AIR 3 Beta for Mac

[PhilP]

any glue why Air via wifi sounds differently than Air via Ethernet ?

From what I've read there is no difference in the digital signal that is received by the Devialet in either case.  The likely explanation for the difference in sound is that different types and levels of 'noise' are introduced into the system by the two transport mechanisms.

With wi-fi the 'noise' emanates primarily from the wi-fi board within the Devialet and there's not much/nothing an end user can do to reduce it.

With ethernet cabling there are two types of 'noise' which are typically present - common mode (coming from the signal source in this case usually a router or switch often powered by a noisy SMPS), and airborne RFI. Some people use shielded ethernet cable, optical isolation or add ferrite chokes to ethernet cables to try to reduce the levels of noise.  I tried ferrite chokes on my normal Cat 5e cable but noticed no changes in my system.