Home Network tweaking (was 'Buy or Rent')

[Lego]

How about Linn DS ?

No thanks, have other preferences at the moment.

Matt

Look forward to seeing your digital outcome as you've put in a hell of a lot of research.

[matthias]

Look forward to seeing your digital outcome as you've put in a hell of a lot of research.

If I am happy with what I have in mind I will post in due time :-)

Matt

[matthias]

Disconnecting the streamer from the network to test for improved sound - this is only viable if you are willing to do this everytime you want to change the music that's playing (and waiting for the network connections to re-establisth and stabilise), which is usually selected from a device connected to the network. That's fine if you're keen, but for me that hassle would far outweigh any potential sound benefit.

Agree,
connecting/disconnecting network cables is a no go.
It is only convenient when you go completely WiFi where you can re-establish the network connection in a few seconds.

I think that in the future there will be software players which can disable network activity during playback without disconnecting cables.

Matt

[Lego]

Disconnecting the streamer from the network to test for improved sound - this is only viable if you are willing to do this everytime you want to change the music that's playing (and waiting for the network connections to re-establisth and stabilise), which is usually selected from a device connected to the network. That's fine if you're keen, but for me that hassle would far outweigh any potential sound benefit.

Agree,
connecting/disconnecting network cables is a no go.
It is only convenient when you go completely WiFi where you can re-establish the network connection in a few seconds.

I think that in the future there will be software players which can disable network activity during playback without disconnecting cables.

Matt

Why would a player do that

[ThomasOK]

For more musical performance.

[Lego]

For more musical performance.

I'd need to hear evidence

[matthias]

Why would a player do that

When the files from streaming services are loaded into RAM
and
network activity is near zero
then
the SQ is very similar to local stored files on a server.

Matt

[Lego]

Why would a player do that

When the files from streaming services are loaded into RAM
and
network activity is near zero
then
the SQ is very similar to local stored files on a server.

Matt

I'd need to hear evidence Matt , otherwise it's just lip service :0)

[matthias]

I'd need to hear evidence Matt , otherwise it's just lip service :0)

It is like with the LP12, every detail matters :-)

Matt

[lejonklou]

There are other solutions than disconnecting the network. The power is within the software. Watch this space. No further comments, your honor.

[Lego]

I'd need to hear evidence Matt , otherwise it's just lip service :0)

It is like with the LP12, every detail matters :-)

Matt

What kind of improvements are you getting turning off network Matt?

[matthias]

What kind of improvements are you getting turning off network Matt?

https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 577#p50577

Matt

[donuk]

As I have hinted before, rather than considering connecting and disconnecting the internet from the hifi part of the home network, I have bought a couple of these
TP-LINK MC100CM 10/100M RJ45 to 100M Full-Duplex Multi-Mode SC Fiber Converter
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-net ... y/mc100cm/
and 1 metre of duplex optical cable.
This optically isolates my Melco NAS, Melco Switch and Linn streamer.
Sounds better - I have yet to experiment with better power supplies for these, but putting in ferrite beads/rings on the DC supply wires might have helped.
Another thing to consider for network tweaks is DHCP leasing.:
Given that it is supposed that the less traffic there is floating around a network, the quieter it is likely to be, one adjustment that could be harmlessly made on domestic systems is to greatly increase the leasing times for DHCP address allocation. My router was set to a day, now at a maximum of a week. I am not going to get over 230 houseguests wanting to use my wifi per week.......

Donuk beautiful downtown York

[Spannko]

Thanks Don. It’ll be interesting to see how you get on with different power supplies on the TP-Link’s.

[Lego]

As I have hinted before, rather than considering connecting and disconnecting the internet from the hifi part of the home network, I have bought a couple of these
TP-LINK MC100CM 10/100M RJ45 to 100M Full-Duplex Multi-Mode SC Fiber Converter
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-net ... y/mc100cm/
and 1 metre of duplex optical cable.
This optically isolates my Melco NAS, Melco Switch and Linn streamer.
Sounds better - I have yet to experiment with better power supplies for these, but putting in ferrite beads/rings on the DC supply wires might have helped.
Another thing to consider for network tweaks is DHCP leasing.:
Given that it is supposed that the less traffic there is floating around a network, the quieter it is likely to be, one adjustment that could be harmlessly made on domestic systems is to greatly increase the leasing times for DHCP address allocation. My router was set to a day, now at a maximum of a week. I am not going to get over 230 houseguests wanting to use my wifi per week.......

Donuk beautiful downtown York

Hi Don,
My streamer network doesnt have internet would I benefit from fixed ip adresses and extending lease times etc?

Lego,rainy dowtown Glasgow :0)

[Spannko]

There are other solutions than disconnecting the network. The power is within the software. Watch this space. No further comments, your honor.

Let’s not forget that the power is also in the power supply. Watch this space!

Also, there’s a thread on the Naim forum which is becoming very interesting. It appears that “audiophile” network switches are the new rogue salesman’s snake oil. Tear downs of the English Electric and Melco switches appear to suggest that they are just standard switches in fancy boxes. In the case of the Melco, even the board model number (which Melco photoshopped out of their marketing shots!) is identical to a Buffalo switch which sells for about £80, and there don’t appear to be any part changes to the main board either, although there is an additional small voltage regulator board.

[ThomasOK]

Melco is a division of Buffalo so it is not too surprising they would be using a Buffalo board. One would hope there was more going on than the differences mentioned by Spannko to justify the higher price.

[Spannko]

Melco is a division of Buffalo so it is not too surprising they would be using a Buffalo board. One would hope there was more going on than the differences mentioned by Spannko to justify the higher price.

Yes, one would definitely hope so.

[WheresMyNaim]

Hey

1st post.

Melco is parent company. Own Buffalo. Switch it?

[Spannko]

Hey

1st post.

Melco is parent company. Own Buffalo. Switch it?

Sorry. I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.

[WheresMyNaim]

Don't be sorry. ThomasOK - Buffalo own Melco. Switch it. Melco own Buffalo. Get it?

You have link to your Naim forum comment please?

[WheresMyNaim]

It appears that “audiophile” network switches are the new rogue salesman’s snake oil. Tear downs of the English Electric and Melco switches appear to suggest that they are just standard switches in fancy boxes.

Sorry Spannko I'm a VET so accuracy vital.

[WheresMyNaim]

In the case of the Melco, even the board model number (which Melco photoshopped out of their marketing shots!) is identical to a Buffalo switch which sells for about £80

Spannko, would you do me the honor of a reply? My $80 is ready to spend if your allegation is correct. My pocket book likes evidence,

[Spannko]

In the case of the Melco, even the board model number (which Melco photoshopped out of their marketing shots!) is identical to a Buffalo switch which sells for about £80

Spannko, would you do me the honor of a reply? My $80 is ready to spend if your allegation is correct. My pocket book likes evidence,

I didn’t realise you asked me a question! How can I help?

[WheresMyNaim]

In the case of the Melco, even the board model number (which Melco photoshopped out of their marketing shots!) is identical to a Buffalo switch which sells for about £80

Spannko, would you do me the honor of a reply? My $80 is ready to spend if your allegation is correct. My pocket book likes evidence,

I didn’t realise you asked me a question! How can I help?

Would you be so kind as to provide a link to the Melco/Buffalo forum comments you cited?