Network Switches

Why, if the digital signal is not being degraded and is therefore reaching its destination intact (which is all that matters), do I need a ’special’ switch

I believe the word "degraded" is being used in different senses by different people in this discussion. I have not used that word at all in my posts because it can be ambiguous and misleading in the context of digital signal transmission.

In a properly functioning Ethernet link all of the data (the 1s and 0s) will be received accurately. Yet at the same time various characteristics of the digital waveform will vary to some extent, depending on whether a switch is immediately upstream of the receiving component, and on the particular switch if one is present. I mentioned some of those characteristics in my first post in this thread, on 10-29-2019, and Atdavid elaborated further on my comments and added to them. Those characteristics may affect D/A conversion circuitry and/or analog circuitry in the component receiving that waveform that is downstream of the Ethernet interface in the component receiving that waveform.

I can only suggest that you take the time to re-read all of my posts in this thread and the posts by Atdavid. After doing so, if what we have said still isn’t clear I don’t know how to say it any more clearly.

Also, regarding...

Why, ... do I need a ’special’ switch?

Please note that I haven’t said that you or anyone else necessarily needs a "special switch." In fact my initial post in this thread referred to another thread in which two members reported significant sonic benefits to have resulted from insertion of a switch costing less than $20 into the signal path, in their very high quality systems. My point has simply been that sonic differences that have been reported by long-time highly respected members to have resulted from insertion of a switch or between different switches are technically plausible and explainable, in my opinion as an experienced designer of high speed analog, digital, and D/A converter circuits (not for audio).

Regards,
-- Al

Ok , lets forget, for the moment, analog v digital,cables, harmonics, power supplies etc etc
Every single manufacturer and supplier of these special ‘audiophile’ switches and every single ‘reviewer’ claims that these switches will "improve"  the digital audio being passed through them.

Every single one

This is why I asked my original question, because I could not see how a switch working at level 2 or 3 can affect the encoded audio (or video, they also claim !) in level 7.

Are you saying that they can or they can’t. It can NOT be both, and bear in mind that you keep repeating that the digital signal is not degraded by a switch

All I want is a ‘yes, they can’ or a ‘no, they can’t’ please. No dissertations on analog theory please

This is why I asked my original question, because I could not see how a switch working at level 2 or 3 can affect the encoded audio (or video, they also claim !) in level 7.

Are you saying that they can or they can’t. It can NOT be both, and bear in mind that you keep repeating that the digital signal is not degraded by a switch

As I just said in my previous post I have never used the word "degraded" in this thread, except to say that I have not used it and that its use can be misleading.

And for the umpteenth time the encoded audio is not affected in the sense of being received inaccurately. The subsequent D/A conversion circuitry and/or analog circuitry is what may be affected by differences in the characteristics of the Ethernet signal.

Every single manufacturer and supplier of these special ‘audiophile’ switches and every single ‘reviewer’ claims that these switches will "improve" the digital audio being passed through them.

In my previous post I suggested that you re-read my (and Atdavid’s) posts in this thread, beginning with the first of my posts dated 10-29-2019. In the very first paragraph of that post I said as follows:

As someone having extensive experience in digital (and analog) design, although not for audio, it is very conceivable to me that a network switch can make a difference sonically. Not because it affects the accuracy with which 1s and 0s are received; not because it affects the timing with which those bits are received; ***and probably not because of most of the reasons that are likely to be offered in the marketing literature of makers of audiophile-oriented switches.*** [Emphasis added].

Regards,
-- Al

@jason

how a switch working at level 2 or 3 can affect the encoded audio

Just because the sound is better after inserting a new switch does not mean the switch affected the encoded audio.  Couldn't improvements be due solely to a reduction of RF/EM noise in the chain?

All I want is a yes or no.  

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