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Relationship between Ethernet Switch and SQ

This one will probably invite some withering mockery, but I will ask....

I only stream, and my streamer (Bryston BDP) is fed with an ethernet cable that runs back to my router.  Literally back to my router; there are enough output jacks on the router that I have a long run to the streamer and no ethernet switch in the chain (or the house system for that matter).   (There is an Eno filter right before the streamer).

I happen to OWN a nice LHY ethernet switch.  I am assuming that there is no reason to use it in this configuration, that is, assuming there are noisier switches, and less noisy switches, there is still no net benefit of adding any switch to this chain.  But maybe, just maybe, in the metaphysics of electrons that I do not understand, there is some reason why a nice switch prior to the streamer accomplishes something (in theory...I get that I can A/B test and try to fool myself whether I can hear a difference).  For the first person with a correct answer, I will mail a nice $600 switch to the address you specify! (JK)

mathiasmingus
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,912 posts
 

The rest of this, on the network side, is audio bling, unless your streamer isn’t designed well to handle any electrical noise over its LAN port. And that is only theoretical.

Chris Stephens of DeJitterIt uses older and more accurate test equipment to ferret out noise that some say isn’t in there and gets these results. Scroll down to see them at the link. Also, see this presentation:

This has been brought up before by other members who use this product and the naysayers who populate this thread never chimed in on it when this was discussed.

Granted, it’s expensive, but it addresses what some say isn’t there and shouldn’t matter. Maybe some of the naysayers can contact GTT Audio and Chris Stephens, debate/discuss this with them, and get back to the members here and report back how it went. Maybe even do a YouTube video or start a webpage about it instead of trolling on threads.

All the best,
Nonoise

kennyc
1,619 posts
 

I’ve been deeply tracking audiophile switches for quite awhile, looking for lower cost alternatives to the Telegartner M12 switch which also requires special terminated cables.  I concluded:

  1. Audiophile switches must be at least to the level of English Electric 8switch, and this switch is easily beaten by more expensive audiophile switches. Home improved switches like Cisco are not enough to make a noticeable sonic difference 
  2. Unless you need a switch, this is only an option. The Sonic benefit can be minor- like upgrading a cable.  Often the $3-4k+ would be better spent elsewhere 
  3. You need a very transparent system to hear a worthwhile difference such as very low noise floor components which are costly 
  4. Audiophile switches benefit with a better linear power supply 
  5. Adding more switches reportedly brings sonic benefits

So for most people, it’s better to spend their money elsewhere than on an audiophile switch.  YMMV

fredrik222
522 posts
 

A lot of people really suffer from the Dunning-Kruger effect in this forum, also known as cognitive bias, or the less you know about a topic the more you think you know about said topic. 

 

 

 

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fredrik222
522 posts
 

@tonywinga 

But you know, as an engineer I always worked with data and stood up for the truth

Thank you for the laugh of the year (early still). You have never in your life on this forum posted any data supporting anything you say, even though I have asked for it over and over again.

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