Upstream Bottlenecks, Experience, Opinions, Meitner Dac

One of things we have all learned over time is that cables, dongles, filters, switches, linear power supplies, switch mode power supplies, power conditioners, power cable, dedicated lines, etc etc etc...they ALL do something. Device A with cable B and power supply C, when combined, make an amazing difference. Device D with with dongle E, when combined, sound amazing. Then, like we all HAVE to try....we combine Devices A, B, C, D, E and presto! It sucks.

There is no substitute for trying and there is no guarantee that if one is good five are better. Try things, make notes, decide if you like it and then, if its worth it. From some of the photos I’ve seen of some systems, if you tell me my room has to look like some of those rooms to get 2% more performance, I will pass. The most important thing, have fun and enjoy your music.

@sns You've got a great conditioner, just as I suspected! Do you mind sharing which lps you use on the router? Separate, right?  Also, you mentioned a few comments earlier in this discussion that you use a AQ Vodka from modem to router.  Have you experimented with using basic 5e patch cables there instead?  Find a significant diff?  

Thanks

Someone mentioned interest in a sub $300 LPS in another thread or forum and  zerozone was mentioned.   I’m taking a gamble and placed an order in for a Zerozone 100VA 12V Ultra Low Noise LPS HI-END Linear Power Supply from China, under $200 after shipping. eBay. For router use. Will power it with a shielded Signal Cable.

@ghasley , you are so correct, so many variables they could ultimately have a net negative effect. Lots to try and notes to take. Beware of analysis paralysis. 

@gladmo I have Netgear Nighthawk R7000 router, using TeraDak 12v 4amp lps. More than enough amps, been running for at least couple years 24/7, runs just warm to  touch.

On modem front, experimented with various setups. I'm lucky in that my cable entrance is in my dedicated audio room. I have 26' long room, modem originally at far end of room, opposite of audio system. So I tried various generics, can't recall all the iterations, 5,6,7 I think. Then I went to AQ Cinnamon, thought I heard a bit of improvement in sound quality. After that, wanted further upgrade, getting pretty expensive with 26' of AQ Vodka which I was using on rest of streaming setup. So then I moved modem to other end of room, extending coax the 26', AQ Vodka modem to router, pretty major upgrade with this.
 

Prior to this router followed exact same path, from opposite side of room to same. This was also pretty substantial upgrade.

So, bottom line for me, both modem and router close to audio system, long coax superior to long ethernet, and better ethernet cable worthwhile.

TeraDac lps are fine for many streaming components, I must have ten of them altogether, over many years not a single issue. Use best lps on servers, streamers, the best make difference on these components. Power cords and power conditioners also important for every component,lps.

Ghasley correct, everything matters, and so many variations in streaming setups. Experimentation is key, be open to it!