Is it necessary or desirable to plug an ethernet cat 6 cable directly into the NCs222?
To really use a streamer, you need connectivity to your local network / the internet. (Depending on use cases.)
Without network, the whole streaming aspect does not work and you cannot control the NSC222 via the Naim app.
You can do this via WiFi or cabled Ethernet.
On Ethernet and cables: see the many topics on this forum about whether and how to optimize and tune that part.
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Thank you.
I understand that streaming depends upon access to my home network and I now realise that I can use either wi-fi or ethernet. But is it too simplistic to ask which is better - wi-fi or ethernet? I’m assuming the latter but I don’t know.
some say it is the same, some say ethernet is better, since you do not use the wifi part of the streamer. If you do not care just use wifi until at one time you have to try out ethernet. Or go for ethernet to be sure that you are not missing out on the last small possible sound quality in the streamer.
claus
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Try it for a week on wifi. Then plug in a cable for a week. After that week, remove the cable and go back to wifi. If the sound gets worse, you’ll know the answer.
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As above, either is fine and the product is designed to support either. It’ll mostly come down to convenience and aesthetics. You can spend as much and more as you did on the 222 on Ethernet Jewellery. Either type of connectivity requires very little of the typical total available bandwidth, unless you happen to be on a slow/old copper phone line DSL service.
You’ll probably find after a few weeks trying both that it sounds great using either and settlen on what you prefer personally.
For the record both my Atom and NSC 222 connect via Wi-Fi. Good luck experimenting 
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There’s different aspects:
- Functionality - should be identical, as long as the networks are reliable.
- Reliability - usually, WiFi should be reliable these days, including sufficient speed, etc.
There can be reliability issues - in areas with congested radio frequencies, if the device is too far from the next WiFi access point / signals are too weak, sometimes there’s short interrupts, when routers switch radio channels for optimizing or avoiding weather radar sweeps, … - using Ethernet is usually on the save side of reliability, unless something is broken.
Practical approach (unless you anyway want Ethernet): try WiFi, if you have issues with dropped streaming, problems with connecting from the app, … try, if an Ethernet cable solves those. If yes, switch to cables or improve your WiFi setup. - Practicability - once you setup WiFi (and given it’s reliable), you don’t need to buy, place, hide, … cables (and possibly switches and the like). For some, this is a win. For others, it’s not important.
- Audio quality - assuming a well working network (see functionality/reliability) there’s no difference to the data for streaming, that is processed in the NSC222. So any difference in sound quality will come from components used in the NSC222 and outside interference into the box. (Via radio waves, electrical noise on the cables, the power grid in your home, …). I’m not an expert here, but I think the above comments relate to this aspect: try it out (unless you’re already sold either way to the above aspects.)
Some of the aspects above will vary very much depending on your situation at home and personal preferences. Hard to say A or B from the outside.
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If you have good wifi signal in your home then I believe wifi is best. As HH suggests though, the best way is to try the two for a few days each.
And if you are going to use a cabled connection, before going down the ‘Ethernet jewellery’ route, it’s worth noting that Naim use very basic cables for their demonstrations.
I’ve found Chord’s entry level C-Stream Ethernet cables to be absolutely fine on my 222, others are perfectly satisfied with bog standard Ethernet patch cables………
As ever, you pays your money…….
Enjoy your new kit,
ATB, J
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What a wonderfully informed and helpful forum this is. Thank you everyone.
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Some will suggest the NSC222 wi-fi components will introduce unwanted noise into the source signal. Others will point out an ethernet cable may transmit noise from the router or access point it is connected to.
I’ve certainly noticed wire introduced noise in separate system set-up involving a USB cable connected to a DAC. I ultimately upgraded the cable at some expense but with a night vs. day improvement. As noted by others it’s best to test out and listen to what your ears tell you.
FWIW my NSC222 is connected by wi-fi. It’s totally stable, sounds great, avoiding an inconvenient additional stray ethernet wire and preventing the urge to upgrade the cable!
My 222 is connected via WiFi, there is no ethernet option in the room, it works very well and sounds fantastic.
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