Bricasti M1 DAC vs PS Audio Direct Stream DAC

Yes but no it is not a splitter. This is a basic but managed gigabyte
switch. The basic part is good. The less going on the better. Less noise. Yes it can perform splitting duties but it’s much different than a splitter even if you use it as a splitter as it works well at that as well.

For me i could hear it immediately but not all systems are going to have the type of resolution to enjoy these small digital augmentations.

That said this is a Bricasti - Directstream thread and a system with either of these DACs with similar like quality other components it’s definitely a worthwhile add.

I have AudioQuest Vodka ethenet Cables and bought the excellent Cardas Clear Ethernet Cable to try and wanted to see if I could hear a difference so I hooked it direct from my router to player and it sounded worse. I was bummed so then I plugged the Vodka in Router direct and it sounded as worse.

Then I plugged the switch back in and ran the Cardas out of my switch to player and was like oh yes very nice and much better. In digital - noise floor matters. Don’t bother if you don’t want to it’s not a must add but I won’t go without it. Check it out over on Chris Conikors website the computer Audiophile it’s where I learned about and they speak of it as a pure must have. Because I was happy with it I bought a fancy much more expensive switch and it didn’t sound any better or worse.

The extra level helps trap a bit of the router noise ground. A managed switch is a much more simplifier device than a wireless router. 

Routers and wireless units are noisy.

The managed switch is simple so when you use one and add nice competent 12v linear power supply - I use the Uptone Audio JS-2 Linear Power Supply plugged into my PS Audio P10 with HiDiamond P3 Power Cable and I connect switch to JS-2 with custom Ghent Audio DC power cables (Canare Copper Cable and excellent  Oyaide Connectors). I put isonode Sorbane feet under it with EdenSound Solid Brass Vibration weights on top with AudioQuest Vodka and Cardas Clear Ethernet Cables and trust me it matters. You don’t need to go all in like me but switch as a nice add and I’ve found with Digital the more you can push it the better it sounds.

Moreover, I’ve tries multiple expensive Ethernet filters and they take away too much. Just get the simplest and cleanest you can is best in my opinion. The Acoustic Revive Filter and the SoTm filters both sucked out the life. This did the opposite. It became more linear, quicker, cleaner and just nicer. YMMV 👀

Also, I use JRiver 22 with JRemote. Like it better than Roon. Thanks 

If your home is wired with a home run built in, meaning each room has its own Ethernet port and all of the terminates at 1 location, then you would plug all of these Ethernet cables into the switch, then run a cable from 1 of the router ports to the switch. The switch is invisible to the network as long as you have everything plugged into the switch (rooms, computers, tv’s, streamers, etc) and the switch is plugged into router. A switch gives each port 1G performance without doing all the noisy network broadcasts that occur if using a hub.

as for the PS DS, have you heard the Huron upgrade? The PS DS keeps getting better every 6 months or so and it’s 1 of the best now.

My interpretation of "managed" is ability to configure each port individually versus "unmanaged" where all are equivalent.   But with only 1 component,  should make no difference IMHO.

With switch in the chain, you're hearing 2 additional digital cables.   Glad it works for you.   Happy Listening!

@rbstehno - The latest release of firmware for the PS Audio DS DAC is Redcloud, is that the version you're referring to as best? Assume so from most of the comments I've seen.