I want to replace the router/modem Comcast with a high quality for streaming

hello ​​​@erik_squires,

makes sense now that I see you run ethernet out of your wifi router / switch.

as I have Verizon fios  fiber running into my garage, may I assume that it is relatively free of lightening surge risk?  I also have whole house surge protection on my main meter.

Internet service certainly varies and customer services is a thing of the past. That being said, my G3100 Modem delivers over 800 mps with my Verizon gigabit service.  I run it with a good linear power supply and have no wall warts in my computer audio circuit.

But to clean up the signal for very good audio. I now have the GTT Group Switch X.  Like several others, it is a good audiophile ethernet switch that cleans up the signal.  But the Switch X goes beyond this creating a clean network in your home, that only serves audio.  It works very well, and delivers, to me. a sound superior than any other switch alone I have owned or tried.

After inserting the Switch X between my Verizon modem and my audio feed, the soundstage and imaging greatly improve. I am hearing things well outside my speakers.  The image is super focused, and the sound more holographic.  Bass is better.  It is the real deal.  There is a ton of network noise in your home,  Your phones, laptops, tvs, smart appliances security etc all constantly ping the network.  Getting your audio feed clean from this is what the Switch X does.

Taiko does a similar thing with their Modem and their switch, and recommends them in front of their Extreme server.  Chris' (GTT) Switch X is a bargain.

Hi @lalitk !  I have the Muon Pro filter just before my streamer.  I too love the M12 gold.  Adding the Switch X and keeping the M12 is the bomb!  

@lalitk , +1 on the LinkUp 22g cat 8 cable.  I had initially run Supra cat 8 (my runs are about 40 feet) and the LinkUp is better.  I got this from you a bit ago, thanks!

Reasonable cost also from Amazon.

@carlsbad2 said:

There may be other options but this thread is about modems.  

That snarky remark was inappropriate and obtuse.  I  have ventured down the road of a better and new Modem, and like others, stayed with (in my situation) a Verizon 1G modem with a linear power supply.  The Switch X acts as a SECOND MODEM creation a network in your home completely separate from you provider network.  It is this  CLEAN NETWORK which improves the sound by eliminating all your home network traffic (significant unless you have 0 devices in your home).  This approach form me has clearly improved the sound, better than adding any other switch I have tried after the heretofore discussed modems.  So anyone considering buying an expensive modem to replace their Verizon or Comcast modem should consider this.

@fuzztone , 

"Copy the "no difference in SQ"

You are free to spend like there is no tomorrow"

Well my Verizon G100 modem was FREE, and my system does sound better with the Switch X.  I can easily hear it.  That makes a difference.  Enjoy the music.

Hi @carlsbad2 ,  I will retract 'snarky'!  Would love to hear a Lampi DAC like yours in my system.  I see we both share the Grimm.  Have you seen GTT's  internal MU1 modification  with a new Realization ethernet cable?  Bill states it is an easily heard upgrade.  I have done it with another cable (and it is easy to hear), but my KS is coming.  I think any good ethernet cable inside the Grimm vs the generic one is an upgrade.  It plugs in at both ends with a standard ethernet plug, and is either 13" or shorter depending upon the MU1 version.  I have learned that it is THE LAST cable before your streamer that matters the most.  So no matter what cable (or filter) employed prior to the Grimm, the internal stock cable degrades it.

Hi @cleeds ,  I first heard the Switch X at CAF.  GTT's room sounded better than most, even with modest equipment.  I was then able to demo the Switch X in my home.  Having it in my system and then not for a bit was revealing.

Hi @erik_squires following up on 

Fiber optic cables, lacking in any metal components, cannot transmit an electrical surge from point to point.

For this reason I use a fiber converter between the cable modem and Wifi router.  There are still potential paths through the AC wiring, but that's dealt with by a UPS with surge protection. 

so this would stop electrical surge into the WiFi router?  But only into the WiFi router?  Are you using Ethernet cable from your modem to your audio gear?

I am just wondering why only protecting the WiFi router..or is it because you have fiber coming into an ONT prior to your modem so that is already not going to get hit?      Thanks!

Hello @jmfinney ,

Regarding your Verizon Fios G-3100 router, I had difficulty matching the barrel size of the DC cable from LPS that I tried to power the router with. Seemed like DC plug was closest to 2.8mm but not exactly. Do you know what size barrel the plug is? I may try the LPS again. 

I too tried unsuccessfully to find the correct DC barrel plug for my LPS.  So  I told Verizon that my AC adapter was defective and got them to send me another one.  I had Joe Kubala cut this one off and make me a new DC cable.  Not ideal but better than the wall wart!  

@macdude this is EXACTLY what I did.  Except I got Verizon to send me a new wall wart since mine was 'defective'!  So I have a very new and nice Kubala Sosna DC cable with an existing Verizon plug on the end!  It sounds amazing being powered from my SJ DC4 AR6!!!  Sound and picture have improved!

Hi @macdude !  Interesting.  But I do feed house Verizon TV and Mesh Wifi off of the Verizon Modem and then also feed my audio switches and separate modem and wifi just for audio (Clean Network through GTT DeJitterit).  Thanks!