Ethernet connection for best sound quality

I DID NOT CLAIM SUCH!

Yea, static on a CD is grasping at straws, but it does at lease exist in the realm of possible in this universe. I did not say it was the answer, I only said some possibility may exist. I don't personally believe any effect, but have not tested it. All my CD's are in boxes in the closet. I RIP with bit-to-bit verification so it is a non-issue. Old CD players worked in real time so a lot of little issues could pop up. Not today. 

If you "believe" than as I said, be happy.  There is a big difference between "unknown" and "impossible"  I do happen to know how IP works. I made a pretty good living at it. 

I suggest you examine the IP stack from layer 1 to when you get the application layer providing a steady clocked PCM to the DAC. Maybe some crappy streamer did not do a decent job on their NIC and some noise is getting to the system. Just like early USB that were not addressing the reality of the input.  Band aids can mask bad design. I prefer to fix the problem than cover it up. 

Yes, I do expect almost all parameters of audio, analog and digital, to improve. I expect measurements will improve.   

@rubicon15 

I found an image of the Lumin U2 Mini here (link) and it appears the compute module is hidden by the heatsink so it's not possible to know what the streamer is using unless you contact Lumin or remove the heatsink itself. If I had to make an educated guess, though, the form factor suggests it could be a Rockchip based system on module (link) or something else made for embedded computing. If that's the case, the streamer uses an ARM-based CPU (commonly found in smartphones, tablets and small board computers like the Raspberry Pi) and runs some form of Linux as the OS.

If you want to know more, it may be worth your while to post to a DIY audio forum and post some close-up pictures there or send your questions to Lumin directly.

@joes44 

As noted, there are very many ways to stream.

Totally disagree with Yage and the measurement/ASR crew. Both from reading, listening to the opinions of others, and my own experience.

My first venture with streaming was with a MacBook Pro to Dac. Upgraded with a M2Tech HiFace Two, and then to a Halide Bridge. I was very happy with it for a couple of years. 

When I asked a question how to improve this further, there was the option a Mac Mini, or getting a streamer. Both options researched, but the streamer option provided a significant improvement in sound.

And no going back now. Best choice I ever made.

I would be the first to admit, I’m definitely not an expert in networking or audio. I got off the merry go round a long time ago. I’m open to new ideas and constantly learning from others on this site as well as others. That’s why I look to experts in their field. In this case, a knowledgeable CEE can look at a device and determine if it follows good design principles and more than likely determine if high quality components were used to manufacture the device. Unfortunately, I don’t have this skillset. I’m like most people on this site, I enjoy good music and this hobby. I also understand that every tech person or CEE may not have a deep understanding of audio systems like many users on this site. However, since I have a technical background, I like to ask questions, seek a better understanding, and explore various options in the audio world. I believe, it’s a best practice to have an open mind, ask thought provoking questions, and always be willing to listen and learn.

yage, thanks for the follow up.

@antigrunge2 that “white paper” is a joke and has been debunked many times over. In fact, John Swenson has been ridiculed when he was forced to admit he made up a bunch of terms that mean nothing.