quality with lps powering these devices. So how can that be? With routers and modems located far away from the audio system, the smps is only contaminating whole house AC lines, so simply adding another smps to another what ever number of smps supplying dozens of common household appliances cannot be the reason for better sound quality, it must have something to do with cleaner power supply to these devices. Its long been accepted providing clean power to audio devices results in better sound quality, yet there is something mysteriously different with routers and modems that makes then invulnerable to crap power being supplied to them. 

@cleeds You're correct on that everything needs to be addressed. Streamers are quite distinct from networks, what they are fed is critical. Saying that networks don't matter is akin to saying what's upstream from any interface is not important. The entire streaming chain is important, and I believe it should be treated holistically. Filters and such are all just band aids, not saying they can't be effective, just that you can never get back what you lost upstream. If the river is polluted you must find the source of that pollution and treat it accordingly. 

Ask yourself why there are so many audiophile network devices out in marketplace. Some will claim snake oil, others laud these devices claiming to hear improvements in sound quality. Noise is only one issue bringing about contentiousness, we could add timing as well. Clocking is another area being addressed these days. Some write off streaming technological advancements as snake oil, all these devices couldn't possibly affect packets of digital data. But then one has to ask themselves, is streaming sound quality continually improving?  My answer is yes.

sns

... Ask yourself why there are so many audiophile network devices out in marketplace. Some will claim snake oil ...

What I ask is this:

What is the advantage of locating your network components physically close to your audio system?

Part of the problem is that many people have very poorly configured networks. Many still use their ISP’s modem and router. Many cram these low-quality devices into their equipment rack, or place them nearby. So they are looking for ways to remedy the noise that results, when they might get equal or better results by simply relocating their network equipment. Or, as others have noted, by simply upgrading the streamer.

Here what I have done, not sure if I can improve without significant cost?

COX router, WiFi disabled, connected to separate switch and router. 20ft blue jeans cat 6 to stack audio smoothlan, then 1.5 m DH Labs Ethernet to streamer and DH labs USB to DAC.

All audio equipment except amp plugged into Equi=Core 20 amp balanced power supply.

Home wifi has 2 access points, both about as far from the listening room as they can be.