Ethernet connection for best sound quality

There are many ways to skin a cat. If you’re new to streaming audio, I’d suggest you first assess what you can do with what you already have; then buy the minimum you need to deliver the streaming service(s) you want. You can (and probably will) upgrade later.

Most of us already have a computer that is perfectly adequate for hosting music software and streaming services, as long as it has an ethernet port and a USB port, and as long your HiFi system is equipped to receive the USB output. Connect it all up, then start exploring the available music software (eg Roon vs. Audirvana), streaming services (Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music), and perhaps Digital Signal Processors (HQ Player, Bacch4Mac). You may start encountering issues such as computer fan noise, klunky user interfaces, limited multi-room capabilities, or limited streaming content for the kind of music you like. If so, explore what might be available to address those issues.

Anyone here have a Mytek Empire streamer? Or heard one? Expensive but might dispel your audiophile streamer opinions and streamer/DAC opinions. 

Very well built. 

I have built enterprise networks since the early 90’s, you will not have any problems using cat5/e cables for a 1G network. If you have issues with cat5, check each cable to make sure it’s terminated properly by using a Fluke meter.

Also, you don’t need a dedicated streamer, just get a dac with Ethernet and put roon or audirvana on a Mac mini in a room outside of your audio room. The only reason to get a dedicated streamer is because your dac doesn’t have Ethernet or you want to use the best connection to a dac and that’s i2s. 

A dedicated streamer is a must-have if you stream music. For those continue using a PC will have inferior sound.

The best sounding DACs and the best Streamers are not necessarily in the same box.  The best sounding streamers/servers will have high quality linear power supplies- something a PC does not have.

I have a CD Transport with I2S going into my DAC.  It sounds amazing.  Before this DAC/Transport combo I would listen to 1/2 to 1 CD and then switch to vinyl- and that was with a very good CD player at the time.  Now I listen to mostly digital.  It sounds so good and more convenient than playing vinyl.  (Vinyl still rocks).  So when I got my streamer and a good USB cable I was surprised to find that my ripped CDs to FLAC files on my music server via USB sound the same as the I2S out of my transport. 

It comes down to the gear and how well it implements the inputs/outputs.