Digital is so foreign

[Mr Peabody]

I bought a NAD M50.2, it is exactly what I was looking for feature wise. So it has Wyfi, I thought it was a bit crazy for such a current model to only connect to 2G internet. This gave me an inferior stream from Tidal for sound quality.

I knew if 5G works better on my phone then it stands to reason it would effect sound. I was told 2G shouldn't make a difference. Before giving up on the unit I set up an Ethernet connection, it made a huge improvement.

Interestingly, the Ethernet device said it can handle 2G up to 200 mbps. Now this is faster than my current internet but I still have all the bandwidth I need, to my knowledge. So either this brand of Ethernet device is stretching the truth or something else is up with 2G vs 5G.

In ripping to the hard drive, I feel FLAC actually sounds some better. It's the factory setting. I didn't think there'd be much difference at all but I never expected WAV not to sound as good. My theory is NAD has something in the design that must not be as friendly to WAV. Not on purpose, I'm just thinking something to do with converting, or storage. I don't know. Or, why else would it be the factory setting.

It's frustrating about NAD the lack of information on their own products.

 

[Randy Myers]

If you are talking about wi-fi in your house most current routers have both 2.4 and 5. 5 has better through put but does not have the ranged of 2.4. Either one should be able to handle what you need for tidal I would think. So it depends a little on how far your device is from the router. If you are close use 5 if you are further away use the 2.4 network.

The 2G, 4G, 5G that you are speaking of, I think, connecting to the Internet is cell service. The wi-fi comes from your router and this is your wireless in your home. The router provides two networks, a 2.4 and 5. This is not what connects you to the Internet, that is what connects you to the router, the router connects you to the Internet. If you are on a broadband cable service then you should very well be getting 100Meg or more. If you have a service through a phone company it will be a whole lot less.

 

[rbbert]

The “G” in each case refers to “generation” (of development and improvement), which is different for cell phones and WiFi.

 

[Mr Peabody]

Randy is right, I am referring to 2.4G and 5G, I have 100mbps internet. If G refers to generation that could explain it, the newer generation does it's job better. For some reason 2.4 is inferior, not only for hi fi but regular devices, like tablets. 5G may not have the range but it has performance.

The “G” in each case refers to “generation” (of development and improvement), which is different for cell phones and WiFi.

 

[Mr Peabody]

Another thing I wanted to mention but forgot in the initial post.

AES/BU sounds better on the M50.2 than coaxial. At first I used a Transparent coaxial, then switched to a Clarus AeS/BU and it was quite an improvement. My friend brought over a Clarus coaxial, so I A/B between the two inputs with same brand and AES/BU was still preferred by me.

 

[Al M.]

Another thing I wanted to mention but forgot in the initial post.

AES/BU sounds better on the M50.2 than coaxial. At first I used a Transparent coaxial, then switched to a Clarus AeS/BU and it was quite an improvement. My friend brought over a Clarus coaxial, so I A/B between the two inputs with same brand and AES/BU was still preferred by me.

AES/EBU all the way. I also use it, and I use a cable that is almost as expensive as my DAC (see my signature). It's worth it.

 

[Randy Myers]

The G as generation is when talking cell phone, the 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz when talking about wi-fi I believe is the band that the network is working on.

2.4 has a further range then 5, but 5 has a greater through put (is faster) if you are able to get a strong enough signal. Not all equipment is compatible (most current is) with 5.

 

[wklie]

So it has Wyfi, I thought it was a bit crazy for such a current model to only connect to 2G internet. This gave me an inferior stream from Tidal for sound quality.

I knew if 5G works better on my phone then it stands to reason it would effect sound. I was told 2G shouldn't make a difference. Before giving up on the unit I set up an Ethernet connection, it made a huge improvement.

Interestingly, the Ethernet device said it can handle 2G up to 200 mbps.

WiFi is either 2.4GHz or 5GHz, not 2G or 5G, which refer to entirely different things. Typically, just saying the term Ethernet would usually describe a wired network instead of wireless.

Whoever told you your 2.4GHz device can work up to 200Mbps is incorrect, it's either 150Mbps (much more likely) or 300Mbps signalling rate, and real-world throughput is only a fraction of it even in perfect conditions. In many homes 2.4GHz WiFi cannot work well due to interference from different devices and neighbours, and the quality of the WiFi router and its strategic placement also play an extremely significant role in having a good WiFi experience.