@zlone thanks for sharing your experience - makes me want to move the modem
Comparing Powerline Ethernet to WiFi for streaming audio
Thought I would share my findings.
I have a ROON based music server system with Tidal and Qobuz streaming services. Using Small Green Computer’s SonicTransport i9 Optical as ROON Core, connected via optical cable to a Sonore Optical Rendu (powered by Sonore Linear Power Supply) acting as ROON endpoint. This then connects to Chord Blu Mk 2 via USB, which upsamples and connects to Chord DAVE DAC via dual BNC.
Until very recently, I was connecting my ROON Core to my cable modem/router using Google Mesh WiFi. I was and still is very happy with the sound quality. My audio system is too far from my cable modem to run an ethernet cable from cable modem/router to it. So, I relied on Google Mesh WiFi with a seperate pod situated close to the ROON Core and connected via ethernet. The Google Mesh pod itself had a linear power supply instead of the stock wall wart.
But I just tried a Powerline Ethernet adapter. This uses the home’s internal power cables to route ethernet from one room to another. I always thought that running digital data on power cables was going to be noisy. I bought a NetGear Powerline 1200 (1200Mbps speed). There are more expensive and newer powerline ethernet models available up to 2000Mbps speed. But these come with dual ethernet ports and pass through filtered power outlets. I though for dedicated audio purposes, better to keep it simple and minimize electronics.
Bottom line, I was blown away by the improvement in audio quality of the NetGear Powerline Ethernet connection over the Google Mesh WiFi connection. Mind you, I was very happy with the quality from the Google Mesh kit but the NetGear Powerline ethernet kit was clearly better.
The sound quality improvement was immediate and very evident. More space between instruments and notes. Smoother, more image depth and more air around the notes especially the trailing edges. So, no doubt, the Netgear Powerline 1200 was far superior to the Google Mesh WiFi. I then swapped the Netgear for a similar powerline ethernet product TP-Link AV600. This was recommended by Small Green Computer. The TP-Link is smaller and has 2 pin power prongs. The Netgear Powerlines has 3 pin power prongs, so it has a ground connection to the power outlet. I found the TP-Link to take a step backward in sound quality. The image depth decreased. Soundstage was flatter and there is less air and space between notes and instruments. The TP-Link Av600 was sounding a lot closer to the Google Mesh WiFi. Just my observations, FWIW.
I have a ROON based music server system with Tidal and Qobuz streaming services. Using Small Green Computer’s SonicTransport i9 Optical as ROON Core, connected via optical cable to a Sonore Optical Rendu (powered by Sonore Linear Power Supply) acting as ROON endpoint. This then connects to Chord Blu Mk 2 via USB, which upsamples and connects to Chord DAVE DAC via dual BNC.
Until very recently, I was connecting my ROON Core to my cable modem/router using Google Mesh WiFi. I was and still is very happy with the sound quality. My audio system is too far from my cable modem to run an ethernet cable from cable modem/router to it. So, I relied on Google Mesh WiFi with a seperate pod situated close to the ROON Core and connected via ethernet. The Google Mesh pod itself had a linear power supply instead of the stock wall wart.
But I just tried a Powerline Ethernet adapter. This uses the home’s internal power cables to route ethernet from one room to another. I always thought that running digital data on power cables was going to be noisy. I bought a NetGear Powerline 1200 (1200Mbps speed). There are more expensive and newer powerline ethernet models available up to 2000Mbps speed. But these come with dual ethernet ports and pass through filtered power outlets. I though for dedicated audio purposes, better to keep it simple and minimize electronics.
Bottom line, I was blown away by the improvement in audio quality of the NetGear Powerline Ethernet connection over the Google Mesh WiFi connection. Mind you, I was very happy with the quality from the Google Mesh kit but the NetGear Powerline ethernet kit was clearly better.
The sound quality improvement was immediate and very evident. More space between instruments and notes. Smoother, more image depth and more air around the notes especially the trailing edges. So, no doubt, the Netgear Powerline 1200 was far superior to the Google Mesh WiFi. I then swapped the Netgear for a similar powerline ethernet product TP-Link AV600. This was recommended by Small Green Computer. The TP-Link is smaller and has 2 pin power prongs. The Netgear Powerlines has 3 pin power prongs, so it has a ground connection to the power outlet. I found the TP-Link to take a step backward in sound quality. The image depth decreased. Soundstage was flatter and there is less air and space between notes and instruments. The TP-Link Av600 was sounding a lot closer to the Google Mesh WiFi. Just my observations, FWIW.
Showing 6 responses by boulder_bob
I have my audio system connected to my router via a 50 foot CAT6 ethernet cable. I use Powerline adapters for my TV setup which involves an outdoor antenna and a Tablo over-the-air DVR (works fantastic, BTW, as long as you have a really good antenna signal feeding it). It very well may be a placebo effect, but my audio system sounds harsher (even with vinyl) until I unplug the Powerline adapters. I do have an Audioquest Niagara power conditioner.... I also like to turn off my hot tub and fridge at the breaker box and make sure all dimmers are off before doing any serious listening. I have thought about doing an experiment by running a temporary long coax cable inside my house and put my modem and router closer to my audio system, the theory being that it might be better to have a long coax run and a short ethernet run. A similar theory to having my monoblocks right behind my speakers? I'm using .5 meter speaker cables and roughly 4 meter interconnects from preamp to power amp |
@zlone I tried out the TP-Link extender yesterday. Sounded worse than my 60 foot Cat6 ethernet cable. Female vocals harsher. Didn't spend any more time listening |
@zlone my path is: TP Link router with iFi LPS, Generic Ethernet Cable, Cisco 2960G switch, DX Engineering passive in line filter, 60 feet of Cat6 cable, DX filter, Cisco 2960G switch, Pangea ethernet cable to Sonore Media Converter with Sonore LPS, Direct Attach Cable (I forget the brand, but it’s the one recommended by the Etherregen guy) to Sonore OpticalRendu. When I tried the extender I used the Pangea Cable from the extender directly into the Media Converter. To me, the range extender is suspect because I suspect it has a noisy power supply, also the speed is way less than the direct connection. I would like to try an Etherregen, using it "backwards" and eliminate the Media Converter. |
@tubeguy80 I would be interested in learning exactly what these adapters are. |