Wireless vs. hard-wired internet connections

You need to consider the effects of capacity and latency, as quality of service (QoS), in order to gauge the suitability of wireless versus wired Ethernet connections.

If you have significant capacity (network throughput), with a limited number of connected clients, then you need worry only about latency (and buffer size).

One NaimUniti on a wi-fi network should be fine.

I understood the last line at any rate

I think what he means is that there are too many things sharing the same wireless pipeline, there will be some drop off whilst streaming. ( at least that's how I interpreted it )

Does the same go for wireless downloads? i.e. is there any compromise in sound quality if say a WAV or FLAC file is downloaded wirelessly? (or is that what the question was????)

Thanks for all the replies, even David's which on re-reading did make sense despite my ignorance of the technical terms!

Yes, my query was about sound quality rather than reliability of signal. It seems the consensus is that wireless is fine.

Steeve

I just wouldnt want a wireless device in my rack (yes i have a Mac in mine but its hardwired and wireless and bluetooth are disabled). We take so much care to site equipment and dress cables properly and then put 2.4Ghz in close proximity. Wired and wireless will sound no different - but how a wireless device will interact with your hi-fi could make a difference to the final result.

James

quote:

Originally posted by Steeve:
However I thought I read that Linn don't recommend using their DS streamers wirelessly, insisting that better quality can be had from hard-wired ethernet connections.

So: is a wireless connection, although a nice feature, a compromise in sound quality? Or is there really no difference (assuming you have a reliable wireless connection)? Or have I completely misunderstood what is going on here?!

Steeve

Steve

I have had some very recent experience of this very issue. I run a Linn Accurate DS which I use in conjuction with a netgear Nas drive. Recently I had a few problems with my NAS (caused by the software) which resulted in the NAS having to be returned my dealer to be cleared off and reset. Anyway whilst it was away I used a laptop as a temporary hard drive and this was set to stream wirelessly via the router to the DS and I have to be absolutely honest and say I could detect absolutely no difference whatsoever.

Now I have to eat hubble pie at this point and admit I was one of those who strongly stated wireless sounded crap, when somebody possed a similar question a few months ago. I admit I was wrong.

I've been using a Logitech (Slim Devices) Transporter wirelessly for a couple of years with no issues - if it's properly set up, I don't think there's any difference.