Streamers in 2023 - Discussion, Impressions, etc

For people using Rpis, should also mention they don't have very good wifi stock to begin with. You can get an extra 10 dBm or more by adding an external wifi dongle with some better antennas, just be sure whatever you choose has a Linux driver.

 

So what if I for crazy reasons I want 2 streamers in the same room for 2 different rigs. Is there an ethernet spliter solution that won't cause SQ issues even with nervosa? I've currently got a wireless to ethernet adapter with optical converters both on NoiseNukes so it's a very clean ethernet signal. It would be nice to just spit that signal instead of duplicating all of it. i know very little about ethernet tech and my brain rejects trying to read about it.

 

Currently using an Eversolo dmpa6 master edition for streaming only. Got a hardwire run yesterday from the router. This added clarity and delicacy just cleaned up noise I did not even know was there. The Eversole sounds really good and is very easy to use, its an option worth trying for the tech challenged like myself. I listen to Quboz.
best,
Josh

 

An ethernet splitter would technically be a hub, but you don't want a hub. What you want is an ethernet switch. There are probably expensive switches specifically for audio, but I think a small unmanaged one with a decent outboard power supply should be pretty innocuous. There is no physical switch involved, the device directs ("switches") packets internally between your devices. Basically plug and play.

 

Will you be streaming on only one streamer at a time? Both streaming at the same time over a single wifi connection may have some traffic and throughput issues.

For one streamer at a time, you could try something like this, literally a passive mechanical, manual Ethernet A/B switch box. I have no idea of its quality or reliability.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN99L3BB/

 

Nervosa

 

These guys started out making audiophile pci-usb cards years ago, and now they've got the whole shbang of stuff. Here's their network switches:
https://jcat.eu/network-switches/

I have zero experience with their stuff, I only remembered the name.

 

Wow they look nice but at those prices I might as well cram another set of optical Ethernet adapters and a wifi adapter in here. That would be like $100. Just a space issue mostly.

 

Yeah streaming to just one at a time. I just found a situation where the Lumin U1 works better than the red which is too warm in this other rig. And the U1 pretty digital sounding in the other.

 

Yeah, as @Kernel Kurtz said you just need a switch. After shenigans with other ones either a Netgear or Cisco switch. Got this Cisco off Amazon.

You plug that in to the wall.
You plug your Wifi to Ethernet adapter into one of the ports.
You plug an Ethernet cable from one of the other ports into your Lumin.
Using yet another cable and port from the switch, plug in the Red.

You should see both the Red and the Lumin on your network in their respective apps.
Use your preamp (you have one, right?) to select which to listen to as the mood strikes.

(I have too many switches and network bridges and crap for a normal person....)

 

Just to clarify, did you switch from Eversolo built-in WiFi to Ethernet and noticed sound improvement?

 

What about something like this (don't know the brand, though) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CKNWQKT6 to take wired Ethernet in, two optical outs to your streamers?

 

Yes

 

Oh! that makes me want fiber in the walls....

 

Are there any budget streamer options that put out clean USB other than the iFI Zen Stream to consider?

 

Raspberry Pi USB to JDS Synapse works great for me.

 

What’s a good rpi streamer without the audio hats? Just the rpi and usb out. I have a synapse already and love it. Thanks! edit: nevermind, this was easy to figure out, lots of cases online. I'm going to try it out.

the Zen Stream is already probably just an rpi with one of these in front of the USB out. So an rpi with synapse might sound better or at least equal.

 

yes a grayness disappeared with being hard wired, greater clarity and space, tone was very similar

 

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=69159

Asus rog ally with a JDS synapse to my mojo 2 . My portable hqplayer dap, streamer, gaming handheld, and connected to a dock station as my desktop pc.

capable to run hqplayer upsampling to dsd512 and I take it on my commute too

 

I've given up on the Zen Stream I have in the East Coast. At least with Roon, it hiccups every 20-30min (USB out to Soekris DAC). Replaced it with a Pi + USB isolator, no issues.