Does WIFI have any effect in your audio system?

Bobvin

Bobvin

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I just built up a new silent PC to act as a music server to my DAC. Streacom FC5 Evo Slim Fanless PC | Slim PC

Like a real knucklehead, I thought I had read the motherboard had onboard WIFI like my previous silent PC. Alas, no on-board WIFI. I had previously used gigabit ethernet to interact with that PC, since I don't use that unit to rip CD music, or download hi-res files. But then I have to transfer my rips or downloads to the PC, and I'm wondering if adding a WIFI card makes any sense.

I could have the electrician come back and run a Cat6 cable near my system, but since I don't typically transfer more than an album or two of files at a time, thought perhaps WIFI would be good enough (likely at 300 mbps, 'cause thats all my current router supports).

But... the question is, has anyone noticed any sound quality effects of having WIFI running in the house? Are those little electrons in my tubes distracted by radio waves as they make their journey? :skeptical: My guess is it is highly likely we all have plenty of radiowaves penetrating our homes and audio gear, so a little more isn't likely to make any difference.
 
You have more than your own wifi in your house, and probably neighbors with unprotected networks you can join in a minute. I would be more concerned with all the new florescent lights in and around your house. I am unsure if the newer lamp bulbs pose as much interference as the T-Bulbs.
 
Some folks believe that WIFI adversely affects the sound of their system. Don't let it bother you, don't dwell on it. Let your own ears be the judge. Turn your router off and see for yourself. I know my fridge wreaks more havoc than any WIFI.
 
Bobvin said:
I just built up a new silent PC to act as a music server to my DAC. Streacom FC5 Evo Slim Fanless PC | Slim PC

Like a real knucklehead, I thought I had read the motherboard had onboard WIFI like my previous silent PC. Alas, no on-board WIFI. I had previously used gigabit ethernet to interact with that PC, since I don't use that unit to rip CD music, or download hi-res files. But then I have to transfer my rips or downloads to the PC, and I'm wondering if adding a WIFI card makes any sense.

I could have the electrician come back and run a Cat6 cable near my system, but since I don't typically transfer more than an album or two of files at a time, thought perhaps WIFI would be good enough (likely at 300 mbps, 'cause thats all my current router supports).

But... the question is, has anyone noticed any sound quality effects of having WIFI running in the house? Are those little electrons in my tubes distracted by radio waves as they make their journey? :skeptical: My guess is it is highly likely we all have plenty of radiowaves penetrating our homes and audio gear, so a little more isn't likely to make any difference.
Click to expand...

I have this same PC case. One issue for me with adding a wifi card was that I wouldnt have room to install an aftermarket USB card like JCAT or SoTM. In the past I used a USB wifi adapter but found that I was getting drop outs and slow browsing via JRemote on my IPAD due to data collisions at the USB ports. As I understand, only 1 USB can be active at any one time so I was getting some pauses to the music via USB as data was being transferred from the wifi adapter via the other USB port. I ended up getting a Dlink DAP 1650 bridge which allows me to use the Ethernet port on the back of my pc. No more music pauses and browsing with Jremote is super fast. I also took the opportunity to buy a Blue Jeans CAT 6 cable to connect from the Dlink bridge to my pc and I think the sound quality got better. I cant be sure. Anyway, to my ears I dont think wifi impacts sound quality.
 
Wifi is garbage even at the higher speeds (they never achieve those speeds and are still riddled with latency/lag compared to a gig-e or better connection).

Run hardwire. Period.

There is, however, no affect on sq.

There is also no affect on sq due to different CAT6 cables. As long as you are getting reliable gigabit speeds, you are set.
 
-E- said:
Wifi is garbage even at the higher speeds (they never achieve those speeds and are still riddled with latency/lag compared to a gig-e or better connection).

Run hardwire. Period.

There is, however, no affect on sq.

There is also no affect on sq due to different CAT6 cables. As long as you are getting reliable gigabit speeds, you are set.
Click to expand...

+1 I gigabit, do you? :)
 
-E- said:
Wifi is garbage even at the higher speeds (they never achieve those speeds and are still riddled with latency/lag compared to a gig-e or better connection).

Run hardwire. Period.

There is, however, no affect on sq.

There is also no affect on sq due to different CAT6 cables. As long as you are getting reliable gigabit speeds, you are set.
Click to expand...
I agree but I am able to easily stream 1080p Blue Ray movies throughout my home with an old Wireless N router on the 5ghz freq. High res music is no problem as long as the wifi signal is decent there shouldbt be any issues with drop outs, buffering, etc.
 
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