Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 Modem/router Replacement Options

Network Audio
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I purchased, installed my Netgear Nighthawk in Jan. 2022. It feeds my AirLens with a high end AudioQuest ethernet cable. I hear music. Is the Nighthawk my best choice? I sincerely doubt it. At almost 70 years old I have migrated to digital audio only this past year. I would like to hear some ideas if replacing or somehow filtering/cleaning the signal is advisable. I really have no idea so will consider all posts. I have the DirectStream MK1 DAC into a BHK Signature pre that feeds a pair of M1200 amps. It all comes out through Ohm Walsh Tall 3000 speakers.
Give me some ideas. What I have works. But can I do better? Budget really isn’t an issue though I am conscious of the cost of diminishing returns.

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If it was me I would not be looking at the Modem/Router as high potential for sound improvement.- it’s a current design and good quality. You have great equipment and have already installed a high quality Ethernet cable to your streamer. Do you have a Roon server someplace? If so, how is it networked - maybe there is potential there. There is a ton of threads about Ethernet filters and the like here - the costs range from budget to extreme. In my case I opted for budget and installed an iFi LAN iSilencer ($89) on the back of my streamer and was pleasantly surprised at the extra soundstage, imaging I heard. I dont have an AirLens tho and my streamer had no galvanic isolation before the iFi - so you may not hear such an improvement. Some people say replacing the Router power supply helps - I have never tried this but its a thought (I have a Netgear Orbi) Just my 2 cents

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I am also all digital and bought a Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 3 USB Interface and linear power supply to utilize the I2s connection to my Gain Cell DAC and also it’s galvanic isolation. The Matrix goes between my PC and GSD. Very noticeable improvement. Much more smooth and relaxed. I was doubting myself so after a couple weeks I took the Matrix out of the system and confirmed immediately I was hearing a pretty big improvement. For my router and modem I put them on a linear power supply and this did make a small improvement.

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IFI has some solutions that are affordable and provide a reasonable improvement.
I used the IFI DC IPurifier 2 for my router/modem for a long time.
Now I have connected a linear power supply. It may make a difference, but I wouldn’t bet on whether it really makes a noticeable difference.
A switch between the modem and the streamer leads to an improvement.
A filter can also help.
If you mainly stream music, you will benefit from such devices. I sold my record player. The CD player only in case streaming causes problems. In my case, I don’t regret investing in the streaming route.

Regards Andreas

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the full list of what I did recently to get a satisfying streaming sound…

  1. use a matrix x-spdif 2 with LPS and Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI cable for I2S
  2. Replaced generic Ethernet cables with Chord company and Atlas audiophile cables
  3. Installed a switch (TP Link unmanaged) on both Roon Server and Synology NAS
  4. Switched my Roon server OS from Windows to Linux (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS)
  5. Got off using my Orbi satellites Ethernet ports and hardwired direct to Router for Roon Server and NAS (had to use coax and MOCA adapters)
  6. Installed the iFi LAN iSilencer on back of streamer

the cumulative improvements are huge and stability is vastly improved - I am now very happy with my setup.

some of these steps may work for others too, I hope so…

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