Systemic Development > Digital Audio Devices
ROUTERS ETHERNET SWITCHES
rollo:
I only use router to stream music to my server. I'm hearing that routers matter as well as Ethernet from router to streamer. Clueless on what to look for in a router. I have a FIOS supplied router. Length of Ethernet needs to be 12ft. Reason just got TIDAL to stream radio/Albums.
Whats up with Ethernet switches after router to streamer like SOtM switch.
charles
JBNY:
The short answer is they do not make any difference, keep using what you have.
Personal I feel that this is a terrible scam on audiophiles who do not have a real understanding on how routers/switches and networking work in general (which is most people). There is nothing in the digital realm that makes any difference in sound quality, the only time it does make a difference is when you are converting it to an analog signal, before that time there is nothing that is going to change the sound for better or worse. Routers and switches only operate in the digital realm.
Routers and switches are always transmitting a bit perfect packet to your device. It's in the spec, packetized transmission, CRC checks, re-transmits all are there to guarantee the file arrives exactly as is was sent. I have done lots of packet sniffing at my work, and dropped packets are almost unheard off in corporate (very crowded) networks. unless there is break along the way. On a home network, from looking at my own network, it never happens. I have over 65 devices on my home network, so it's pretty crowded, and I have never seen a droppe3d packet in over 15 years that I have had the ability to monitor this.
tmazz:
Joe, logically and on paper I can't really disagree with what you are saying, but if that is completely true the same logic should also extend to digital cables and I have to tell you, Helen Keller could hear the difference between the cable I was using TWL USB cable I recently replaced it with.
I can't tell you how or why they would be different, but I just can't imagine that there no differences at all between different types of routers/switches or even different brands and models of the same type. It would be great if we could point to some kind of cause and effect that would enable us to predict what would sound different and in what way. I certainly can't at this point, but I also don't doubt that trial and error substitution would reveal some differences.
I am certainly not advocating that we should go out and by a dozen routers to search for the "golden" one, just saying that in my 30+ years in this hobby I have seen numerous things that changed the sound for no obvious or even logical reason. So I am very hesitant to say that any device can not or will not make any change in the sound.
That said I also will not stand up and say that by design one device or type of device will yield better results. If there is a change you will most likely have to trip over it by happenstance. Logically it shouldn't make a difference, but I am sure that somewhere down the line a situation will come up where it does.
JBNY:
Ethernet is very different than USB transmission, like completely different. But I understand what you are saying, I would just say it is one of those things I would very strongly recommend getting a loaner to really try it and compare, because if you are not obligated to buy it I don't think you will hear any difference.
dBe:
--- Quote from: rollo on November 03, 2019, 09:15:15 AM --- I only use router to stream music to my server. I'm hearing that routers matter as well as Ethernet from router to streamer. Clueless on what to look for in a router. I have a FIOS supplied router. Length of Ethernet needs to be 12ft. Reason just got TIDAL to stream radio/Albums.
Whats up with Ethernet switches after router to streamer like SOtM switch.
charles
--- End quote ---
Funny how things come in threes. This is going to be the third time I have recommended an iFi wall wart supply in 2days. If your router has a wall wart (most do) get an iFi supply:
https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipower/
It's all about noise again. Other than that I can't think of any reason to worry. Streaming is only streaming. I am not convinced that the SQ will ever equal that of a local file.
Switches? Not in my system. Just another component to muck up SQ. Simpler is better.
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