Do routers affect audio quality when streaming?

How much of a sonic impact do routers place on a high-end system?

[xcvbxcvb]

If PS Audio produced routers the answer would be a tiny bit different 😊

[oleksiifilippov]

With all due respect sir, I have a network engineering degree. And I totally agree with you in theory. But my friend and I have experimented with that for several years.

We made a separate router connected in a bridge mode to the main one to isolate it from all other connections. This router was connected to the streamer directly or via a switch. We changed power supplies on it (standard, Sbooster, etc.) And there was an audible difference.

We used to sit there, listen, and compare notes. Many times, a lot of changes. The difference was there and we heard same things. Which led us to think we aren’t crazy.

Then he updated the internal power supply circuitry (in a router). And it made even more difference. Even changing the input capacitor in the router made a difference.

Say what you must, I get it. Good day to you.

[dmitriy]

Paul surprised me, and I think a lot of people.

[DLover]

It's data, just raw data. Only when it gets processed by your system does it get clocked and once that happens, yes then it really matters. Paul is absolutely right! Clocking and subsequent processing, that is what matters. Oops, I think I just repeated myself, but for good emphasis.

[DrTune]

When listening to "Kind of Blue" this morning with a coffee (and a fine cigar - sue me) I noticed a distinct tonal imbalance I'd never heard before - I can best describe it as a lack of browns and greens in the soundstage. After much investigation and experimentation (and a glass or two of a fine single malt - sue me again), I realized the cleaning lady had _swapped_ the ethernet cords (I prefer Platinum Starlight 8) into my ethernet switch (!) my DAC was connected to - I'm ashamed to say it - the leftmost LAN port - the one nearest the window. I was a little shocked; after a snifter of port to steady my nerves (and a bump of Fine Colombian - sue my dealer) with shaking hands I replaced the RJ45 in its rightful place in the _rightmost_ port - shadowed from the direct sunlight that was ruining the sound - and... perfect audio equilibrium was restored. Time for nap before lunch, I say. Cheers!

[sean_heisler]

Paul left the door open here and that’s in regard to power. I have a cheap $20 ethernet switch after my router which the Ethernet cable plugs into from my streamer. I purchased a Topping linear power supply for my Zen Stream streamer and did not like the sonic effect on it but before sending it back I checked the voltage of the wall wart power supply for my Ethernet switch and it was a match to the Topping. I thought what heck, I replaced the cheap stock power supply the switch came with, with the topping and BAM! Definitely made a difference in the audio quality for the better hands down. And there it sits, $130 linear power supply feeding a $20 switch.

[brianmurphree]

Being a network engineer for over 25 years, Paul is correct that the router makes no difference in audio quality. This is because the player, such as Tidal and Qobuz downloads the audio as files and buffers the playback. The actual "streaming" process occurs between the player application and your output.

[DeanRF]

I bought a 50.00 powered splitter to do an AB test with a new streamer I was considering. The improvement in my current streamer was significant enough to cause me to not change……my Ethernet run was 75 ft and I believe that was the difference of having a splitter at the source with .5 meter cable to complete the connection. I think it is contingent on distance from your router.

[MadBonkersYes]

Well said, Paul. That's exactly it, bits are bits.

[Steve_Blue_Oyster_Cult]

I've had tube preamps pick up the the signals from the router. If the router was within three or four feet from the preamps and turning the volume up high when there is no music playing but can hear the data signals. With the router eight or more feet away I have not this problem. So if it's getting through the preamps then yes it would have to effect the quality of the music.

[bwiz]

I have a solid cocobolo wood router sitting on a suspended plank of aerogel. Dead quiet, inky black backgrounds, micro decay that a lichen would die for.

[janinapalmer]

Actually, to be sincerely honest in my humble opinion, without being sentimental and of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, and without lies to the actual truth, with my clear open mind and clean heart, expressing what ever is embedded inside me for a long time which I didn't say because I was nervous. But today by gathering all the courage and motivation, I just want to say that I actually feel and think that I have absolutely nothing to Paul said it all 😃

[randomtube]

The service has to go through a modem first before the router. Nothing beats a quality wired connection. Our airways are a noisy place. With all the various wireless technologies and traffic. I tested to see if a cheap poorly shielded interconnect cable would detect noise from my router. Sure enough it did. I will say it was pretty close to the antennas though. That's why I recommend spacing and running your cables as neatly as possible and going with the shortest cables you can get away with. While leaving enough room to space each component in your system too. This helps with heat dissipation too.

[shomesaha]

So is the power ..it's generated in a station that miles away and transmitted by ordinary cables...so why does power cables or regenerators matter?

[hoobsgroove]

I hear some people say they use the ifi power supply with the router and it makes a difference. I suppose if you got cleaner power it makes sense

[nigelmorse]

I sometimes listen to music on my hearing aids. The signal enters my home by fiber optic, is converted to wifi by router, then converted to Bluetooth by my phone then on to my hearing aids then on to my Mk1 brain. It sounds great 😊

[mikelautermilch]

Hi Paul. Can you tell us whether you have a new preamp in the works? And if so, will it have tubes in the input stage? Thanks.

[hifirulezzz]

The only thing which makes difference is a your streaming service greed. I frequently observe that the same album which yesterday was playing in 24/96 today may be playing 16/44, which MAKES difference. I suppose they balance servers load and limit bitrate during high usage hours. I did not mention any other difference, neither between streaming services neither with the internet providers.

[tubefreeeasy]

I use xFinity booster pods.

I get the strongest signal by attaching the pod next to my computer.

I just learned this.

[biketech]

A refreshing breath of fresh air . You can connect with an ethernet cable sold for $2800.00 for 1.5 Meter length . Shunyata brand