Recommend a good router/modem combo please

My Nighthawk has worked flawlessly for a couple years. I put Bitdefender on it (sans the VPN) and other than blocking an attack by my trail camera (my doing) the Bitdefender runs without issue.

A speed test shows I get better than advertised upload and download speeds.

But if you are going new get the latest and greatest. Spend the extra $$$ to go overkill. 
And be sure it is compatible with your service providers signal.  

@kingbr - my modem and router system are separate.

The mesh systems are great but as others have pointed out they can get expensive.  Since your end game is getting a cleaner signal to your streamer I would strongly consider an Ethernet filter.  It would go between your network switch and streamer.  

I recently added one and the bang for the buck is crazy.  Very big improvement in SQ.  There are lots to choose from at all different price points.  Sorry if this was a little off topic.  Good luck and cheers.  

Hi @fastfreight Thanks man, mine has evolved too actually. I just bought my first Ethernet Switch as well. And like you I have noticed improvements along the way. I am relatively new to streaming and am loving it! And even though I’m relatively new to streaming I’m going all in-LOL! For me the biggest improvement was when I added a Hermes DDC to the chain in front of my Pontus DAC…Thanks again for taking the time to respond and share…

Hi @kingbr 

So my digital front end evolved in many ways over about 7 years. I think it all matters and I heard incremental upgrades all along the way.  Today I have a Verizon Modem,  as I agree with some who have said don't fight this issue with the provider.  But, a good LPS on it makes a difference.  I then have a nice switch, again with a nice LPS and then feed my audio.  My wifi Router is separate, an Eero three unit mesh system that works great.  My main systems are wired for audio, but I do run Sonos speakers upstairs off the wifi.

Thanks for the replies! Good stuff. Interesting @ghdprentice that you went back to Comcast. I have read the same story from others and there is definitely some frustration saved as you say if it’s Comcast it’s their problem. 
 

@mitch2 ​​​​@fastfreight you both use separate power supplies for your router? I’m looking to do an all in one that’s why I was looking at the combo.So does the TPLink kit you reference do both modem/router?

I have used top of the line Nighthawks and a couple other brands. I just got frustrated with Comcast pointing fingers at the router or modem and got the Xfinity modem/router. When there is a problem... it is their problem. 

In all of this swapping there was no effect in sound quality to my Aurender streamers. These streamers effectively isolate you from the network. Lessor quality streamers may not. I prefer to get an audio component that is not sensitive to the network instead of fiddling with the network. 

BTW, I run both the modem and router from linear power supplies connected to a power line that is dedicated to my network gear and music server in a separate room, and only connected to my main system via a fiber optic line that feeds the Roon endpoint/streamer.

+1 @mitch2 !  Very similar for me, except no fiber.  I run a better ethernet cable to my Roon endpoint / streamer.  I run this directly through the walls and avoid cheap wall couplers.  If I do need to couple the ethernet cable I use these from JCAT:

https://jcat.eu/product/net-isolator-gigabit-network-isolator/

I quit using Xfinity gear ages ago and typically purchase one of the lesser expensive modems from their current list (be sure to buy something on their list) with the caveats that it not be too old that it will be knocked off the list soon, and that it be from a known manufacturer with reasonably good reviews, but not necessarily the best.

For routers, I like mesh systems.  I have my main system wired directly from the mesh system base router (that is hard-wired to the modem) but my two auxillary systems are hard-wired to mesh satellites (i.e., the satellites are interlinked with the base router unit by wi-fi but the auxillary streamers/endpoints are hard-wired to the satellites).  My first mesh system was an Orbi but those have gotten dreadfully expensive.  I recently upgraded and purchased a $400 Wi-Fi 7 mesh system from Costco that has been working great (linked below):

TP-Link Deco BE11000 Wi-Fi 7 Tri-Band Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, 3-pack

BTW, I run both the modem and router from linear power supplies connected to a power line that is dedicated to my network gear and music server in a separate room, and only connected to my main system via a fiber optic line that feeds the Roon endpoint/streamer.