Ethernet Wiring

I suspect the vast majority of audiophiles have a second rate setup for their streaming network. Modems and routers should be located near audio system, both should be powered via lps, short runs high quality LAN/ethernet cables. For those who've experienced the benefits of network improvements for streaming sound quality the above will further improve SQ. 

Beyond this, disable wifi on this router, run LAN cable from this router to second router which will serve as whole house router with wifi enabled. 

I see audiophiles spend large sums on things like network filters, audiophile switches while they completely ignore noisiest components in network chain. Seems to me having a clean source is superior to cleaning up a dirty source. Craziest thing is doing the above costs little compared to what some spend on some of these network devices. And I do have experience with audiophile switches/filters, not totally dismissing them.

@cleeds The physical distance between the modem/router and streamer is of little or no consequence. The only possible issue would be if wifi enabled, emi-rfi can contaminate nearby components, since wifi disabled no issue. @foggyus91 explains why quality audiophile equipment would be less impacted by close proximity, still, remember we are disabling wifi which makes the issue moot.

If you're worried about internally generated noise migrating via LAN cables, shorter is always better, longer LAN cable lengths don't magically drain noise away.. Another added bonus of shorter lengths is less financial expenditure. 

Bottom line, modems and routers with wifi disabled, sitting in close proximity to any or all other streaming components will not contaminate those components in any way. The benefits were obvious in my setup. 

As @jeffbij points out, this setup provides both a 'dirty' and 'clean' home network, all streaming components go on clean side. For a more in depth explanation of a 'clean' or audio home network people should check out the Dejitter IT Switch X, this is a highly modified Mikrotik managed switch, replaces router altogether, I suspect we'll be seeing more of managed switches replacing routers in the future. These noisy routers, even with wifi disabled don't belong in really high end streaming setups.

@cleeds All remarks not directed specifically to you. 

Just curious, you state you have modem and router, so how do you provide wifi? While you may not be using wifi with any audio streaming components it still affects your network. I also use only LAN connections with audio streaming components, and have been for well over a decade, disabling wifi and providing 'clean' side home network was beneficial. 

@cleeds If any of those other components require wifi I'd rather not have them in my audio system. I run my home theater and every single wifi device in house off 'dirty' side of local network. 

Clocking/timing/synchronization also important for optimal networking, taking output directly from router into streamer not good idea, this where LAN filters, switches, reclocking devices should be placed. 

And the above brings me back to the idea of implementing an audiophile managed switch. One can eliminate noisy router,  filtering/isolation and reclocking all taken care of in one device, no need for all these add on devices/complications.

The single most important thing to remain mindful of,  baseline noise floor is set by the noisiest component in streaming chain, for most that will be the router. Implementing all the finest network components downstream of noisy router is rather futile as router remains the bottleneck. 

Also, don't forget a wifi enabled router not only contaminates nearby components with EMI-RFI but is greatly contaminating itself, max isolation of other components/parts within router is of very little concern to these manufacturers. 

I stay away from long ethernet cable runs, longest is 1.5m. By having ISP modem located in listening room, no muss no fuss install, all cable runs short and sweet. Don't care about the long run of ethernet for the whole house router.