Router for Audio Streaming
I have been streaming Pandora, Spotify and Qobuz through a wifi network streamer from a Netgear AC1750 R6400v2 router with no sound quality complaints.
Recently a router firmware update failed (a known issue with these) and as a result it is no longer accessible for administration. It still seems to perform ok and accepts new devices however the network settings are "frozen" and I am unable to view device IP addresses or traffic, neither via desktop browser nor via the Nighthawk app.
I will try a factory reset but have read that quite often this does not work in these situations, so I started investigating getting a new router to be able to pull the trigger quickly if needed.
I heard/read that routers can make a difference in sound quality, beyond just being able to keep up with streaming with no buffering. I'm wondering what router experience and recommendations folks have here for reliable audio streaming with superior sound quality at a reasonable price.
Thanks!
The biggest improvement you can make - once you get some router working - is the UpTone Audio EtherRegen switch. It requires an ethernet cable connection to your router. It will give you one "clean" port out to your streamer/player. It gets rid of all the garbage generated in your router and its power supply. If you got anything above entry level stuff, you'll hear the difference in soundstage and clarity.
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@yoramguy1, wireless is truly inferior. It's like going back to MP3's instead of CD's. Digital signals in routers, cables and WiFi are not 1's and 0's. They are analog square waves that get decoded as 1's and 0's. All sorts of things - cheap routers, cheap power supplies, EMI and RFI - all interfere with those square waves being perfectly square. If they're not square, the timing gets distorted. Sending a low-buck radio signal through the air - WiFi - gets interfered with really easily. Ethernet cables do a much better job. The UpTone Audio EtherRegen switch cleans up the problems really well for the price. If you want to spend a lot of money - and who does? - you can use a reclocker and get more perfect square waves. I've got a relatively expensive system, $7k speakers and $5k amp, and use the EtherRegen. I've got SQ and soundstage depth and width that most audiophiles only dream about. WiFi will only give you distortion. I had an electrician run an ethernet cable from my router about 60' to my listening room for $600. $600 incredibly well spent. With your Bryston system - assuming it's set up correctly and your speakers are well positioned - you'll hear a clear improvement in soundstage and SQ.
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