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.
This link maybe very helpful and there is a ton of good information on this site. List of 71 Bad Cable Modems to Avoid in 2022 [Do Not Buy] (approvedmodems.org) |
Not enough.
@sns I did a little research : Cat 7 & Cat 8 require that all equipment and hardware in the system support a contiguous ground, or there will be no performance benefit to Cat 7/Cat 8 over previous standards such as Cat 6. |
@xaxxon bye bye.
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Freddie of Fricso who works for Cisco, loves to disco and is all knowing about audio and Ethernet. @thyname is right open and free flowing discussions are now officially over as Freddie is here and the thread is dead. See you all later. |
WTF? Freddie will never venture over to WBF with so many Manufacturers and actual Engineers there they will blast him right out of there. I am just a lowly MSME and barley passed my circuits and hydrodynamic requirements, so I look to folks at my company (EE's and IT Engineers) places like WBF for guidance. With the way my digital FE sounds I will listen to them before @fredrik222 for sure....
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I told in your last rant what my system consists of foolish Freddie. No Uptone products, No fancy pants switches. Quality CAT 8, Quality Modem, Quality Ethernet Switch and Fider Media Converters. Quality USB (Zavfino), Innuos Statement, DAC (LessLoss)...... Like I said my digital FE sounds awesome. Not sure why you brought up John Swenson or UpTone? Please do not answer that was a rhetorical question. Can tell your experience is very limited.
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No @fredrik222 I could care less what he is saying as I do not buy into the switch stuff, not yet anyway. No, he is a schmuck I do not care for him, nor do I care for you. And he is a pucking gamer. You have no idea what my world view is. Another question why are you even here? You only post on ethernet/networking threads. You are a troll!
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@coppy777 Very nice and nice digital FE Unit. |
So, Frisco Freddie @fredrik222 . I know actually the Colony but that doesn't sing. Let me ask you if Clocking on ethernet would make a difference? Here is a discussion from Germany on Ethernet cables and filters measurements. |
LOL and Yawn @fredrik222. Guess they have an antiquated digital front end. So it goes for those who have mediocre gear. Blue OS is weak at best. Cheers Freddie.
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That’s a fools bet @jetter . Be in the Colony Freddie how about it. Jitter your welcome to come along to but your probably busy tapping sap from trees. |
@fredrik222 guess reading is fundamental.
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@sns Sir thank you for starting this insightful discussion and I apologize for taking the troll's bait. Like a few here these trolls look for key elements in a thread and pounce on keywords and phrases. Makes me wonder if they are Russian or ASR bots.🤣😂🤣
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Actually he was told to remove the shielded cable. Only the facts man. @fredrik222 you seem to have an issue with the fact.
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Education @fredrik222 ? All you have done is belittle people that are looking into Ethernet enhancements or improvements. Did you view the video by Hans? You will belittle Hans and call it all snake oil. Hypocrisy at its finest.
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As I said before most of us are here to learn from others experiences and will determine what will work in our listening environment. Others seek out key words and phrases like bots just to snipe and disparage. Whether these words are related to geopolitical conditions or the state of our audio experience. The snipers know whom they are. |
@sns I bought 2 Finisar 1475 from CDW for under $200.00 they are OTW to me as I type. Trying them based on feedback at WBF.
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Finisar 1475 are in and getting a little burn in (LOL) before I give them a serious listen and compare to the FCBGSD1CO3. I am using Seiko, Glass Fiber FO cable. 0.5 meters. Entire chain is highly optimized, modem, switches Supra CAT 8 and Galvanic Isolators. Fiber right up to the house. No Wi-Wi all FO and Ethernet. |
Best Wi-Fi tweak was from my son. He said dad get that freaking router out of your listening room, out it went. LPS is critical and I replaced every WW in my listening room. Todays experiment will be removing two boxes in my chain. Replacing one SPF Box and my Ethernet Switch with this: $149.00 and if it doesn't work out then out it goes! Zyxel Multi-Gig 12-Port Unmanaged Switch with 2-Port 2.5G and 2-Port 10G SFP+ Desktop/Wallmount, 5-Years Warranty [XGS1010-12]
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Finisar FTLX1475D3BCL - SFP+ Transceiver Module - 10 GigE. To truly reap the full benefits for this transceiver one must have FMC that is designed for use with SFP+ transceivers. Yes noise and jitter will be reduced using a standard 1.25g Fiber Media Converter (TP Link, 1Gtek, Sonore optical module deluxe). I will be installing the two of the FS P/N: UMC-1S1T, to determine if they will truly be viable in my digital ecosystem. This type of FMC will also be beneficial I believe if you are using the FCBG110SD1C01, this is truly as nice a sounding transceiver as the 1475 in a 1.25g FMC also. 110SD1C1 is a better value as it comes with the Corning BIF FO cable.
100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10GBase-T to 10GBase-X SFP+ Unmanaged Fiber Media Converter - FS |
I know over at WBF a few people have complained of connectivity and dropouts with the SFP + being used with the OM and the Sotom. When the replaced with a 1g sfp everything is fine. So it may be a spotty issue or they have missed matched modules. I will report back my findings once my new FMC arrive. Maybe slowed a bit by the weather down here in Dallas, I can play hockey on my driveway today. |
@singingg I am not sure where it is you want to go…but these are far superior 10G FMC converters and with the this Finisar transceiver being SFP+ it will get close IMHO.
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@tonywinga have you tried the LHY switch earlier in the chain ahead of your first FMC? Kind of like a pre filter? I have 2 Ethernet switches ahead of my FMC, one at the router, one in my listening room leading into my fiber. Then copper with a isolator into my server,streamer. Only clocking is on the USB side going into my LessLoss Echos End. Clean, detailed, black background, all the Audiophile cliches….. |
