Network Streamer using Wifi connected to a MHDT Orchid

Get a wall wart wifi extender. Plug in next to audio system… then plug in streamer to this. I have, and know of a number of $150K systems running like this… and producing vinyl quality sound. This gets away from getting a streamer with internal WiFi. The internal ones typically do not work well anyway.

You will enjoy Qobuz and getting a real streamer. Big sound quality improvement. I recommend the best quality Aurrender streamer you can afford. I have the N100 and W20SE one at the low end and the second at the top end. Aurender only does streamers… they do them incredibly well. 

Pay to play. You can cough up for premium versions of all services mentioned. Or get used to stinkin’ commercials. Or enjoy silence.

One streamer plays Pandora radio stations commercial free - no charge.

Features are a bigger difference in streamers than SQ, Examples: Aurender doesn’t play with Roon; PS Audio and Metrum will not play local (USB) a non starter for me, some that do allow internal SSDs (Aurender, HiFi Rose), most are external only.

Capacitors? Red herring. Cost is ridiculous for any perceived improvements.

A $25 wifi extender has a better BT receiver than mostly streamers feature and gives you rock solid Ethernet.

I agree with @fuzztone regarding using a Wi-Fi extender.  I have no way to hard wire my Bluesound Node 2i and Node 2.  A member on this forum suggested the same solution.   I followed through and purchased two extenders, and haven’t looked back. They work great.  I am in the process of upgrading the power supply on the node 2i. This will determine if I upgrade the streamer in my main system.  

I am tired of all the commercials with Pandora, YouTube, and Spotify and am looking to subscribing with Qobuz. And, making that final step of getting away from streaming from a laptop.

Goodonya!!! You’ll get significantly better performance with both upgrades. +1 @ghdprentice on using a Wi-Fi extender and an Ethernet cable from that to the streamer. Some people think a Mesh system sounds better than an extender and that it may work better if your router is far away from your system, but I have no personal experience with that so just fyi. Here are some recommendations for Ethernet and USB cables (assuming you’ll be using the USB input on your DAC) that get solid reviews from people here and won’t break the bank…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VVFB8VX/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=A1EA54VWB150Z7&amp=undefined&th=1

https://silversonic.com/products/digital-cables/mirage-usb/

For a streamer I’d add Innuos as a solid recommendation along with Aurender.  Hope this helps, and best of luck.

Wifi can be good if you have a strong signal AND little competition. Use a free wifi analyzer for your phone to find the best channels.