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WiFi streaming — streamer vs. through iPad

I’m currently streaming Qobuz in my HeadFi rig to my DAC via my iPad via an upgraded dongle and USB cable and was pretty happy til I hooked up my CD transport and realized it sounds much better than than streaming.  After speaking with some folks here I’ve since realized I need to get a dedicated streamer hardwired to my router to up my streaming performance, but I’ve got a couple situations where going hardwired won’t be possible and will be forced to use WiFi.  My question is, if I’m using WiFi would there still be a sonic benefit to using a streamer (I’m planning on getting an iFi Zen Stream BTW) versus going wired through my iPad or will using WiFi completely nullify any sonic advantages the streamer brings?  Thanks for any thoughts/advice. 

soix

Showing 2 responses by antigrunge2

antigrunge2
1,366 posts
 

@soix 

You hit it on the head.

antigrunge2
1,366 posts
 

Wifi works fine when there are few neighbouring networks and not too much traffic to different devices on your own. In a city setting wifi tends to be challenged by lack of bandwidth and too many sources for distortion. When you have a  lot of other networks near you, choosing a channel that isn’t used by others rather than have the router select automatically can help. Under no circumstances use mains based wifi repeaters, they attract too much distortion. As always: try and see how it sounds.

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