“There’s high fidelity audio in the air.”
After finishing EtherStream development, it has become core infrastructure of streaming services improvements chaining to WiFi router. However, we still feel music sounds a bit off due to WiFi connection from mobile/tablet with lesser performance compared to wired connection with EtherStream directly.
Maybe we can apply modification as WiFi version of EtherStream. That’s how we started working on this “AirStream” project. With recent ASUS RT-AX55 model, AirStream2 can also work as audiophile network switch based on modification applied on EtherStream network switch.
Identifying problems in WiFi and solutions
At first we didn’t have much of expectations for WiFi improvements during experimental stage. It’s just hard to see wireless can make big improvements like wired. However, modification changed my perception about WiFi’s capabilities and here’s why.
WiFi has modulation and also needs precision
WiFi use radio frequency with fixed modulation rate in different channel. Consumer grade router with bare minimum timing accuracy in clock and internal noise level can affect WiFi transmission to have blurred imaging with frequency distortion.
With improved timing accuracy and reduced noise in circuit, WiFi module can perform modulation more precisely having improved focus and imaging with less frequency distortion thanks to high quality clock and technology applied in EtherStream.
Noise in circuit can affect WiFi’s modulation and cause jitter
WiFi module will send and receive data through specified radio frequency and modulate signal from radio frequency into data. This process is similar to CD player sending pulse signal from laser drive to DAC and modulate pulse code signal.
So, having high noise level is like CD player having budget power supply grade. It can work but may have more signal loss during transmission. Can decode the same data but not on the exact timing with more jitter.
In digital world, it’s all about data and timing. Even if it’s wireless, if you can get the right data on the right time closer to zero jitter, modulated data will become closer to ideal situation. This concept is what Fidelizer has been working on for years.
Never compromise for the best wireless streaming
After 2 years in tuning EtherStream to get neutral sound meeting my standards. We assumed AirStream can be done in a few weeks but it ended up taking over a year to complete. WiFi modulation is more sensitive than we initially thought.
AirStream has separated wireless and wired network circuits to handle tasks in different areas. With EtherStream level of modification on network switch part, AirStream2 can deliver both audiophile Wi-Fi 6 router and network switch with the following upgrades.
-Upgrade Capacitors with high capacitance and low impedance tuned in power supply section
-Upgrade Safety resistors with high power from Vishay Dale on DC input stage, power regulation stage, and isolation transformer stage
-Re-energize power supply with special tantalum capacitors to reducing noise and interference in processor chip effectively
-Crystal clock is upgraded with high precision clock optimized for network application with noise reduction tweaks
-Components are soldered with high quality solder providing solid bass and dynamics
-Router is configured for low-latency audiophile streaming applications
With high precision clock upgrade and technology to re-energize network packets from EtherStream, we can make WiFi streaming becoming much more resolving for the first time. And that allows tuning for highest fidelity audio possible after lots of trials and errors.
Scientifically proven with testing and measurements
AirStream2 wireless router doesn’t improve network performance for better streaming experience from just listening audio subjective feedback only. With intensive testing and validation, we have proof for real network improvements.
After applying modification to reduce jitter and noise in AirStream2 unit, both original router and AirStream2 unit were tested in the same environment to the exact same product placement and wifi antenna positioning.
Booting up router and let it run stable and play music from Tidal application while tracing main router for 10 minutes gave us astonishing results as below.
With AirStream2, we can see all parameters in network performance index being improved across the board:
Average latency (3.8 -> 2.3ms) = 1.5ms decreased
Maximum latency (84.2 -> 43.5ms) = 40.7ms decreased
Minimum latency (1.8 -> 1.1ms) = 0.7ms decreased
Jitter (2.6 -> 1.6ms) = 1.0ms decreased
Although 10 minutes is too short to conclude reliable results for some parameter like maximum latency. But the rest can be measured reliably and should not change much after 10 minutes.
You can see from the graph below that over all latency and jitter in graph are improved significantly with AirStream2. This modification can improve network latency and jitter which can improve low latency audio performance in Pro Audio applications too.
For more information about network performance and testing methodology, please watch this video below.
Setup and applications
One of classical problems in network is having some devices not visible from WiFi due to different network configuration. AirStream can manage network configuration as plug and play access point without network issues. You can hold WPS button to disable LED light to reduce noise in device too.
Access point configuration will allow you to connect wireless devices to devices in previous network with the same configuration. Devices in AirStream, modem router/network switch, and wireless devices can communicate in the same network.
After plugging ethernet cable to AirStream’s blue port, you can join “AirStreamSerialNumber” with “fidelizer” as the password. You can enter your own WiFi name and password before ordering. It’s truly plug and play which is good for computer illiterate audiophiles.
AirStream can deliver better streaming quality with EtherStream to get “fully energized” network packets with dedicated network circuit improvements before streaming into the air. EtherStream + AirStream + Nikola combo is highly recommended for the best streaming experience.
Aside from default access point for plug and play configuration to extend audiophile WiFi network, AirStream can also be configured as router / WiFi bridge / repeater / AiMesh upon request. You can also change operation mode after delivery in its admin page.
Specifications
Network Standard: IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, WiFi 4 (802.11n), WiFi 5 (802.11ac), WiFi 6 (802.11ax), IPv4, IPv6
Product Segment: AX1800 ultimate AX performance : 1201 Mbps+ 574 Mbps
AX technology: Yes
Data Rate: 802.11a : up to 54 Mbps / 802.11b : up to 11 Mbps / 802.11g : up to 54 Mbps / WiFi 4 (802.11n) : up to 300 Mbps / WiFi 5 (802.11ac) : up to 867 Mbps / WiFi 6 (802.11ax) (2.4GHz) : up to 574 Mbps / WiFi 6 (802.11ax) (5GHz) : up to 1201 Mbps
Antenna: External antenna x 4
Transmit/Receive: 2.4GHz 2×2 / 5GHz 2×2
Processor: 1.5GHz quad-core processor
Memory: 128 MB Flash / 256 MB RAM
Boosts speed: OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) / Beamforming: standard-based and universal / 1024-QAM high data rate / 20/40/80 MHz bandwidth
Operating Frequency: 2.4GHz / 5GHz
Ports: RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for WAN x 1, RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for LAN x 4
Button: WPS Button, Reset Button, Power Switch
LED Indicator: Power x 1 / 2.4G x 1 / 5G x 1 / LAN x 1 / WAN x 1
Power Supply: AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz) / DC Output: 12 V with max. 1 A current
Dimension: 230 x 134 x 56 mm
Product Weight (g): 374g
AiMesh: Yes
What customers say about AirStream
To show how our customers are satisfied with AirStream wireless router product, we’d like to share customers’ experience with AirStream. Feel free to read testimonials before before purchasing AirStream with 30-day money back guarantee.
Ordering AirStream
Only US $549
The MSRP price for AirStream is US $549 with 30-day money back guarantee and one year product’s warranty. You can order AirStream with the following options below for most suitable uses with your products.
Purchasing AirStream with Nikola Linear Power Supply or EtherStream Network Switch will save shipping free of products in bundles. Order should arrive in 2-4 weeks after date of purchase with FedEx Express for delivery in 2-7 days worldwide to make sure product will arrive safely and fast.