Wired vs. Wireless audio differences

[PhilNYC]

Yes that's a potential issue, however the OP stated he was using the digital outs. Unless his DAC/amp isn't properly shielded that shouldn't have an effect (and anyway, there's a metric f***load of RF floating around most peoples houses, I'm sure the SB2 makes little overall difference!).

I was thinking that the RF from the wireless unit would potentially affect the digital signal inside the SB2 itself as well. No way to shield the unit from itself...

[sleepysurf]

FYI... Bit-rate has always been set to unlimited, and volume is set at max (for digital).

My Martin Logan Aerius electrostatic speakers are particularly revealing in the highs. I first noticed the difference listening to cymbals/snares on the title track of David Grisman's Acousticity, also the sibilant highs of Norah Jones in Cold Cold Heart.

I know that TCP/IP should provide an IDENTICAL stream (either wired or wireless), so it must be some other RF or EMI issue. One thing that may be contributing in my case is that I had the SB2 sitting directly on top of my center channel speaker. It's supposedly shielded, but may be having a deleterious effect nonetheless.

I'll relocate the box, and do more listening tests later this week. Will also unplug all our 2.4 GHz wireless phones and see if there is a difference.

In the meantime, I'm curious to hear what others find if they conduct critical listening tests comparing wired vs. wireless.

[MrKegFlex]

I too am experiencing the same thing with a wireless SB2. Using flac files and connecting with digital coax to my avr is not producing the same sound as my cd player connected with digital coax to my avr. The sound is totally different... it really is a night/day difference. I have not had the opportunity to try the wired setup yet, I hope to try that setup before the end of the week.

[MrKegFlex]

I too am experiencing the same thing with a wireless SB2. Using flac files and connecting with digital coax to my avr is not producing the same sound as my cd player connected with digital coax to my avr. The sound is totally different... it really is a night/day difference. I have not had the opportunity to try the wired setup yet, I hope to try that setup before the end of the week.

I should note that I'm on a 802.11g network. Does the software do any downsampling for a 802.11b and/or 802.11g network?

[MrKegFlex]

I should note that I'm on a 802.11g network. Does the software do any downsampling for a 802.11b and/or 802.11g network?

I posted in haste and forgot this response from support - "the output of the SB2 is bit-perfect from the files being sent to it"

[seanadams]

I would strongly suggest measurements and/or blind testing for further investigation.

It is very easy to verify bit-perfect output from SB2 either by playing non-PCM material or by recording with a PC.

[sleepysurf]

It is very easy to verify bit-perfect output from SB2 either by playing non-PCM material or by recording with a PC.

How exactly could us "non-engineers" EASILY do this? It would be great if there is some software program that could objectively compare WIRED vs. WIRELESS streamed SB2 output (either analog or digital out). It's difficult to conduct a blind subjective test comparing the two, since you need to keep reconfiguring the setup for wired or wireless (ain't no way my wife is gonna help me with that <g>).

[radish]

Easy, assuming you know your way around an audio editor:

Create a small test sample (ideally a clean test tone with obvious starts and ends).
Connect the SB2 via wired, connect the digital out to the digital in of your PC.
Record on the PC, play on the SB2.
Reconnect via wifi, repeat.
Now compare the two recordings, either visually, or trim them down to exactly the same length and do a binary comparison of the resulting wav files.

I'd do it myself if I had time this evening

[seanadams]

or you can play a DTS (surround sound, i.e. "non-pcm") .WAV file to a home theatre receiver. Errors would cause the receiver to lose sync.

Google has a bunch of links on how to rip a DTS disc to a WAV file - there are also a few sample files out on the net. I would post a sample file for download but I don't have anything public-domain/free that I could post. If somebody has something (even a home-made test file) that would be a great resource to have.

Also I do not understand the objection to trying a blind test. If the difference is audible, indeed "night and day", then it should be equally audible in a blind test. Since the time required to switch between sources is the same, blind or not, I don't see how that makes a difference.

Please note, I am not saying you're wrong - I am offering ways to elucidate, quantify, explain, and ultimately resolve any differences. If you're not willing to go those next steps, then I suggest it's rather unfair to claim that there's a problem.

[bossanova808]

I've just switched from wired to wireless and done a few blind tests and can't hear a difference - using Rotel pre-amp/amp and Rega Jura speakers.

The amp is a bit older so I'm using RCA outs from the SB2

All files are FLAC.