Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

Blackmorec

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2019
746
1,271
213
Hi Steve,

I thought by offering you a chance to hear the difference for yourself in your own system with zero obligation would be the best way for your question to be answered.

Understood if you don't want to try it for your self, so instead of that approach I will answer your question. This only pertains to my set ups as I believe that all networks, systems, rooms and ears are all different.

Using the Extreme, If you have a perfect network with no bottlenecks and ISP supplied modems/routers and you feed directly into the Extreme with copper or fiber you will probably get GREAT SOUND. No doubt about it.

Working on the network by trying both fiber and copper (they sound different, not better or worse, but different), getting a better sounding router than the ISP supplied router, or adding an additional router in conjunctions with the ISP router, as I did in my case, and then adding a switch into the equation, along with good lan cables can and have provided these types of results for me.

ISP modem/Router>>>>Extreme = $1

Enhanced network at a total cost for me about $6K = NOT a % or $1.25 or $1.50, BUT a TOTALLY different listening experience. Much more than % differences in sonics for me.

On the flip side Emile says that in his systems the differences are not that major. I believe it's a case-by-case basis.

My systems are now MUCH more relaxed sounding. MUCH more holographic. Tube like dimensionality/3D presentation, with great layering on the soundstage but with all SS. Big time micro and macro dynamic enhancement.

Steve, that is what happened to me, BUT I had a ISP router bottleneck. By "putzing around" with the modems/routers/switches I discovered that. My systems which sounded VERY GOOD prior now in comparison were like a garden hose to now with the enhanced network a FIRE HOSE.

This is not a matter of just changing the sound, yes certain devices will change the sound and you can tune to your liking. BUT finding better routers, switches and cables were in my case MORE telling than changing DAC's, preamps/amps and IC's/sp. cables which all cost a fortune in comparison.

You will never know unless you try it for yourself in your system. If you don't want to do that, it's totally fine, but don't think that optimizing the network for audio MIGHT not make a tremendous amount of sonic difference. The only way to know how optimizing your network will work for you is to experiment with it.
The thing to remember is that most if not all ISP routers are based on VERY low cost consumer electronics, with cheap-as-chips power supplies built around the lowest costs components available, sometimes faulty chipsets and unsophisticated, primitive ways of sharing bandwidth between clients. On the other hand, some aftermarket routers have superior processor chipsets, better, user-configurable software, the means to set up and control client priorities etc. The ISP supplied switching power supplies are perfect examples of what you don’t want around sensitive hi-fi equipment.
When I started optimizing the upstream front end of my system, I was stunned by the level of improvement I obtained by replacing a couple of SMPSs with some really good LPSs. Shutting down the primitive, highly flawed but grandly named ISP supplied router and replacing it with an altogether superior unit with dedicated 5GHz band brought similar levels of improvement. I’ve noted on several occasions that the improvements these changes made defied description using typical hi-fi terms because they didn’t change tonality, extend frequency ranges or the like.....what they did do was to gradually replace the ‘hi-fi created‘ soundstage with a far closer, more realistic, fully immersing rendition of the original recording venue, populated with what sounds much closer to live musicians, playing real instruments, to an extent I would never have believed possible. I still marvel at the fact that 16/44.1 redbook CD format files carry so much, previously unheard, massively detailed information. Most of the changes we make to hi-fi systems are cosmetic, in that they increase your level of enjoyment for a while, but are soon assimilated and long-term enjoyment level remain about the same. The changes tuning your front-end make are far more fundamental and profound in that every time you listen to your system, your level of enjoyment remains elevated. The music sounds more lifelike and real and therefore is, by definition more enjoyable. Although I don’t have an Extreme, I can imagine that’s exactly the response adding an Extreme to a system makes.....it permanently uplifts the enjoyment level. That level of performance was achieved by fine tuning every single component. All you’re doing by optimising your upstream supply is to continue that process By improving the environment in which the Extreme operates.
I do get that someone may be so happy with the way their system sounds that they have no further motivation to make further changes. However I also understand why many audiophiles would wish to squeeze everything they can from their systems, which is what this is about....making the very most of what Emile has delivered
 

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
I can’t disagree with anything you say. I even liked your post. I’ve even said that if I messed with anything it would be an LPS. Short of that I am simply not interested

Here for me is the crux of your post IMO



i totally agree with Emile

which once again takes me to where I stated my position before. Simply put I have zero desire to go down the rabbit hole when I am totally content with the sound of my system. You are toning your system one way and I have toned my system another way. We are both happy. Not once have I ever said my way is better and perhaps it is you who is leaving a lot in the table. Everyone has told me I’m wrong.

it was interesting for me to note that someone found that the super dooper fuses were no better than the fuse Emile chose. These are the reasons for me that I maintain the Extreme is a stand alone unit.

My questions yesterday go unanswered. So let me try to answer them. My bet is that if my Extreme and network is worth a dollar yours might be worth $1.05 It just doesn’t compute for me as anything I feel the need to explore I have reached end game and truly love where I am. The Extreme for my ears set up in the manner I did keeps me in that chair for hours at a time. Finally i Still get the impression that after all of these things have been added to your network is producing a different sound rather than a better sound as it is the tonality you are changing.

so once again can we please drop this and move on. I love my Extreme. You love yours. It’s all good.

Steve, you are totally wrong about my system(s) sounding different. They moved up to another league. There is no question about that.

What I find interesting is that start from ground zero, where you have ventured into 800lbs audio speakers, the best audio server on the market (imho) tremendous audio stands/CMS, great footers/CMS, an awesome TT, exotic tube electronics to the normal person.

The network side is no different than any of these other areas. I'm just curious as to why you think providing the best signal possible to the Extreme is different that supplying the best signal to your phono preamp from your cartridge/arm/TT.

I'm not viewing this conversation as argumentative, it's just interesting to discuss. I understand that you are not going to pursue the network side of the equation, but your assumptions on what I have achieved are not accurate at all. Again, through the network optimization, and I'm not done yet, has moved my sound to an entirely higher level. Not a different level a more enjoyable to listen to higher level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ALF and onlychild

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
This conversation is indeed educational and not argumentative. You’re beating a dead horse now. I haven’t heard your system and you haven’t heard mine. I love the way mine sounds and short of an LPS i maintain I’m eternally happy with mine. Everyone is speculating about my system having never heard it yet know that theirs sounds better because of what I leave on the table by not taking similar measures. It is system specific What is so difficult to understand that to my ears I’ve never been so happy with how my Extreme sounds with my new DAC and how I’ve tuned things. All roads lead to Rome So again let’s move on .....
 

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
This conversation is indeed educational and not argumentative. You’re beating a dead horse now. I haven’t heard your system and you haven’t heard mine. I love the way mine sounds and short of an LPS i maintain I’m eternally happy with mine. Everyone is speculating about my system having never heard it yet know that theirs sounds better because of what I leave on the table by not taking similar measures. It is system specific What is so difficult to understand that to my ears I’ve never been so happy with how my Extreme sounds with my new DAC and how I’ve tuned things. All roads lead to Rome So again let’s move on .....

Okey-dokey. Understood loud and clear. I was only trying to share one of the most amazing sonic discoveries that I have ever encountered with digital/streaming. I was trying to help.

Over and out with our conversation, BUT with everyone else lets please continue with the network discussions/discoveries, it has been invaluable to me personally.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
(...) Steve, that is what happened to me, BUT I had a ISP router bottleneck. By "putzing around" with the modems/routers/switches I discovered that. My systems which sounded VERY GOOD prior now in comparison were like a garden hose to now with the enhanced network a FIRE HOSE.
(...)
You will never know unless you try it for yourself in your system. If you don't want to do that, it's totally fine, but don't think that optimizing the network for audio MIGHT not make a tremendous amount of sonic difference. The only way to know how optimizing your network will work for you is to experiment with it.

Surely we must try and listen for ourselves - it is what we do most of the time. It is great to learn from your experience and you seem to have now a diagnostic of your problem - an "ISP router bottleneck". Data bottlenecks are well studied and understood, the logic question is why should we need a very expensive switch to solve it?

As I have now an idling JCAT fento card since I own the Extreme I have been considering building a two port "switch" using a Windows PC to isolate the Extreme from other traffic. Just need to find the proper recipe!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ALF

nenon

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2020
203
1,191
210
Chicago
@Rhapsody - there is a good saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks! That was clear to me a few pages ago when I tried to illuminate people how big of a difference network changes could make and also tried to defend @romaz who was nearly shut up for saying the same. Thankfully, the tone has changed a little bit shortly after those posts. We've sent the message out there and a lot of people get it. Some still don't, and that's fine. Sometimes I feel like we are trying to convince someone who doesn't believe in cables that a good cable makes a difference over a coat hanger wire. It's not worth it.

BTW, I have done a lot of network experiments and am trying to write an easy to understand networking guide for people who are not necessarily tech savvy. A lot of people keep contacting me and asking all kinds of questions. I wrote down a bunch of those questions and will try to put it all in writing and share with everyone. It won't be a scientific explanation... I can't explain why Emile's new coffee machine changed the sound in his listening room... it would be more like a practical guide with a few different approaches on how to tweak our home networks. People can try and see what works in their system and what effects it has. I believe it would be quite relevant for Extreme owners. In fact probably much more relevant to Extreme owners as those people in many cases have very resolving systems. I have suggested various network changes to 4 people with Extreme servers so far and started to get an idea of the effects of those changes in their systems. Since @Taiko Audio is also collecting data points on this, it would be really good to combine efforts if that is viable. And of course everyone's contribution is welcome.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
(...) I'm not viewing this conversation as argumentative, it's just interesting to discuss. (...)

This conversation is indeed educational and not argumentative. (...)

Although in general we do not have listened to the system of people with whom we are posting, the educational side is also understanding why some changes are perceived as real and significant improvements in some systems and do not ameliorate the sound quality of others.

My perspective on this subject is that considering that files played from the PCIe or the Vivaldi SACD player sill sound better that Qobuz in my system, there is still an area for improvements in the network path and I hope to dedicate some effort to it in due time. Meanwhile I read from others with great interest. Surely, YMMV.
 

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
Surely we must try and listen for ourselves - it is what we do most of the time. It is great to learn from your experience and you seem to have now a diagnostic of your problem - an "ISP router bottleneck". Data bottlenecks are well studied and understood, the logic question is why should we need a very expensive switch to solve it?

As I have now an idling JCAT fento card since I own the Extreme I have been considering building a two port "switch" using a Windows PC to isolate the Extreme from other traffic. Just need to find the proper recipe!

Sorry if my adding the JCAT switch came across as it solved my bottleneck. The M12 Gold switch had NOTHING to do with my bottleneck.

It was adding the $100 Edge router that took care of the bottleneck issue. On that note, I do NOT think that fixing the bottleneck had anything to do specifically with the Edge router brand.

I think ANY good router would have made a big difference in off-loading my busy Verizon router and giving me a dedicated audio only network path to the Extreme. I just went straight to the Edge router as others have reported it was a VG sounding router.

Once I inserted the additional router, I literally was on cloud 9. Although once I saw the big time change that I could definitely hear in my system with just adding a $100 router I said "GAME ON".

I decided to try the JCAT Gold Switch as I had heard reports from many of it's powers. Once I inserted the Switch it made about the same level of difference as when I un-bottled my bottleneck with the additional router.

So, I don't believe you need a switch, but you do need to make sure you are NOT feeding the Extreme from either a dirty or busy ISP supplied router, that probably has $2 worth of parts in it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ALF and microstrip

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
@Rhapsody - there is a good saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks! That was clear to me a few pages ago when I tried to illuminate people how big of a difference network changes could make and also tried to defend @romaz who was nearly shut up for saying the same. Thankfully, the tone has changed a little bit shortly after those posts. We've sent the message out there and a lot of people get it. Some still don't, and that's fine. Sometimes I feel like we are trying to convince someone who doesn't believe in cables that a good cable makes a difference over a coat hanger wire. It's not worth it.

BTW, I have done a lot of network experiments and am trying to write an easy to understand networking guide for people who are not necessarily tech savvy. A lot of people keep contacting me and asking all kinds of questions. I wrote down a bunch of those questions and will try to put it all in writing and share with everyone. It won't be a scientific explanation... I can't explain why Emile's new coffee machine changed the sound in his listening room... it would be more like a practical guide with a few different approaches on how to tweak our home networks. People can try and see what works in their system and what effects it has. I believe it would be quite relevant for Extreme owners. In fact probably much more relevant to Extreme owners as those people in many cases have very resolving systems. I have suggested various network changes to 4 people with Extreme servers so far and started to get an idea of the effects of those changes in their systems. Since @Taiko Audio is also collecting data points on this, it would be really good to combine efforts if that is viable. And of course everyone's contribution is welcome.

Hi Neon,

Love it. Let me know if I can contribute in any way. Great stuff.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
Sorry if my adding the JCAT switch came across as it solved my bottleneck. The M12 Gold switch had NOTHING to do with my bottleneck.

It was adding the $100 Edge router that took care of the bottleneck issue. On that note, I do NOT think that fixing the bottleneck had anything to do specifically with the Edge router brand.

I think ANY good router would have made a big difference in off-loading my busy Verizon router and giving me a dedicated audio only network path to the Extreme. I just went straight to the Edge router as others have reported it was a VG sounding router.

Once I inserted the additional router, I literally was on cloud 9. Although once I saw the big time change that I could definitely hear in my system with just adding a $100 router I said "GAME ON".

I decided to try the JCAT Gold Switch as I had heard reports from many of it's powers. Once I inserted the Switch it made about the same level of difference as when I un-bottled my bottleneck with the additional router.

So, I don't believe you need a switch, but you do need to make sure you are NOT feeding the Extreme from either a dirty or busy ISP supplied router, that probably has $2 worth of parts in it.

Thanks - in my ignorance about the subject (I have to cheat and use google to separate a router from a switch :) ) I did the same intuitively since day two - I separated the home traffic from the Extreme using a Netgear 108.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ALF and Rhapsody

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
@Rhapsody - there is a good saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks! That was clear to me a few pages ago when I tried to illuminate people how big of a difference network changes could make and also tried to defend @romaz who was nearly shut up for saying the same. Thankfully, the tone has changed a little bit shortly after those posts. We've sent the message out there and a lot of people get it. Some still don't, and that's fine. Sometimes I feel like we are trying to convince someone who doesn't believe in cables that a good cable makes a difference over a coat hanger wire. It's not worth it.

BTW, I have done a lot of network experiments and am trying to write an easy to understand networking guide for people who are not necessarily tech savvy. A lot of people keep contacting me and asking all kinds of questions. I wrote down a bunch of those questions and will try to put it all in writing and share with everyone. It won't be a scientific explanation... I can't explain why Emile's new coffee machine changed the sound in his listening room... it would be more like a practical guide with a few different approaches on how to tweak our home networks. People can try and see what works in their system and what effects it has. I believe it would be quite relevant for Extreme owners. In fact probably much more relevant to Extreme owners as those people in many cases have very resolving systems. I have suggested various network changes to 4 people with Extreme servers so far and started to get an idea of the effects of those changes in their systems. Since @Taiko Audio is also collecting data points on this, it would be really good to combine efforts if that is viable. And of course everyone's contribution is welcome.

Nenon,

Question - should this VERY interesting and developing "network conversation" move to a new/separate thread?

Matters not to me, bringing it up in respect for the Extreme, which is what this thread is supposed to be about. I know from emails, phone calls and pm's there are a BUNCH of people interested in exploring the network side of the equation.

Although this subject definitely pertains to the Extreme, but also ANY other server on the planet.

Also there are many, I mean one:oops:, member that is not interested in the network conversations with respect to the Extreme. Just kidding, Steve....honest;).

Nenon, you have the great idea and start.....what you say? Do you want to start a new thread when you are ready or ???
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeBlanc and ctydwn

Blackmorec

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2019
746
1,271
213
Nenon,

Question - should this VERY interesting and developing "network conversation" move to a new/separate thread?

Matters not to me, bringing it up in respect for the Extreme, which is what this thread is supposed to be about. I know from emails, phone calls and pm's there are a BUNCH of people interested in exploring the network side of the equation.

Although this subject definitely pertains to the Extreme, but also ANY other server on the planet.

Also there are many, I mean one:oops:, member that is not interested in the network conversations with respect to the Extreme. Just kidding, Steve....honest;).

Nenon, you have the great idea and start.....what you say? Do you want to start a new thread when you are ready or ???
I think that’s an excellent suggestion. While the topic has relevance to Extreme installations it has a far broader context in that it affects any and every high resolution system that’s using a network to provide streamed music files. With a separate thread, Extreme users can remain focussed on that particular piece of hardware in this thread, while everyone including Extreme users interested in networks can contribute or pose questions on a new network thread.
 

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
I think that’s an excellent suggestion. While the topic has relevance to Extreme installations it has a far broader context in that it affects any and every high resolution system that’s using a network to provide streamed music files. With a separate thread, Extreme users can remain focussed on that particular piece of hardware in this thread, while everyone including Extreme users interested in networks can contribute or pose questions on a new network thread.

I agree, I have discussed it with Nenon. We are both ok with whatever makes sense. Seeing that we have a few in agreement here then probably either you Blackmorec, Nenon (who is going to be eventually going to have some good written information for us all) or Romaz should start the thread.

If you want to start it as you were an early network contributor here then please go ahead. If not I think Nenon will do so when he has some of his information available to share.

Fun stuff.....thx
 

Taiko Audio

Industry Expert
Feb 10, 2017
4,231
13,023
1,925
The Netherlands
taikoaudio.com
Since @Taiko Audio is also collecting data points on this, it would be really good to combine efforts if that is viable. And of course everyone's contribution is welcome.

The conclusion of the data we have collected so far is..... inconclusive :)

The cause of this is all feedback is to be considered as being executed in an uncontrolled environment.

To have more control on the reliability of supplied data we'd need to have a framework for reference.

Now admittedly testing network accessories is lower on my priority list then other areas I'm investigating due to the relative performance impact I'm experiencing. Do know I can very clearly make out any change introduced by changing a variable in our network setup here. The reason for it being lower priority is relative performance impact. Now there are some bad apples which can really have a big negative impact on performance, like the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 I tested a while ago. This looked interesting due to it being able to prioritise network traffic and it having a SFP+ port. So what would generally be interesting to have is a list of devices with an above average negative influence.

Now, with the exception of the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 which was really bad here, everything else I change here is limited in impact relatively speaking to:
-relative to a high quality powercord versus a stock powercord my rating would be 35%
-relative to good equipment support 25%
-relative to high quality USB cables 30%
So what would be very useful to have is people doing a controlled and careful A/B of a standard network setup with their current preferred one versus a standard powercord versus their current preferred one, USB, equipment support, etc. Now unfortunately I'd estimate not many people would like to go there and really take their time for prolonged thorough evaluation, quality time is after all a precious commodity.

Now let me add some intriguing observations made over time:
-I can sway my preference for say an Uptone ether regen with planet SFP's and the Telegartner M12 Gold by switching the interconnect between DAC and preamplifier, I prefer silver wire with the M12, copper wire with the Uptone/fiber.
-If I purchase an album on Qobuz, download and store it on the Extreme's internal storage, it is actually not much better then the same files streamed directly from Qobuz. I would be interested if others can replicate this phenomenon.
-Removing the network cable from the Extreme while playing locally stored files (this actually works for a while playing from Qobuz too), does not come with a dramatic uplift in performance at all. Removing power to all network devices is a bit more interesting. I would again be interested in feedback from others willing to perform the same experiment.

Regarding the discussions prior to this post between Steve and others, I have personally recommended Steve to not change anything for the following, imho very solid reasons:
Steve has no wired ethernet in his room, he uses a Netgear Orbi with a single high quality copper ethernetcable to his Extreme, so this is a wireless connection, and an area I need to spend some time on to investigate the potential merits off. It would be quite obvious to purchase a LPS for the Netgear Orbi, and undoubtedly have a change in sound, Steve is willing to do just that, but since it's all a work in progress, I have adviced him to keep his money in his pocket for now. Do note Steve is reporting more then satisfying performance from his setup, even in direct comparison to his vinyl and tape.
 

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
The conclusion of the data we have collected so far is..... inconclusive :)

The cause of this is all feedback is to be considered as being executed in an uncontrolled environment.

To have more control on the reliability of supplied data we'd need to have a framework for reference.

Now admittedly testing network accessories is lower on my priority list then other areas I'm investigating due to the relative performance impact I'm experiencing. Do know I can very clearly make out any change introduced by changing a variable in our network setup here. The reason for it being lower priority is relative performance impact. Now there are some bad apples which can really have a big negative impact on performance, like the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 I tested a while ago. This looked interesting due to it being able to prioritise network traffic and it having a SFP+ port. So what would generally be interesting to have is a list of devices with an above average negative influence.

Now, with the exception of the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 which was really bad here, everything else I change here is limited in impact relatively speaking to:
-relative to a high quality powercord versus a stock powercord my rating would be 35%
-relative to good equipment support 25%
-relative to high quality USB cables 30%
So what would be very useful to have is people doing a controlled and careful A/B of a standard network setup with their current preferred one versus a standard powercord versus their current preferred one, USB, equipment support, etc. Now unfortunately I'd estimate not many people would like to go there and really take their time for prolonged thorough evaluation, quality time is after all a precious commodity.

Now let me add some intriguing observations made over time:
-I can sway my preference for say an Uptone ether regen with planet SFP's and the Telegartner M12 Gold by switching the interconnect between DAC and preamplifier, I prefer silver wire with the M12, copper wire with the Uptone/fiber.
-If I purchase an album on Qobuz, download and store it on the Extreme's internal storage, it is actually not much better then the same files streamed directly from Qobuz. I would be interested if others can replicate this phenomenon.
-Removing the network cable from the Extreme while playing locally stored files (this actually works for a while playing from Qobuz too), does not come with a dramatic uplift in performance at all. Removing power to all network devices is a bit more interesting. I would again be interested in feedback from others willing to perform the same experiment.

Regarding the discussions prior to this post between Steve and others, I have personally recommended Steve to not change anything for the following, imho very solid reasons:
Steve has no wired ethernet in his room, he uses a Netgear Orbi with a single high quality copper ethernetcable to his Extreme, so this is a wireless connection, and an area I need to spend some time on to investigate the potential merits off. It would be quite obvious to purchase a LPS for the Netgear Orbi, and undoubtedly have a change in sound, Steve is willing to do just that, but since it's all a work in progress, I have adviced him to keep his money in his pocket for now. Do note Steve is reporting more then satisfying performance from his setup, even in direct comparison to his vinyl and tape.

I agree that I don't think very many members are going to create a true controlled environment where the resulting data would be accurate and beneficial. Even with the best intentions of creating a true controlled environment each system/room/subjective listener is all different.

On the flip side, both myself and several others, I think that I currently count 10 others that have basic network type questions that I have been pming/emailing with, would like to continue these general network topics that are NOT necessarily connected to Extreme installations or discussions.

For example -Questions regarding routers and how they interface to certain ISPs modem/router set-ups. Running Fiber or Copper, in general, not tied to just the Extreme installations. Which media converters?

There there are the Switch conversations. Should I use a Switch only or should I use a router with the Switch. Which Switch is best bang for buck, which Switch is best, period. Should I use lan or copper and where to use or not use it.

Wireless/Orbi is very interesting, just in general, not necessarily tied to the Extreme set-ups.

These are all general networking questions that a lot of members want to understand and discuss for general applications not necessarily in Extreme applications, although certain basic principles surely pertain to Extreme installations.

Anyway, Blacmorec will start a general networking thread and those that maybe are not Extreme customers, or Extreme users as well, but still want to discuss network varying topics can do so without creating a distraction to Extreme installation type questions.
 

matthias

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2019
1,226
545
213
Germany
Steve has no wired ethernet in his room, he uses a Netgear Orbi with a single high quality copper ethernetcable to his Extreme, so this is a wireless connection, and an area I need to spend some time on to investigate the potential merits off. It would be quite obvious to purchase a LPS for the Netgear Orbi, and undoubtedly have a change in sound, Steve is willing to do just that, but since it's all a work in progress, I have adviced him to keep his money in his pocket for now. Do note Steve is reporting more then satisfying performance from his setup, even in direct comparison to his vinyl and tape.

Hi Emile,
surely a wise decision. Looking forward to your impressions with WiFi. I hope you will include the new Wifi 6 devices as well.
Thanks

Matt
 

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,659
593
480
Round Rock, TX

Rhapsody

VIP/Donor
Jan 16, 2013
3,365
6,274
2,535
Brooklyn NY
Rhapsody.Audio
  • Like
Reactions: sbo6

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing