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Router for Audio Streaming

I have been streaming Pandora, Spotify and Qobuz through a wifi network streamer from a Netgear AC1750 R6400v2 router with no sound quality complaints.

Recently a router firmware update failed (a known issue with these) and as a result it is no longer accessible for administration.  It still seems to perform ok and accepts new devices however the network settings are "frozen" and I am unable to view device IP addresses or traffic, neither via desktop browser nor via the Nighthawk app.

I will try a factory reset but have read that quite often this does not work in these situations, so I started investigating getting a new router to be able to pull the trigger quickly if needed.

I heard/read that routers can make a difference in sound quality, beyond just being able to keep up with streaming with no buffering.  I'm wondering what router experience and recommendations folks have here for reliable audio streaming with superior sound quality at a reasonable price.

Thanks!

yoramguy1
cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

Even the most basic home router you can buy can EASILY keep up with audio, as long as your provider/cable modem can also keep up.  You do not need anything fancy.  Even the most basic routers can do 100 Mbits/sec which is more than enough for even the highest sampled digital music, as long as you are not sharing the channel with a lot of other devices.

Since you want to use wifi, there are 3 band choices: 2.4G, 5G and 6Gig.  2.4 has the most penetration and as a result the highest RSSI.  5G has better bandwidth but is prone to radar detection requirements, especially if you live any airport or military installation and hence you will be auto channel switching all the time anytime a radar pulse is detected (this is an FCC requirement).  6G is very new and is most likely prone to firmware errors so I would hold off on it.

So probably your best bet is 2.4G band and if you make your streamer the ONLY device on that band, you are likely to get very good response.

 

yoramguy1 OP
68 posts
 

@cakyol , thanks.  I have been streaming audio over wifi for over 10 years, more than 3 with the current router.  My streamer requires 2.4GHz.  As I mentioned a few posts up I have around 10 devices on the same network and do not have issues.  Sound quality is on par with, maybe better than my Sony ES CD player (most likely thanks to the DAC). Speedtest is showing regularly 300-350 Mbps download at my Mac over wifi.

teknorob23
18 posts
 

@yoramguy1 apologies I missed that and I thought you were looking to explore how  you could improve SQ. if you’re streaming via Wi-Fi any, even basic routers will be fine. :)

yage
400 posts
 

@yoramguy1

The good news: Contrary to the Netgear horror stories I was able to hard-reset and update my current router and all is well.

Good stuff!

From your netstat output, it looks like your network is performing normally.

yoramguy1 OP
68 posts
 

Thank you, @yage !  It was very helpful.  That dump was before fixing the router.  I can only assume that nothing changed for the worse.  Thanks again!

@teknorob23, no worries!

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