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Wifi vs ethernet revisited

For this discussion I want us to forget the usual problems of wifi: stuttering, buffering, loss of signal strength. Let’s assume we have a strong, reliable wireless connection. Questions: how would you rank the following:

1. [No wireless, my current config] Ethernet from router -> Switch (or OM) -> fiber -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

2. Eero wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> streamer.

3. Eero Wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

Or, to really go hybrid and (probably nuts):

4. Eero wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> Switch (or OM) -> fiber -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

I haven’t done [4] yet. But to my ears, [1] definitely beats {2] and (less emphatically maybe) beats [3] even though I have a very strong Eero wireless mesh system. Maybe my assumptions to begin with are still wrong? I can’t seem to read a good forum thread where the usual stuttering’/buffering problems (that we all know about) are removed. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

debrajray
soix
9,962 posts
 

It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on #4 if you get around to it as it would be a more apples-to-apples comparison with #1.  Or I suppose taking fiber out of #1 and comparing to #3 could also be interesting.  In any event it’s interesting stuff, and thanks for sharing. 

mahler123
3,465 posts
 

Great post Eric

cleeds
6,061 posts
 

erik_squires

... for critical path things like my work PC and streaming I stick to hard wired. That way when things don’t work I know it’s NOT the Wifi ...

Exactly! A wired network removes a whole layer of complexity.

debrajray OP
33 posts
 

@erik_squires thank you for your advice. I have a very long run of Ethernet cable to the switch followed by fiber etc as described earlier. I’m going to try option 4 as per @soix’s suggestion as well. Will leave it on for a few days — assuming the immediate sq is equivalent as I suspect it will be — and then take a call. (Though maybe it’s best to leave well enough alone as you suggest.)

erik_squires
16,554 posts
 

I do have a couple of tips. If using Ethernet over long runs (20’ or more) use an IEC 60601 certified isolator at the end of the run. It adds 4kV of surge protection. Don’t use shorting Ethernet surge protectors. EverStar is cheapest, TrippLite, and Eaton have some at 2-3x the price. Nothing worse than losing a stack of equipment over blown network plugs. Audiophile versions are typically not tested to this standard so no idea how they’ll perform.

The other is if you have network devices near your audio/video gear consider upgrading the wall warts with iFi versions. They inject less noise back into your AC, but are typically 2x the cost of your Ethernet switch to begin with. 

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