Network optimization for serious streamers

@classdstreamer The notion that an internet connection (and everything connected to it) is potentially a source of electronic noise is a possible way to explain audible differences some people report when they experiment with fiber, power supplies, cabling, and other bespoke networking devices.

However, I cannot understand how network latency and jitter (again at reasonable levels) upstream of a streamer’s buffering could affect anything.

FWIW, I use a direct fiber connection to my streamer (from a relatively inexpensive switch with an sfp slot). While my results weren’t as dramatic as what you report, it remains.

@yyzsantabarbara I've never used the Etherregen so have no opinion. I will soon be experimenting with Finisar FTLX1475D33BTL optical transceivers in OpticalModule and Optical Rendu. Again, measure lower in jitter vs garden variety transceivers. These seem hard to get these days, most outlets have no stock. The few that do are charging arm and leg, I've seen $300 apiece . I came by these and custom build Owens Corning optical cable at After Dark. I'll be experimenting with these downstream side of my custom build streamer. Based on research I've undertaken, these transceivers will work with SGC equipment. Seem to remember someone trying with EtherRegen, can't recall outcome, also questionable if it would work with your dac.

In general terms I can't say improvements I'm hearing are mostly jitter or lower noise floor. Most noticeable improvement has been lower noise floor with these optimizations. I'm assuming jitter is issue based on more analog like sound quality I've attained. Ed Meitner of EMM  claims jitter heard as smaller sound stage and more nervous quality, or what most interpret as digititus. A large measure of improvement in digital components has been due to ever increasing immunity to jitter. The question is at what level does jitter cease to be perceived by humans. Are excellent or A+ grades for ping time as good as its gets, or are there perceptible differences within these grading levels?

@classdstreamer I'm aware of the Ubiquity products, some claim using them in series provides even greater benefits. I do have an enterprise level router sans wifi in house, MikroTik CCR1036=8G-2S. integrating this into system will come in time.

No doubt fiber may be good solution, I've preferred ethernet over fiber pre server, fiber post streamer. This preference has continued, whether this is due to superiority of usb rendering via OpticalRendu vs motherboard usb in streamer is the question. When I install JCAT usb XE in streamer I'll determine whether any optical remains in my setup.

Again, all the above upgrades can be done with little financial outlay vs. the huge amount some of us spend on streamers, dacs, rest of system. People can determine for themselves whether these upgrades effective or not. The consumer grade products are both less costly and simpler for those without great knowledge of networking, good place to start.

@sns Thanks for posting your thoughts and impressions of your ongoing network optimizations. Improving the network pre-server is a task I will be handling once my DIY server is complete. The great variety of streaming setups out there makes finding a unified reference difficult. Many people find UTP into the server preferable to fiber into the server. Fiber pre-router/switch is more agreed upon as netting positive results.

To complicate things on my end, Taiko has made their network card available to non-Extreme owners. This presents another option vs the Startech or Xilinx network cards I am considering.

If I had fiber ISP I'd at least try optimized fiber setup pre streamer vs ethernet conversion, who knows what my new Finisar transceivers bring to the table.

@bruce19 Missed your post on ambient noise levels. And yes, this has long been concern of mine, even started thread on this some time ago. I only listen evenings when ambient noise levels lower vs day, besides I have other activities for daytime. Anyway, daytime ambient noise levels are typically in 40 to 50db, at night they more typically in 30's, can drop down as low as high 20's. I turn off most noise makers in house, including refrigerator, kitchen adjoins listening room, storm windows down in winter, little traffic or wind noise outside is prime. So yeah, ambient noise level is absolutely critical for detecting lowest noise floors from our audio systems!

Also, for those attempting the two router setup, my original router which became my secondary router was already set up for network access, therefore, when used as secondary or whole house wifi router, all my wifi devices still saw that network connection point, manually clicked on it, voila, instant internet access. Believe I had to reboot some devices. Also to eliminate IP address conflicts I reserved/assigned IP addresses to my audio network devices, therefore, streamer, NAS and Sonore OpticalRendu, also this for my RS7000 or secondary router.

I understand there has been some conversation about jitter and it's impact on networks and/or our ability to hear it. I will have to admit that some part of what I'm hearing as more analog presentation may be due in part to burn in of various devices and parts more recently installed. This includes Duelund Cast coupling caps in 300B amps, JCAT Optimo S ATX linear power supply for custom streamer, tons of parts to burn in for 3 rail, 30amp capable power supply, and perhaps to lesser extent, the OpticalModule. No doubt some of the blooming lends itself to perception of more analog like presentation. Still, I hear and have heard improvements in flow and timing over the years with  network upgrades, so this implies jitter may impact sound quality.

Is it preferable to have 2 switches in the chain? For example I have my Spectrum Modem connected to a Linksys router then connected to a cheap 5 port Switch. The Cat 8 ethernet cable is 35 feet long and connects to another LHY high quality switch which I have a good .5 meter silver Ethernet cable connected to my Enos filter connected to the streamer. I could go back and directly connect the long run ethernet cable directly to a port on the Linksys router and eliminate the first switch for streaming. Would that be a benefit? (I know I can try it myself, just asking)

BTW, my upstairs Apple Air Port router is connected to the cheap switch to run the upstairs PC, TV, HT stuff. So my dedicated 2 channel listening room has it's own dedicated connection as stated.