Network Switches

Since it hasn’t been brought up, consider GROUNDING the switch with a RJ45 terminated grounding cable.

Additionally, vibrational / resonance control via footers (etc.) will help. Weights to help stabilize the unit (the consumer 8 Port units are lightweight), especially important if the LAN cables are hefty.

I bring this up because in many systems the switch seems to have the ultimate ugly duckling status. This was the case again (just last evening)...the switch was under the rack on the carpet. Out of sight but likely not out of earshot. : )

Bridging and switching were brought up in a previous post.

I have (at this point in time) eliminated the network switch for my audio system and utilize a "simple bridge" within my server. 

Here are straightforward definitions and explanations of the differences between the two...

https://techdifferences.com/difference-between-bridge-and-switch.html

http://nhprice.com/tutorial-of-differences-between-hub-bridge-switch-and-router.html

https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/resources/resource-library/articles/what-s-the-difference-between-hubs-switches-bridges/

And a heavier, more detailed read:

https://book.systemsapproach.org/internetworking/switching.html

I think that the quality of digital transmission is hard to improve upon. DAC receivers have also in the last few years become excellent at jitter and ground loop isolation.

However, the noise emitted by the switch mode power adapters, as well as the Ethernet cables themselves can make its way easily into linear components.

So, I suggest using shielded power cables for all components. A linear power supply for digital and inexpensive power strips that have great noise reduction features to keep the network components in their own dirty sandbox.

My thoughts and recommendations here:

https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html

oh, and try to route your ethernet cables away from all audio cables, especially power supply and interconnect cables.

@atdavid   


Agreed on the ethernet cable but clearly routers and switches aren't always galvanically isolated.

Ethernet is always galvanically isolated. The connection is through a transformer.