Mesh network versus a simple Wi-Fi extender

Lotsa good info here. Thanks! I found it interesting, although completely common sense, that in addition to longer distances if you have multiple users a Mesh system is probably preferable. Also, the ability to prioritize which node gets preference is significant. I mean, I love my two teenage boys and all, but my audio needs preference to their gaming sometimes. They’ll live (and they also won’t know — heh heh). Us parents still have some power.

That said, I’m still a little iffy on the specific question about the sound quality (not including dropouts or signal strength) in using an extender versus Mesh.  I’ve not heard a pure A/B comparison just on sound quality assuming both generate a sufficiently strong signal.  Sorry if I missed something.  Right now I’m gleaning that absolute sound quality with a wired Ethernet connection from the extender/node to the streamer is similar given a sufficient signal as in both circumstances people seem to be very happy with either.  A direct A/B comparison in good conditions would be most helpful.  Learned a lot of good info here already though!  Keep it coming. 

You just need a strong WiFi signal for smooth performance. Does not matter how you get that. Mesh is typically better if more than two devices needed for that.  If starting from scratch, mesh offers more flexibility to expand over time as needed. 

The purpose of Mesh is seamless transition between wireless routers for mobile devices that are actually moving through the coverage area. I use a higher-end Asus (6 antennas I think) as the master and three Asus AC1900's (Ethernet-connected) 'nodes' to cover an acre (house + yard). I like the Asus routers for their features. One of their capabilities pertinent to this conversation is the ability to 'lock' individual devices to specific routers in the Mesh network (so the device will not get reassigned to another router). Another feature pertinent to audio is their built-in NAS capability. I have a 3TB drive filled with FLAC files on the master router, and use it to stream music to Denon AVR6400H via HEOS in the basement and BluOS devices in the 2-ch stable (BS Node N130, NAD M12, C658, C388), occasionally PC, tablet and phone - works great.

@soix.     

I use a netgear extender for a pretty good hi rez headphone system.  I have for comparison purposes connected my streamer directly to my modem.  In doing so I hear no difference in SQ from the 100ft run in a 2 story house using the extender.  If you're only connecting one component like a router you don't need to invest in a mesh system, imo.  ymmv.

Sorry meant to say one component like a streamer.