LAN 100 MBit/1GBit

Streaming Audio
1

Hi,

I use a separate network with an own managed switch for my Hifi stuff. My switch is a Netgear GS108T. It is connected directly with the router. All LAN cables are CAT 5e or higher. Following components are connected with the switch: UnitiServe, Naim NDX 2, Oppo 203, Amazon FireStick 4K, Apple TV, Technisat cable receiver.

The UnitiServe is connected with 1 GBit. The NDX 2 is only connected with 100 MBit? Is this a limitation of the NDX 2? The cables of the UnitiServe and the NDX 2 are the same.

The connection speeds of the other components are not the same. The Firestick, the receiver and Apple TV are on 100 MBit. The Oppo is on 1 GBit.

I have tried to change the used ports of the components. No effect on the speed. Do you have any ideas, why the connection speed are different and not always 1 GBit?

Thank you very much for your answers!

2

Naim streamers do not run Gigabit Ethernet. 100MB is more than enough, even for Hi-Res audio, so what you are seeing is correct.

3

Short answer for the NDX 2, long question. Thank you very much!
Does anyone have experience with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K? Or is this question off-topic in this forum?:wink:

4

As Chris says the Naim streamers use Fast Ethernet as opposed to Gigabit Ethernet. There is probably a tiny SQ advantage in using Fast Ethernet as well as less conductors are used for the duplex connection… ie 4 are used as opposed to 8.

No experience with the Amazon fire stick I am afraid. I use Smart TV, X Box and AppleTV for my 4K web streaming. The best rendition comes from the X Box… However if you are using 4K at 12 bits per colour, you need to ensure you are using a higher bandwidth HDMI lead than the default inferior 8 bits per colour.

5

I don’t know all the boxes; but I know many “streaming devices” stick with 100MBit/s for these reasons:

  • It’s well enough for streaming (even of 4K video); at least when the streams comes from the internet.
  • It’s using less power than 1GBit/s. (Which also means less warmth for the device to get away with.)
  • It’s cheaper for the producer. (Not much; but especially on cheap boxes and high numbers, this makes a difference.
6

Yep most streaming devices seem to use 100MB not 1GB. My TNew Sony 4k TV and Fire TV, Playstation all the same.

7

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