How do I switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet cables?


My Bluesound Node currently receives Wi-Fi, but I'd like to switch to a direct link. I assume that would be with an ethernet cable from the modem to the Bluesound - with possibly a better switch between the two.

The problem is that my modem is in the basement and the Bluesound is on a different floor. There is not a clear path for running cable. 

Is there a piece of equipment or technology that I could help in this situation?

128x128imaninatural

Please don't take what I say as gospel, it is merely my experience.

Several have extolled the Asus Ai Mesh system and for what I have found is good reason: It works. It is easy to set up and tune and provides excellent coverage. We have one base router and two extenders. The router is upstairs in my office as I spend a lot of time there and it's easy to cycle the power on the network should I need to reset anything. It's also easy to log into the nodes via my PC or the app on my phone for firmware upgrades.

One extender is in my wife's office. It supports her work PC, her VOIP phone and coverage out to our gazebo. Makes it easy to stream music out there or control my BBQ smoker via wifi. 😉

The other extender is in our living room. It supports my Bluesound Node2 and sits across the room from the hifi. Note: Any wifi appliance will be "noisy" and can upset sensitive stereo gear. My CJ phono preamp was unusable! So the extender was moved and lives in a bookcase about 15' away then I ran Cat8 to the Node. I also shut off the LEDs on that node. No need to have them on. Voila! Clean, dependable streaming. No drilling. No one drilling holes, etc.

Some may denigrate using ANY wifi at all however consider this: Think about where the signal is coming from. Where on the planet is the music server originating and how many hundreds (thousands?) of hops between switches, etc. has it had to make before it reaches you?? 

Happy listening.

 

In other news members of the Audiogon forums have petitioned Elon Musk to extend Cat 8 cables from Starlink satellites to the surface of the earth as they are extremely concerned with signal quality over the air.

@musicfan2349 +1

To anyone interested in the Asus Ai Mesh system an "Extender" is any Asus wireless router that has a "Ai Mesh" designation (which is almost all the new Asus wireless routers).So don't be thrown off by that... What I also like about the Ai mesh system is you can buy a inexpensive Asus router with the Ai system capabilty and add it to a more capable unit or use it a stand alone down the line truly mix and match if you like. I've encountered some folk who are under the impression wireless Wifi and a mesh system are two different things they are not, mesh is simply daisy chaining a wireless signal.

balooo2

I've encountered some folk who are under the impression wireless Wifi and a mesh system are two different things they are not,

Huh? All wifi is wireless. Many wifi networks are not mesh so yes, they can be two different things.