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Do different routers affect sound quality

I have a simple question about network routers. I have been running a small laptop (Toshiba) thru a USB Regen to  my Ayon CD5s. The files have been stored on a WD Remote Hard Drive and connected directly to the Laptop via ethernet cable. I just recently received my OPPO 205 and have connected it to a verizon router as well as the WD hard drive.  I know there are high end ethernet cables out there but I never hear anyone mention the Routers. It would seem where the signal is going thru the Router that this would have and could have an impact on sound quality. Has anyone explored using different Routers and are there any suggestions? Which do you think is a better path USB from Laptop or Remote HD thru network Router  connected  to the OPPO?
capeman
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
What some people have found to be helpful is to insert an inexpensive network switch between their router and the audio component.  See the posts by Fsmithjack beginning on 12-25-2017 in the following thread, and the subsequent posts by me which provide a technical rationale for why that tweak may be beneficial in some or many systems:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bricasti-m1-dac-vs-ps-audio-direct-stream-dac?page=9

Regards,
-- Al 
schubert
4,867 posts
 
I don't know enough to answer you , but I am certain any active router degrades  the sound of a  decent 2 channel system with non-steaming analogue or digital CD or LP .
capeman OP
16 posts
 
almarg: Thanks for the link interesting reading. I may just try adding the switch as suggested.
Thanks again
Capeman 
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Anything is possible I suppose but as long as a router is in good operating condition, I'd put that way way down on the list of things I would fiddle with in hope of better sound.  Probably so far down I would never actually care enough anymore to fiddle with it.
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