Streaming, Getting the Signal, Then What?

No. Using I2S output.

Wow! I cannot believe how quickly my OP went off topic. No, I am not changing my "stupid" AirLens.  And no, at this point, my DirectStream DAC MK1 is not "on the chopping block."  I could not have been more clear in my OP, that the equipment I have is the equipment relevant to this discussion. 

Go take that discussion elsewhere please. 

I appreciate audioman58 starting in the right direction mentioning Motorola 8702 and LHY SW-8 switch.  Please stay on OP topic. Greatly appreciated. 

And to zlone, excellent point - no, there's nothing in my current setup that bothers me - nothing. I am just exploring a potential step up allowing my ISP signal to be possibly better than what I am experiencing through my current Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 modem/router device. 

danager

Trying to get your streamer the cleanist electrical signal might help.  If you use dimmer light switches turn them off or all the way on.  Removing any switching power supplies from the circuit and feeding the streamer with ethernet not WiFi is an easy way to optimize your sound.  I haven't tried all the tweaks like running my router with a LPS or replacing the Ethernet cable with fibre but in some instances it might reduce  background noise.

Interesting you should post this. In May '23 I completely rewired my listening area creating two 45' home runs from new, premium SquareD panel and replaced ALL my loft's 15/20amp breakers with premium breakers, all seated and torqued to manufacturer's spec using about $900 worth of McMaster-Carr silver paste. The two 45' home runs to my equipment is 8 gauge into separate PSA Power Port Classic receptacles. My electrician thought I was crazy. "You're the boss."  Mu sources are fed through a PSA PowerPlant 15.

Also, I like this and the input from audphile1

The biggest change to your sound without throwing money at it is to bypass the preamp and use the. DAC s volume control.  

I'll check back in tomorrow,,,

Thanks eric_squire

The two main reasons to use your own router are cost and security....

Right now the bargains in Wifi routers are Wifi 6 capable unit which are being discounted now that Wifi 7 is out.  They'll serve you well for many years.

I own my Netgear Nighthawk and stay up to date. And my 1,000 sf. factory loft has minimal walls, 11' rough masonry ceilings. The modem/router is placed centrally. So mesh is not an issue. And it is Wifi 6 DOCSIS 3.1. It was a $500 unit in Jan. '22. 

Any other ON TOPIC suggestions to augment my current setup or possibly step up a grade or two from the Nighthawk? 

SNS

Good test for quality of streaming chain. Streaming sound quality should be at least equal to cd's played over quality transport.

Good point. Thanks. 

Thanks all. I now see that erik_squires may be correct, that there may not be a realistic upgrade. I am going to print this thread and come to my own conclusion. Perhaps it is only tweaks that may conceivably make a small difference.

Thanks all. 

If you are using a combination modem/router my one remaining suggestion is to use a gas discharge surge suppressor at the entrance of the cable to your building.

I live in a 160 year old brick factory building condo-ized back in 2007. So I cannot access the entrance of the cable into the building.  I am going through an upmarket surge protector immediately in front of my modem/router.

The newer one on the block is the smoothlan, also a money back guarantee. I haven't tried it yet, but for under $300 it is a no-brainer. 

Thanks tshark, mclinnguy and nigeltheflash. This is exactly what my OP requested; working with what I already have massaging my source/stream into my AirLense. 

Adding and LPSU is news to me.  But consider I run a dedicated 8 gauge home run into PS Audio Power Port II outlet which has a PS PowerPlant 15 plugged into that.  And my modem/router in the next room is also fed by a dedicated 12 gauge home run. Between the wall socket and the modem/router is a Panamax MR4000 line conditioner and surge protector. I've got to think I have this pretty well handled.