Do you use WiFi? If so, get a separate wireless access point: at least when I had FiOS (2010-2013), the Verizon supplied router couldn’t handle passing CD quality audio (~1.5 Mbps) [edit: over Ethernet] while web browsing via WiFi. The audio would noticeably stutter. A separate WiFi access solved the problem.
Like @Fernando_Pereira, I use the Actiontec ECB6200 adapters, and have had very good luck with them in two homes. These support MoCA 2.0, up to 1Gbps, and I routinely get > 300 Mbps transfer rate: more than fast enough for music, even multichannel DSD-256.
My general approach to ISPs in the US (Xfiniti, AT&T, whatever) is to minimize my home network’s dependence on their hardware. I’d do the same if I had FiOS. What this means is that I plug my own route on theirs, which just serves as a modem. I use a WiFi mesh network with its own APs, configured in bridged mode to my router. IOW, I do for my networking what I do for my audio gear: carefully selected separate components rather than junky all-in-one routers from the ISP.
The fiber coming into your house must go into a FiOS certified device but that device can generally be configured to be “dumb”. Meaning, it can be configured to do nothing but convert the fiber to copper ethernet. That reduces the chances of that device doing harm. This is what I do with my Cable Modem. My modem is really doing nothing more than the bare minimum to convert the coax into ethernet which then lands at my own router where I get full control over the “network”.
“regular ethernet” sure, yes. Anything on the “noisy” side of the house, before the fiber convertor, I wouldn’t worry to much about being “audiophile grade”. But, after the convertor, go ahead and deploy all the “audiophile” grade cables and switches you’d like. The patch of fiber completely isolates any network noise from that point forward.
"FiOS’ is just the fiber into your home. That still needs to go into something that can properly terminate the fiber and convert it to ethernet. As I mentioned above, let the FiOS box already sitting there do that job but only that job. Then deploy your own network gear.
I’m a bit late with my response. Other really good, and possibly simpler, solutions by others above. My suggestion is only one of many. Only other comment… the service provider stuff is usually crap. It’s built to meet a price point not a performance threshold. This is why most people see benefit from installing their own switches / routers. It’s not “noise” but just raw performance upgrades that eliminates undiagnosed issues.
FIOS has two “devices” that they provide. The ONT is the device that converts fiber to copper ethernet. It is just a media converter with battery backup. Mine is located in the garage but I suppose the location varies. You have to have a FIOS ONT. The FIOS provided switch/router/wifi access point is required only if you use the FIOS TV service. In my case, I use VOIP and Internet only. I don’t have a FIOS device connected at all. I go straight from my Meraki firewall/router to the ONT via ethernet cable, which is what has been suggested to the OP. As to the comment about not getting support, I’ve never had an issue with that. I simply tell the support person I have my own router. When I’ve had issues, they have always been upstream from my router.
This is good to know. They used to embed the ONT into the “router” (been a long while since I’ve seen a FiOS install). Nice they have separated that out.
I also have FIOS, my ONT in nice and snug in my basement office. However, I DO have to have TV services for the rest of the household so I am using their box. I have it feeding a switch which everything else is plugged into. Since my entire house is wired the only thing on WiFi are the phones, and even they are on separate bands.
Indeed I do. I use both iPad/iPhone for general web surfing as well as “control” devices for Roon.
Which begs the question- Is the MoCA device in the living room (area where music server is located) also acting as a wireless access point? I’m just wondering IF I decide to remove the MoCA device and try a direct connection of CAT 6 from server to the ONT whether I still will be able to use the iOS devices as controls when listening to music in the liv room?
If my understanding is correct, I will probably still be able to have wifi access via the Verizon router located in the upstairs office?
I haven’t experienced any issues/dropouts when streaming music through the existing Actiontek MoCa device (WCB3000N01) and wonder if there are sonic improvements to be had simply by upgrading to the ECB6200 adapters you mention?
Is my understanding correct that within the realms of the Verizon Fios universe, IF I want to watch TV than I MUST continue to use the Verizon router?
Thanks to everyone so far for the guidance/suggestions. I had a sneaky suspicion when I originated my post that this might not be as simple as I hoped for:)
Thanks to everyone for the comments & suggestions offered.
As I’m not a “network specialist/tech person” just learning the lingo can be a daunting task. At times I feel like I’m chasing my own tail.
Let me summarize my understanding at this juncture.
It seems easier to continue to use the Verizon router to broadcast a wifi signal for my iOS devices as well as watch Fios TV. I don’t think this is preferable but for the limited purposes of making sure I understand the situation lets assume this to be correct.
If correct, than my options to “improve” the sound quality of the existing connection (ONT>coax>MoCA box>ethernet cable>Server) are as follows:
Direct run of ethernet cable between music server and ONT box. i.e. remove MoCA device & Coax cable entirely from the network. (ONT>Ethernet cable>server)
1a) Variant of above. Direct run of ethernet cable between Server and router. This
method bypasses the ONT but at the “expense” of having to use a longer length of ethernet cable. (Router>>ethernet cable>>server)
“Upgrade” existing MoCA device to latest generation MoCA (Actiontek
ECB6200)
Take ethernet output from MoCA device and input it into a ethernet>Fiber optic convertor and then take output of fiber optic convertor and connect via ethernet cable into the music server. Concept being to eliminate “electrical noise”.
(MoCA>ethernet cable>Device 1 converts TO Fiber optic>fiber optic cable> Device 2 converts FROM fiber optic>ethernet cable>server.
I have FIOS. I connect via Ethernet to my Ubiquti router to serve the remainder of my home network which consists of two switches and 2 AP’s. I have FIOS TV but do not use a DVR. I have all on-screen menu capability that is provided via Verizon‘s router (which to be clear, I have removed from my network). I have attached two MOCA devices to my network via Ethernet and feed my two Set Top Boxes via coax that has been there since the house was built. It is a very stable setup but would not allow for installation of a new Set Top Box, Verizon troubleshooting or DVR services. For any of those situations, I would need to reinsert the Quantum router that I was provided. This is feasible, but poses limitations of one form or another when using two independent routers. See DSL reports site for instructions on making that happen if you are interested.
There’s a very wide range of audio systems and technical expertise on this forum. Nothing for anyone to apologize for… with that said:
Your ONT must connect to a router (via either Ethernet or coax) if you want more than 1 device to use the Internet connection: which presumably you do, as you own multiple devices.
Upgrading to a newer MoCA device is unlikely to help unless you’re streaming hi-res multichannel audio, or stereo DSD512, where you might start to be bandwidth constrained. If you aren’t hearing the audio stutter, you don’t have this problem.
Replacing MoCA from your router would simplify your system: one fewer piece of electronics to go wrong. There may or may not be an audible difference. Use quality cable if you do this, at least Cat 6, preferably Cat 6a.
Whether any change you make is worth the cost is up to you…