Network Switches

and ’ for the umpteenth time’ almarg
Can a digital switch, as the manufacturers and ’reviewers’ say it can, improve audio and video streams passing through it. ?
If you don’t know just say so

It depends on what is meant by "improve."

It will not improve (or change) the data that is being conveyed. It may affect the manner and the degree to which the characteristics of the signal affect downstream circuitry. And consequently it may improve the overall performance of the system and the sonics heard by the listener.

If that distinction is too complex for some to understand I don't know what else to say.

Regards,
-- Al

@jason - very cute, answering my question with a question.  Since you choose not to answer my question I will answer for you.  Of course a switch that doesn't introduce RF/EM noise to a line can sound better than one that does.  You know this as well as I do. Every component in your chain that runs on electricity has the potential to add noise - it doesn't matter if the gear is transmitting analog or digital signals. 

Do you deny this?  And please, don't respond with another question.  A yes or no is requested.

Despite my attempts to educate people that if RF/EM noise introduction at the switch will really affect the audio signal, then after passing through hundreds or even thousands of interim switches and routers how do we even have a recognizable audio signal.

Another forgotten fact is that the switch does not communicate directly with the DAC, it communicates directly to the network card in the DAC and it's buffers, where the signal is extracted from the ethernet packet and stored until the DAC requests it.  These network cards are manufactured by a handful of chip companies and I guarantee that NONE of them are giving any attention to audio.  There is so much misinformation being thrown about here that it is disheartening that it's even being given serious consideration.

The only thing you are illustrating is your own lack of knowledge. I have developed quite a few products with Ethernet interfaces. Never once have I used a "network card". There are approximately 40-50 companies that make ICs with Ethernet interfaces. Easily that many that makes RJ45 jacks, ethernet transformers, etc., likely many that you have never hard of.

Your post illustrates a gross ignorance w.r.t. circuit design, whether digital or analog. That makes it pretty easy to pretty much ignore your posts as they are written from a position of ignorance, not education nor experience.

The rest of your post(s), just repeatedly illustrate you understand very little about what is being posted in this thread.

jnorris200576 posts11-04-2019 11:26am it communicates directly to the network card in the DAC and it’s buffers, where the signal is extracted from the ethernet packet and stored until the DAC requests it. These network cards are manufactured by a handful of chip companies and I guarantee that NONE of them are giving any attention to audio.

WOW!!! I finally got through reading all of the posts on the thread. I was avoiding tax filing work I need to tend to today. For once, I think I can honestly say I'd rather be doing my taxes. 😊