Wireless to wired - WOW!
Posted by: CharlieP on 10 July 2008
I finally routed a network cable between my server and my SB3, which has been running wireless (mostly) since I bought it. I am all smiles and surprised by the imrovement. Quieter background, more analog-like sound, and more relaxing, with less digital artifacts. The change is like taking a rock out of your shoe.
I am surprised because I tried a wire (by stretching it across the foor) on several occasions and did not notice any difference. And the system has sounded this good before, but lately has just not been as transparent and snappy tight.
I have recently been experiencing dropouts and stuttering, so I bit the bullet and crawled into the attic to run a permanent cable. Wow! I am glad I did.
I share this because I have previously posted that wired sounds no better than wireless. There must be many more variables with a wireless connection - far more to go wrong. So use a cable if you can is my advice - as others have posted on this forum.
My system: Wav and lossless files, ripped variously by iTunes, EAC and mostly dBPoweramp; to Bolder-moded SB3 w/linear suppply, Naim DC-1, Lavry Black DA-10, Chord, 282+HiCAP, 200, NACA5, CP Audio speakers.
Cheers
Charlie
I am surprised because I tried a wire (by stretching it across the foor) on several occasions and did not notice any difference. And the system has sounded this good before, but lately has just not been as transparent and snappy tight.
I have recently been experiencing dropouts and stuttering, so I bit the bullet and crawled into the attic to run a permanent cable. Wow! I am glad I did.
I share this because I have previously posted that wired sounds no better than wireless. There must be many more variables with a wireless connection - far more to go wrong. So use a cable if you can is my advice - as others have posted on this forum.
My system: Wav and lossless files, ripped variously by iTunes, EAC and mostly dBPoweramp; to Bolder-moded SB3 w/linear suppply, Naim DC-1, Lavry Black DA-10, Chord, 282+HiCAP, 200, NACA5, CP Audio speakers.
Cheers
Charlie
I wouldn't say it was night and day but a definite step up.
I was amused to see on an (unoficial) Linn forum a discussion on which Network cable sounded best using 'Tunedem' ... thats taking it a bit too far me thinks
James
I was amused to see on an (unoficial) Linn forum a discussion on which Network cable sounded best using 'Tunedem' ... thats taking it a bit too far me thinks
James
quote:Originally posted by james n:
I was amused to see on an (unoficial) Linn forum a discussion on which Network cable sounded best using 'Tunedem' ... thats taking it a bit too far me thinks
quote:I had a decent wireless connection but in wired mode the wireless card is powered down which means less crap is going back onto the power supply lines and no 2.4ghz is floating around near sensitive audio.
Chances are you are using UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Ethernet cable. Try using FTP (Foiled Twisted Pair - foil shielding around the cable bundle) or SFTP (Shield and Foil Twisted Pair - each pair is individually shielded in addition to the outer shield) and running it perpendicular away from the hifi equipment. A decent SFTP CAT6 cable isn't too expensive - a 5m cable, for example, should be about £12.
Network switches make a difference too! I replaced my cheap-as-chips plasticky network switch for a metal shielded Netgear switch and found it to be an improvement. Could be down to the metal shielding, could be the cheap switch sending all sorts of crap down the cable, could be the earthing arrangement, could be the isolation of RFI between the various cables plugged into the switch, etc.... A Netgear GS105 Gigabit switch should come in at about £25.
I must admit i'm using B&Q's finest Ethernet cable - about 25m from my lounge to Router and yes it's just cat5 twisted - I'm sure there will be an Ethernet-line, Naim Switch (upgradeable with a Supercap) and RJ45 airplugs coming along - i'll change my network then 
James
James