Network infrastructure

[DCarmi]

(With digital it is normally encrypted if the data is sensitive so even you can read the signal you cannot see what data is in there)

Encryption wasn't part of the conversation. More the possibility that the cable could like an antenna. Whether there is a real impact on the end result of the quality of the audio is moot. It was just interesting that it was suggested by someone who produces streaming equipment.

I really doubt, I'd notice any difference between ethernet and wifi.

 

[davidf]

I really doubt, I'd notice any difference between ethernet and wifi.

AudioQuest were doing that exact demo at Bristol Show a few years ago.

 

[davidf]

I'm just passing this info on, but I had someone contact me recently who was gobsmacked by what he'd stumbled across. He was messing about with his network stuff (he works in this area, by the way), and had taken a short Ethernet cable straight from his router into a switching box. He then plugged a longer Ethernet switch from that switch box to one by his streamer, then plugged a short cable from that box into the streamer - this was instead of having a direct cable from his router to the streamer. He said wiring that way improved the quality of his streamed music and it wasn't a small or tiny difference. He said it wasn't something he would've tried as it shouldn't make any difference, but having to temporarily set the system up this way, gave him better results.

Maybe worth a try for anyone who can do so. I haven't had a chance to try it yet myself, but I generally have streaming systems set up that way anyway.

 

[Revolutions]

I'm just passing this info on, but I had someone contact me recently who was gobsmacked by what he'd stumbled across. He was messing about with his network stuff (he works in this area, by the way), and had taken a short Ethernet cable straight from his router into a switching box. He then plugged a longer Ethernet switch from that switch box to one by his streamer, then plugged a short cable from that box into the streamer - this was instead of having a direct cable from his router to the streamer. He said wiring that way improved the quality of his streamed music and it wasn't a small or tiny difference. He said it wasn't something he would've tried as it shouldn't make any difference, but having to temporarily set the system up this way, gave him better results.

Maybe worth a try for anyone who can do so. I haven't had a chance to try it yet myself, but I generally have streaming systems set up that way anyway.

This is interesting. Do you think that by gating the Ethernet it made the connection more stable & the streamer was able to connect to whichever service was playing with less buffering?

so many variables in there. But would be cool if anyone tried to recreate it.

 

[davidf]

This is interesting. Do you think that by gating the Ethernet it made the connection more stable & the streamer was able to connect to whichever service was playing with less buffering?

so many variables in there. But would be cool if anyone tried to recreate it.

Honestly not sure. In theory, you'd think a direct connection would be better, and sometimes I have set up that way, but as I'm usually using different equipment, it's never been a difference I've noticed.
I'm no network specialist, but if I was inclined to actually try it (as I say, I don't need to as I will usually set up this way nowadays anyway), I'd just go on the results I heard or didn't hear, rather than just dismissing any potential difference because there supposedly can't be one (applicable to any sort of set up really).

 

[abacus]

A switch is powered so it will effectively boost the incoming signal.

Bill

 

[nads]

It’s your money do whatever you want.

they only transfer whatever is put into it. They can’t improve or degrade the signal.
can an expensive one be better that a cheap one? Yes it can be built to be more reliable and last longer. But they either work or they don’t.

 

[davidf]

It’s your money do whatever you want.

they only transfer whatever is put into it. They can’t improve or degrade the signal.
can an expensive one be better that a cheap one? Yes it can be built to be more reliable and last longer. But they either work or they don’t.

Anything can degrade a signal. It can't improve anything, nothing can, it can only preserve to the best of its abilities.

 

[nopiano]

I'm just passing this info on, but I had someone contact me recently who was gobsmacked by what he'd stumbled across. He was messing about with his network stuff (he works in this area, by the way), and had taken a short Ethernet cable straight from his router into a switching box. He then plugged a longer Ethernet switch from that switch box to one by his streamer, then plugged a short cable from that box into the streamer - this was instead of having a direct cable from his router to the streamer. He said wiring that way improved the quality of his streamed music and it wasn't a small or tiny difference. He said it wasn't something he would've tried as it shouldn't make any difference, but having to temporarily set the system up this way, gave him better results.

Maybe worth a try for anyone who can do so. I haven't had a chance to try it yet myself, but I generally have streaming systems set up that way anyway.

I had a similar setup, but with just one switch, near the modem/router. Then I read a suggestion that the switch should ideally be near the streamer. So I used the long cable from the hall to living room, and moved the switch to behind my system.

So the sequence is: ISP’s modem/router > 10metre Cat6A cable > Netgear GS108 switch > 1metre Cat6 UTP > Linn DSM.

Apparently, if there any chance that noise is reaching the switch via the screen, the use of UTP for the last link breaks the chain in the screen. It’s also more flexible, which helps with dressing leads.

I can’t say it’s noticeably better, but it seems like good housekeeping.