WiFi streaming — streamer vs. through iPad

A streamer with only an Ethernet port does not require hard wiring.

Just get a wall wart WiFi extender and plug in next to the streamer.. then plug into that. $59 solution. Mine and many $100K systems work great off of that.

I have streamed, as you, have from PC, Macs, iPads… you want a dedicated streamer. Whole different category. My vinyl and streaming sound the same. You can see my system under my ID. But this can be done in different price categories.

OP, I would just use the same company that makes your router… if Netgear get Netgear… if Linksys get Linksys.

If you later want to improve a bit get an EtherRegen to go in between the extender and the streamer. But good streamers isolate, cashe, and make up for signal deficiencies.

Airplay is a very inferior transfer mechanism.

A high quality streamer will sound the same with stored files, CDs, vinyl albums, and better on higher resolution streamed files (Qobuz has 1/2 million high resolution albums). To achieve this, you simply need to choose the appropriate components.

I highly recommend Qobuz. My audio dealer kept recommending it to me… finally I did it… I couldn’t quite figure out why I waited… they have around 500,000 high resolution albums vs around 50,000 for It’s nearest competitor. Don’t wait!

I do not think you are going to hear a difference between an extender and mesh. I have had a friend that has had noting but problems with mesh. Mesh is just newer. So, tne bugs will get worked out. But. My experience suggests the biggest difference is in the streamer you use. The better the streamer, the better it isolates and sounds better with any input.

OP,

‘’Great move. I look forward to hearing the results you experience.