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Best Ethernet Setup for Streaming Audio

I am streaming from an external drive on my Mac computer to an Auralic Aries, fed to an LKS DAC. I have a wired Ethernet connection from my wall outlet to an AT&T provided modem. The modem is connected to a Netgear router, which connects to a Netgear switch that is optimized for music streaming. Another Ethernet cable runs from my Mac directly to the Netgear switch. I am aiming for the best sound quality with this system. Here are my questions:

1. is it best to have my computer's Ethernet cable plugged into the switch, or should it be plugged into the router instead. It will function either way. But what would be the best option?

2. To provide optical isolation for the Ethernet cable, I installed two TP-Link FMC’s between the switch and the Aries streamer. Is that the best position for the isolation? I have it as close to the DAC as possible. Or should I place the FMC's somewhere else in the chain?

3. Would I obtain a boost in sound quality if I added a second pair of FMC's to the system? There are 4 other options: a. Between the wall outlet and the modem. b. Between the computer and the switch. c. Between the modem and the router. d. Between the router and the switch. In case it matters, the longest stretch of copper Ethernet cable is between the computer and the switch (50 feet).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
boakey39
gdnrbob
4,442 posts
 
Funny you should start this tread as I am in the throes of replacing my Verizon supplied ethernet cable with a run of Audioquest cable. 
In my opinion, I would try to run all your audio connections as close to the ATT modem. 
I do this as I believe the less between the incoming signal, the better.

I have no idea what a  TP-Link FMC is? Google doesn't help, either.

Bob
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,556 posts
 
Lose the computer. Try something radical like pugging the drive in the streamer.
And use terms that mean something.
Food Machinery is sooo wrong.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I think he's talking about fiber media converter. Maybe he has AT&T fiber? 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Seems a bit convoluted just connect the router to the Aries and plug the drive into it as well. 
boakey39 OP
10 posts
 
Sorry for the confusion. I have gigabit Ethernet service with copper cable. I put in a pair of TP-Link optical fiber media converters (FMC’’s) between the switch and my streamer. They provide a short length of optical fiber to isolate the copper Ethernet signal and reduce interference. My computer is in a nearby bedroom. I use a separate router and high grade switch because AT&T’s modem/router combo does not provide a strong enough signal. My current setup is working fine. I just wondered whether adding any additional fiber isolation to the system might increase sound quality. 
The TP-Link devices are an inexpensive alternative to Ethernet filters, such as the Uptone EtherRegen and the Gigafoil. By using two optical fiber converters, you go from copper to fiber and then back to copper to connect to your RJ-45 component. There is a short, 1 meter optical cable in between. Here is a link to these devices on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CFATL0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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