[viggen]

My stereo's source is an audio PC.  The MB and CPU is powered by Minibox Pico psu and USB output is Matrix Element H powered by a 50va LPSU.  In my opinion, it's a very good audio PC.  It's currently connected to a router that is about 15 ft away via wifi.  I want to use ethernet instead of wifi to connect to the internet thinking this might improve sq.  However, it may also introduce noise, ground loops... what not... so I've read.  So, what should I get to get internet connected to my PC w/o wifi in a way that will be beneficial for audio?

I would like to avoid wifi extenders because whatever device I will be using will be within 5ft of my work from home space.  And, according to my hand held EMI detector, my Netgear wifi router emits a strong EMI with a 5 ft perimeter.  I assume it would be similar with a wifi extender. 

Would Powerline externder introduce noise?  How about a 20ft ethernet cable directly connecting PC to router?  How about a printer server like this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M77UME8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any other options?  TIA

[WGH]

My music computer is connected to my router with a 50' Monoprice ethernet cable with no noise, ground loops or 'what nots'. 9 years of flawless performance.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=143

[Mike-48]

Unless you are using a $500,000 audio system with $1,000,000 ears to match, you will not hear added noise from connecting your PC to your router via Ethernet. (I have heard one manufacturer carefully state that WiFi "could" be better because of noise, but I happen to own that manufacturer's product, and [along with many other owners], I don't hear it.)

I believe Ethernet is isolated with transformers on each end, so ground loops aren't an issue. Just use a good Category 6 or 7 cable.

@WGH has this one right.

[Doublej]

You could connect one port of the router to a optical converter box like the one below and then use an optical cable to connect it to second box and then connect the second box to the PC using an standard ethernet cable. This would electrically isolate the router from the PC.

This was in vogue a while ago, I don't know if audiophiles are still using this technique.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/accessory/tl-fc111a-20/

[Saturn94]

My music computer is connected to my router with a 50' Monoprice ethernet cable with no noise, ground loops or 'what nots'. 9 years of flawless performance.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=143

This! 

[Mike-48]

You could connect one port of the router to a optical converter box like the one below and then use an optical cable to connect it to second box and then connect the second box to the PC using an standard ethernet cable. This would electrically isolate the router from the PC.

This was in vogue a while ago, I don't know if audiophiles are still using this technique.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/accessory/tl-fc111a-20/

Yes, as you say, those converters were in vogue a while ago. I thought of trying one -- not because I heard any problem with my system, but because I was bored with pandemic living, and the converters are relatively cheap. Then I considered that the converter itself is powered by a cheap wall-wart. Or does one then spend hundreds on a linear power supply for it? If so, how about the router's power supply? Hundreds more?

All that strikes me as a solution looking for a problem. People do hear differences,but one wonders . . . the placebo effect is real, and it is strong. Having sunk money into such a thing, how many will be able to hear nothing different?  Or maybe, having made a change, one listens with open ears and therefore does hear a difference? But it comes from better concentration, not the physical change.

Moving the speakers, integrating a sub or two, adding acoustic treatment, making major upgrades to components . . . those all have made clear and unmistakable differences to me. Tweaks, not so much.

[viggen]

Thanks everyone! 

I've also read that wifi could potentially pick up less noise than wired.

But, I've also read that lowering the PC's activity could improve SQ such as turning the wifi off.

I've purchased a 20ft cat8 cable. 

Another thought, if I go with something like a Supra Cat8 cable, I can swing a 2 meter one.  And, this would mean I have to use powerline extender.  I don't know whether anyone has experience doing similar compared to using a longer length Cat cable?

[Tone Depth]

Have you considered trying an extender and see if you can hear/measure any of the side effects you are concerned about? I've been using a powerline extender for six years, and have noticed no bad audio effects, although my audio system doesn't achieve the highest level of performance possible. Following is a spec for ethernet cable length:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable#Maximum_cable_segment_length

My stereo's source is an audio PC.  The MB and CPU is powered by Minibox Pico psu and USB output is Matrix Element H powered by a 50va LPSU.  In my opinion, it's a very good audio PC.  It's currently connected to a router that is about 15 ft away via wifi.  I want to use ethernet instead of wifi to connect to the internet thinking this might improve sq.  However, it may also introduce noise, ground loops... what not... so I've read.  So, what should I get to get internet connected to my PC w/o wifi in a way that will be beneficial for audio?

I would like to avoid wifi extenders because whatever device I will be using will be within 5ft of my work from home space.  And, according to my hand held EMI detector, my Netgear wifi router emits a strong EMI with a 5 ft perimeter.  I assume it would be similar with a wifi extender. 

Would Powerline externder introduce noise?  How about a 20ft ethernet cable directly connecting PC to router?  How about a printer server like this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M77UME8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any other options?  TIA

[viggen]

Yup I have hence why I started this thread. 

I might try extender down the road but will first see whether ethernet is better than wifi in my system.

If ethernet is better, I might try one or both of these things.

1) Add LAN extender or isolator at the end of the 20ft Cat9 cable and use some aftermarket Cat cable between extender and PC.
2) Replace 20ft Cat cable with powerline extender and use some aftermarket Cat cable between powerline extender and PC.

Here's also an interesting read:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/comparing-powerline-ethernet-to-wifi-for-streaming-audio

[viggen]

so, after replacing wifi connection with ethernet:

1) sound is less stressful sounding not that it were stressful before. 
2) sound is thinner sounding, less rounded bottom, less warm and less dark as before.
3) soundstage is different, more stereo separation, vocal is less in the center.

i just received ares ii last week and am a/b-ing between it and d90 mqa.  it was sort of a toss up between the two w/ wifi.  w/ ethernet, i am leaning d90.

[viggen]

I am liking the sound more and more after switching to ethernet.... so bought a 8 meter Supra Cat8....

[viggen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huYcAJHUAZs&t=290s

[viggen]

So, I found something that connects to my audio pc via ethernet but connects to my router wirelessly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09N72FMH5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just testing it now and don't sense any degradation and noise.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I don't want to get into a whole discussion about cables, but I have read that different ethernet cables can sound different.  I am a believer that cables can make a difference.  All the different usb cables that I have used sound different and in usb cable shootouts the cables have sounded remarkably different.