A sufficiently corrupted data stream cannot be reconstructed at the receiving end, but the corrupted packets can be identified and dropped.
This is quite audible and unmistakable. It does not result in the loss of ambience or differences in top hat shimmer.
Agreed. The reviewer did state that it would result in dropouts, affect depth, dynamics, impact and sound staging. As for any effects on ambience and/or shimmer, I'd have to hear it for myself as I've heard differences in those aspects with different cabling and from cleaning up noise on the AC.
All the best,
Nonoise