Better PSU for Wifi extender/router plus tweaks

[malloy]

Pulled the trigger on an upgraded power supply for the Netgear Nighthawk Extender I use for feeding my streamer. iFi iPower Elite, a tricked-out switch mode power supply.

https://downloads.ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/iFi_iPowerElite_Lowdown_07.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOorhKSD20R8OHjntJly0uRpyY76Lhba-RlRSiNb3KCU8t9dxApQ_

I was curious to hear if any improvements could be made even in a non-optimal use case such as mine.  I do not have a switch from the Modem, so I use wifi through the extender and have an ethernet cable wired to the streamer.

Here are the incremental improvements I added:

1. ifi Lan silencer - a filter that attaches to the lan cable before or after the streamer/router
2. DIY Supra CAT 8 cable with shielded RJ435 connectors - This brought out the treble and details that the stock lan cable smothered
3. ViaBlue Cat 7 Solid Core ethernet cable with shielded RJ45 connectors (to replace the Supra) - Much smoother, organic sound without losing detail.
4. iFi iPower Elite 12v 4a PSU - Again, more details, blacker background, more solid imaging, etc.

Marketing copy BS aside, the iFi works! And, despite all those naysayers at another forum (which shall not be named) about the futility of upgrading ethernet cables and PSUs  , each addition lowered the noise floor, enabled me to hear more music, improved imaging, detail, etc.

Did a back-and-forth swap with the old generic $2 ethernet and tested it with the wife. She concurs about the improvements and that I am not insane.

Paul

[P.I.]

The iFi power and filtration devices work!  The iPurifier3 was a good addition to the USB connection.  Even with the TWL Passion cable's power filter there is a noticeable decrease in "hash".

Before I changed IP's I used an iFi power supply for the Nighthawk router. 

Small, but quite noticeable improvements in SQ, especially in removing HF brittleness.

Again, one can have the biggest brain around, but it needs a great heart to let it think.

[malloy]

Thanks for chiming in, Dave.

I initially hesitated to do any more tweaking to the wifi, as I had my Nighthawk already plugged into your DigiBuss. But I guess noise is being generated by the device itself and those small cheap walwarts can't possibly be doing anything good to the sound of other components.

Paul

[P.I.]

Thanks for chiming in, Dave.

I initially hesitated to do any more tweaking to the wifi, as I had my Nighthawk already plugged into your DigiBuss. But I guess noise is being generated by the device itself and those small cheap walwarts can't possibly be doing anything good to the sound of other components.

Paul

Routers, modems... all digital devices are noise sources.  Look at the manufacturer's label and you'll see an FCC type certification because every time a digital toggle is thrown a tiny burst of RFI is generated. Scale this out to millions of these bursts every second.

It's a messy world.

[malloy]

Oh, that's what that logo is for!  It's right there on the wall wart I replaced.

That said, any experience with any of these AC plug-in purifiers, Dave?

https://www.silentpower.tech/products/ac-ipurifier

These are iFi as well.

I still have vacant outlets on the Buss you made me.  Redundant or will there be a cumulative effect?

Paul

[James Edward]

I think this is related- I recently upgraded to a Bluesound Node Icon streamer, and though my old streamer tolerated a weak WiFi signal, the new one did not. I experienced dropouts frequently.
This prompted me to FINALLY run a cheap Ethernet cable- dropouts were eliminated and things load and respond much faster.
BUT?
I?m pretty certain the sound quality has suffered as a result. I?m guessing the wire has brought noise along with a stronger signal.
I have a few options to try, and the first is the Stack Audio Smoothlan filter, which sits just before the streamer. It?s on order and should arrive in a few days. Someone asked about it on that other forum and in the end they sentenced him to death.
Second is a real Cat 5/6/7 cable- the cheapie I got is flat, so I wonder if a proper twisted pair cable would help.
Lastly, it was suggested I try a mesh router or Wi-Fi extender with a pigtail to my streamer, thereby breaking the wire connection completely from my router, effectively eliminating a noise conduit.
We?ll see what happens- I am a firm believer in minuscule noise adding up and ultimately affecting sound negatively. I stocked up on incandescent light bulbs before they were outlawed; my guess is that LED and fluorescent lights are a big source of phantom noise, along with phone chargers, etc.
I?ll post my findings and thanks for the info.

[malloy]

Hi James,

I have a few options to try, and the first is the Stack Audio Smoothlan filter, which sits just before the streamer. It?s on order and should arrive in a few days.

This was what I was interested in as well, but wasn't sure if I would hear a difference so I went with the iFi.  You should hear a difference. More body, more detail.

Someone asked about it on that other forum and in the end they sentenced him to death.

Ah. As expected of the Audio Inquisition. Labeled heretic, excommunicated, and crucified, I am sure.

Second is a real Cat 5/6/7 cable- the cheapie I got is flat, so I wonder if a proper twisted pair cable would help.

Try getting those certified Blue Jeans (Belden) ones from Amazon. I changed mine from the Modem to router and from extender to PC. It actually added around 30-40 Mbps to the speed! The cable even come with the test certification sheet.

Or get a Cat 7 or 8 and DIY it with metal shielded connectors. You can get a field terminable pair for around $20. Easy enough to DIY.  Supposedly, those Telegartners are the best, but cost more $$$.

Lastly, it was suggested I try a mesh router or Wi-Fi extender with a pigtail to my streamer, thereby breaking the wire connection completely from my router, effectively eliminating a noise
conduit.

This is exactly the route I chose as the modem / router are in the main house and I listen in the garage. I'll have to route and drill holes to do this and install a switch.

Thanks for sharing!

Paul

[P.I.]

The best Ethernet cable I know of is the TWL Freedom cable.  Telegartner connectors (yes, they are THE best), deep cryogenic treatment and an advanced geometry.  It is a cut above and has a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee.

Yes, hardwired is a superior method.  I own an iFi LAN Purifier and it is a very good product for $89.00.

[Nick B]

I think this is related- I recently upgraded to a Bluesound Node Icon streamer, and though my old streamer tolerated a weak WiFi signal, the new one did not. I experienced dropouts frequently.
This prompted me to FINALLY run a cheap Ethernet cable- dropouts were eliminated and things load and respond much faster.
BUT?
I?m pretty certain the sound quality has suffered as a result. I?m guessing the wire has brought noise along with a stronger signal.
I have a few options to try, and the first is the Stack Audio Smoothlan filter, which sits just before the streamer. It?s on order and should arrive in a few days. Someone asked about it on that other forum and in the end they sentenced him to death.
Second is a real Cat 5/6/7 cable- the cheapie I got is flat, so I wonder if a proper twisted pair cable would help.
Lastly, it was suggested I try a mesh router or Wi-Fi extender with a pigtail to my streamer, thereby breaking the wire connection completely from my router, effectively eliminating a noise conduit.
We?ll see what happens- I am a firm believer in minuscule noise adding up and ultimately affecting sound negatively. I stocked up on incandescent light bulbs before they were outlawed; my guess is that LED and fluorescent lights are a big source of phantom noise, along with phone chargers, etc.
I?ll post my findings and thanks for the info.

Hardwiring is the way to go and using a mesh system as well. It had a lot of grief with being wireless to my streamer and just had a router, even though it was a good one. I finally took Jack D's advice and got the TP Link mesh and a wired Holo Red streamer. What a huge improvement! 🎶🎶

[James Edward]

So. I received my Stack Audio SmoothLAN filter.

I unfortunately could not quantify what I did not like after going with an Ethernet wire as opposed to Wi-Fi, but whatever it was is gone.

Perhaps it is enhanced high-end detail, but without the harshness that can sometimes bring. The bass was always better/deeper with the new Node Icon vs the Node 2i, but with the filter it is better defined- easier to follow a bass line.

I consider the filter money very well spent.

Best of all, I still need to run a proper Cat cable; as I said, I am using a ten dollar flat Cat5 cable with about 30 ft of it coiled behind my router. I am pretty certain that a real cable with just enough length will bring a slight but perceptible improvement. It is the little things. A split level house makes the running of this cable a challenge, but we do suffer for our craft.

PS- If my writing seems a little stilted, it is because this site substitutes a question mark for apostrophes and ellipses, so I edited out any contractions and ellipses.

[P.I.]

So. I received my Stack Audio SmoothLAN filter.

I unfortunately could not quantify what I did not like after going with an Ethernet wire as opposed to Wi-Fi, but whatever it was is gone.

Perhaps it is enhanced high-end detail, but without the harshness that can sometimes bring. The bass was always better/deeper with the new Node Icon vs the Node 2i, but with the filter it is better defined- easier to follow a bass line.

I consider the filter money very well spent.

Best of all, I still need to run a proper Cat cable; as I said, I am using a ten dollar flat Cat5 cable with about 30 ft of it coiled behind my router. I am pretty certain that a real cable with just enough length will bring a slight but perceptible improvement. It is the little things. A split level house makes the running of this cable a challenge, but we do suffer for our craft.

PS- If my writing seems a little stilted, it is because this site substitutes a question mark for apostrophes and ellipses, so I edited out any contractions and ellipses.

When you say "coiled behind my router" did you just coil it or did you coil it "the union way"?  If you did a simple coil you have created an inductor that would contribute to ringing and time smear.

[James Edward]

I'm sure it is coiled in the worst possible way. I bought a fifty foot roll of something cheap (10 dollars), rolled out what I needed and left the rest as is. Tomorrow or Saturday a home run with proper cable and no coil will be run. Exciting times!

[ejk]

Got my Smooth Lan yesterday also. Im sure it needs plenty of break in but I am not sure about it. I think my soundstage has shrunk as well as my dynamics which is the opposite of the reviews.