I am also Interested with your further tips on the network improvement. I have an optical connection from my IPS with some kind of optical->RJ45 small plastic box bridge going with UTP into a plastic ISP wifi router. Not sure if there is a possibility to replace the ISP router but I can doublecheck with my ISP. With that said can you please write some more detail about what exactly should be done with this? Is replacing the plastic ISP router with a prof. router containing SFP socket for WAN port all there is to it? Or there need to be done some more? Have you any recommendation for the router?
Yes it is usually like this. Read with caution
.... SPOILER: I like to fragment/isolate everything on network
Fiber cable from the wall goes to a box that can translate the signals of the different wavelengths(Audio/Data/Video) to electrical signals/RJ45. GPON, this box outputs to Router which usually also is provided by ISP. If this box has SFP for the WAN input, the great idea will be put a FMC right in front of it.
If you don’t have SFP.
Some ISP providers allow own routers to be used. Here I would buy a router with SFP input. People are still using FMC with great results after the router, on the LAN side. So that scenario would/could be like this.
WAN: Fiber cable -> GPON -> ISP Router -> FMC -> ?
Every IP address is "noise". Isolating IP address creates less noise. You can read into this regarding ARP request/broadcast. Basically this communication has its own interval and devices seeks attention "I am here" - The router does the same by requesting there mac address. Not going to get more technical. I would segment and isolate Audio to only the devices needed, every other device on another router....Could be the ISP router which is basically on the dirty side "WAN" when you get Router 2
This is where Router2(?) comes in for the audio segment.
(I am only talking from tweak perspective here, when we want the best out of our HiFi systems. The last few %s)
WAN: Fiber cable -> GPON -> ISP Router(smart devices, computers, other hosts)
-> FMC -> Router2
LAN: Router2 -> Switch -> iFi Zen stream The best practice scenario.( However more Routers can benefit this is just the basics)
Look at the switch on LAN side as booster for traffic speed, and lowering latency. Routers need help as they process other things at the chip/software.
Further tweaks: Disable all power saving options like EEE, anything energy savings, on all Routers/switches if possible. Router2 disable firewall and features so it basically only function as NAT, which basically is the wall/isolation between WAN and LAN.
Thank you for this great info, I am very new to audiophile networking and I do believe it has an audible impact on the rest of the chain. Thank you for the tip on the iFi ZEN Stream, I already looked to it and seems that is a pretty nice entry level affordable streamer with quality build and lot of very nice reviews. Also it supposedly benefits from a quality LPS so there is a way of further upgrade which I like. So that's it for me then I'm glad I found some answers here, thank you...
From my experience I like the iFi iPower X a lot on network devices(switches/routers/streamers), and the Elite mostly on DAC, NAS or small computers. Investing a shitload of money into a streamer needs a good future plan.
I would say that iFi is very underrated company, most people in HiFi judge brands by the prices, but that little thing is the best thing right now money can buy. Nothing really compares when I look from an overall perspective. The software is debatable but you can avoid it by using streamingservices app or DLNA/UPnP.
iFi ZEN Stream is the best start I can think of. Then when you have the money for an expensive streamer buy it with return policy and you can compare the value/worth
—-even beats a much more expensive cable I sold right after.
