Just because that suites my setup currently. For me it’s all interchangeable. I use Ubiquiti wifi. And yes I use mu UPnP sever or native streamer cloud streaming from Qobuz… that would be all by Ethernet currently.
However by separating my DAC from my streamer, I believe I get outstanding performance I enjoy without any of the distraction of physical networking tweaks.
A very interesting thread, having witnessed many, many over more than a decade o this subject.
In the end, it is down to individual preference and of course listening.
Very interesting about the BT Hub; was it that which turned a “fryer”?
When I first had BT FTTC, I only checked that the correct lights were on, indicating a service, but never connected the ISP box - too limited.
I installed a Draytek modem/router, which is one of those manufacturers who have submitted their units for BT approval. The process can be found with a web search. Renovating more than two decades ago, I had then anticipated ethernet would be required whole house, long before wifi was reliable. I dispensed with the first Netgear wifi and installed Ubiquiti WAPs, now numbering five across two buildings, when PH recounted the issues that PS ex-md, had experienced. Ethernet here wired to all rooms, some with multiple outlets.
It is interesting to note that you Simon have commented that quality wifi is now reliable; I have waited twenty years, so my original installation has been worthwhile. Originally many things then like tv, certainly didn’t have ethernet but it came in due course.
I use Draytek PoE switch for WAPs, Netgear for remainder of ethernet, although I had one fail months out of warranty, so I will change manufacturer next time.
I have followed much of the emerging threads on the topic over more than a decade, including Simon’s interesting and intelligent posts. Two different Ciscos have given way to a EE8, connected to NAS and to ND555 streamer. I use upgraded i/cs and power supplies for both router and dedicated switch. I set a budget, then consider the options.
Swapping, fiddling and auditioning endlessly, isn’t for everyone. I sincerely appreciate those that have taken the time to post and I rarely attempt to change anything, since it all works and sounds excellent.
Good wifi though, as others have said, is a prerequisite. Certain manufacturers do well and others not so. Across two buildings and a mix of legacy and latest streamers, I never get any spinning wheels on the Naim iOS app!
This was 10 years ago, the BT Home Hub 3 was one of the early BT hubs and as Simon suggested, the switching was all done in software, I suppose at that time processing HiRes WAV files was not part of the design intent.
This was all brand new and installed that day and the first time streaming from NAS to NDX. After about 3 albums it stopped and that was my first indicator that something was wrong. It took less than a few secs to smell the heat & power off, the hub had over heated to an extent that it distorted the plastic.
At first the hub was as dead as a Dodo, the internet connection came back after about 30 mins but it didn’t take much thinking to figure it out, so no more streaming over the hub ‘switch set’, a pukka switch was required.
Next morning I headed off to the local Currys to buy a Netgear GS105 & that fixed-um.
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