I just chatted with Verizon tech. Explained I had some drop outs and wondered if the CR1000 was better. He said no. He gave me my option of a new G3100 or a new CR1000A. So I have a new G3100 coming. I hope I remember to also return the old [power supply :).
Network optimization for serious streamers
In my ongoing experiments, now going on seven years, with network optimization for streaming I've discovered a number of optimizations that should work with any ethernet ISP.
I've tried a variety of ethernet cables, modems, routers, switches, FMC, ethernet filters, the following is what I've found to be most effective optimizations.
I'll start with ISP quality and speed. Recently I discovered 500mbps to be preferable to 300mbps. Along with upgrade in speed, modem capable of 1gb service replaced 600mbps, both have Broadcom chips and powered by same lps. Can't say which more responsible for improvement, speed or modem, presume speed has at least some role in ping time. As for ISP, there is importance in ISP server geographic location to you, shorter distances means lower ping time. For information as to how ping time affects jitter-https://www.fusionconnect.com/speed-test-plus/ping-jitter-test
Now for modems, modem close to audio system is most favorable, extending coax cable preferable to long ethernet cable. Coax more resistant to rfi and closer positioning to system means one can more easily afford top quality ethernet cable for modem to router connection. The modem should use Broadcom chipset vs. inferior Intel Puma, Broadcom chipset has lower jitter vs the Intel. Modem should be powered via external lps using quality DC and AC cables, lps to power conditioner for ultimate performance.
Following close positioning of modem to audio system, router should also be placed near modem in service of same advantage of making highest quality ethernet cable more affordable, in this case, modem to router and router to switches, streamers and NAS. Router should be powered with lps, this lps should be able to provide more amps than router requires in service of providing greater reliability, having lps with reserves of amperage means lps runs cooler, heat is enemy of reliability, longevity. As with modem, quality dc, ac cables and connection to power conditioner.
The next finding is new to me, provides very meaningful upgrade to streaming sound quality. Noise from wifi, injected both internally to router and externally with routers sitting close to audio systems has long been a concern to me. I have quality Trifield meter which measures rfi, router with operational wifi manufacture obscenely high levels of rfi, rfi is noise, noise is enemy of streaming at level we're talking about here. And its very likely the more wifi devices one has in home the higher the levels of rfi produced. This noise is then injected into following cables and streaming equipment. One may convince themselves FMC totally isolates this noise, and while correct, it doesn't mitigate the noise and masking going on within router. The only way to eliminate this noise is turning off wifi. And then, how to provide wifi for the many wifi devices we have at home? The answer is to connect a second router to the primary router. The primary router will only provide ethernet for streamers, switches and/or NAS in audio system, also for the second router. Second router provides wifi for the home, this scheme keeps vast majority of rfi out of audio system streaming chain. My own measurements find rfi significantly diminished in primary router, more than mulitiples of ten times lower vs wifi enabled. This was seamless install with the Netgear routers I'm using. There may also be value in provisioning higher quality routers. My new primary router, Netgear XR1000 is marketed as a gamer router, claims of lower ping time, latency, jitter vs other routers. Since my old router, Netgear RS7000 didn't have means to monitor ping time I can't provide evidence of this claim. Whatever the case, my XR1000 ping time test measurements are as follows, 25.35ms highest, 16.50ms lowest, this is A+ measurements against objective criteria. Ping time under load is download 25.93ms, upload 37.34ms, idle 17.31ms, this rates as A. My speed of 565gbps rates B grade, likely need 1gb service to get A here. At to how this all pertains to sound quality, adding up the upgrade in ISP speed and the off loading of wifi is without a doubt one of the most substantial, if not most substantial network upgrades I've experienced. While I long considered my setup as having a vanishing low noise floor, with this setup I heard a new level of vanishing if such a thing is possible. Even more astounding was a more analog like presentation, while I wasn't aware of even the slightest digital presentation prior, this upgrade certainly exposed it was indeed there. It seems logical to conclude there has been some lowering of jitter here.
And then we come to the ethernet filter. I suppose audiophile switches can be considered as one, then we have actual filters such as Network Acoustics Muon, my JCAT Net XE and others. I continue to believe these necessary even with the all measures above.
Optical conversion is also valid approach post router. While I found generic FMC somewhat effective, at this point I prefer ethernet. On the other hand I've not yet tried optimizing a fiber solution, for example two Sonore OpticalModules, both powered by lps, further upgraded with Finisar optical transceivers.
Assuming one has high resolving audio and streaming systems the above network optimizations should provide for substantial sound quality improvements. In my system, perception of performers in room has been taken to a new level of intimacy, meaning a more emotional connection to the performers and performance.
At this point, I consider network has been fully optimized, the only upgrade I'm aware of would be ISP upgrade to 1gb.
Showing 14 responses by fastfreight
Hello @agisthos,
I had similar feelings of my first 'audiophile switch upgrade'. but the JCAT M12 Gold is the real deal. To me it was a great value for what it added. AND, the JCAT Optimo 3 power supply for the M12 gold was also well worth it, to me.
+1 on Network Acoustic Filters. I now have the Muon Pro Filter System and love it. It is placed just in front of my streamer. I also like its passive nature, so no concerns about power supply. So far no fiber for me....
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Good Morning @agisthos, First, I believe the JCAT M12 Gold is similar / related to / modified??? Telegartner Japan switch. I found out much about it on the What's Best Audio forum. I even hear there is a newer version of the M12 coming, but I am so good with my present M12 Gold. My M12 is located in my computer office, actually serving as switch between my Modem, Nucleus+, and two lines to my two main systems. Some suggest better impact if placing the M12 switch right in front of my streamer, but I need a switch so upstream it went. I have never owned or heard an Eno. I first got a Muon (system, with the second cable) last year and absolutely loved it. So much I bought a second, so one for each system. When I added an Auralic Aries G2.1 with the Muon, I had connection issues. Now I have the new 1G/s Muon Pro. It connects perfectly with my 1G needy Auralic streamer. AND, to us, the Muon Pro System sounds even better than the Muon. Since we never know what speeds may later prove to be a bottleneck, I would strongly say just get the Pro System. I also originally started with an EtherRegen, which did help also, but is not needed with the Muon. Hope that helps!
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Hi @agisthos, At the switch end I use four JCAT M12 Gold cables (two came with the M12). These are 2m each. They go to my Modem, the Nucleus and both systems. To extend the LAN to my music areas, I use the Supra Cat 8. I connect the M12 Gold cable to the Supra with JCAT Net Isolators, which are the best LAN coupler I see available. At the streamer end, I connect the Supra Cat 8 directly to the Network Acoustics Muon Pro cable, again using a JCAT Net Isolator. I avoid any wall plates and run the Supra through the wall. I could connect the Supra directly into the Muon Pro Filter, but Rich at NA says use their Muon Pro Cable into the filter for best performance. |
Hello all, including @thyname @lalitk @antigrunge !
Hope everyone is well. Enjoying our 1 year anniversary on Tortola!
so I now have my GrimmMU1 going AES into my Tambaqui and love it. I have sold my Aries G2.1. I now am not using my super Gucci Sean Jacobs DC4 Ar6 power supply. It has three outputs which can be adjusted, at least one. 12v and two others. Being in your guys camp off everything matters, I am considering using this top power supply for my M12 Gold switch and my Verizon G3100 modem. I already have a JCAT OPTIMO 3 Duo doing this nicely. It costs about 2000 vs about 10,000 for the Sean Jacobs. The OPTIMO 3 is also likely easier to sell. what do you think? :) and what is the barrel connection into the G3100 Verizon modem??? None of the adapters I try work. One fits in but I do not think the center pin makes contact. Do I need to buy a replacement from Verizon and cut it off? Please help! Thanks! |
@thyname you may have the exact same issue with a loose wire in your modem power supply necessitating it’s replacement. 😊 only a 90 minute chat yielded a technical assistant who thought it was strange but did indeed send a replacement ps. Strange I asked that a $2 part might have a loose internal connection? Every time it was bumped it would blink the power on and off….. |
@macdude @lalitk , I am working on this. I have obtained a spare Verizon power supply and sent it along with my Realization DC cable to KS for retermination. what is the deal with the barrel connector from Verizon? The outside dimension seems to match an adapter I have, but is it the inside center pin connector? Is this a proprietary design or non standard connector from Verizon? Sucks to be humbled by such a seemingly simple part in a complex chain... |
Hello @Mitch2, I have attempted to get my wifi router out of my audio chain. So I have Verizon G3100 modem (with wifi disabled), (and working on using one of my LPS with it after I conquer the DC barrel end fitting), feeding M12 Gold Switch with matching 1.5m M12 ethernet cables and nice LPS. From the M12 I run 15 and 20 meter Supra Cat 8 to my music rooms. There, I have NA Muon Pro Filter Systems feeding Grimm MU1, and K-S Elation AES into my Tambaqui. For my wifi, a separate feed from the Verizon Modem connects to my Eero Pro Mesh wifi system. My thinking is this puts the wifi part of everything separate from the M12 switch side, feeding my music. |
@thyname you should come visit! |
Hello @thyname !
Yes this has been mentioned and considered. When I first got the M12, I tried it right in front of my streamer; it sounded amazing. But, I need a switch where it is now (feeding two wired audio systems), so that is where I thought it should go. It may or may not sound quite as impactful that far upstream. Options would be to put a more 'regular' switch where the M12 is and place the M12 right after (or in front of? ) the Muon Pro. I do not want to go backwards though with an inferior switch. Or, add a second M12 at the system. This I resisted since the M12 and its wires look a little like an Edward Scissorhands haircut! thoughts??? and of course now there is the M12 PREMIUM! |
@thyname et al, Does anyone know if the G3100 and the Cr1000a (or(b) share the same DC plug receptacle? Switching the routers is easier than switching the DC plugs! I was told I was getting the Cr1000a and the G3100 arrived. Both were current models. I use the term modem (perhaps incorrectly) as I disable the wifi. Both are gigabit capable. I never have issues streaming video, but occasionally get drop outs (stopping) of my Roon. I do have fiber and an ONT in my garage. Thanks |