Network Switches

@three_easy_paymentsing

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? 

So you are saying 'yes, a switch can improve the audio and video being passed through it?  or no it can't.  It really can not be both
Still a simple question.   Again, if you don't know. just say so

@jason_k2017

and ’ for the umpteenth time’....why don’t you pick up a switch and try it on your system? My gosh, even if we say adding a switch made an audible difference, does that guarantees you will hear the same improvements @grannyring and others have heard in their system.

Why this is so difficult for you to understand everyone’s system and hearing capabilities are not the same. You may hear improvements or you may not. At least by trying you will put this to rest.

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

It depends on what is meant by "improve."

It will not improve (or change) the data that is being conveyed. It may affect the manner and the degree to which the characteristics of the signal affect downstream circuitry. And consequently it may improve the overall performance of the system and the sonics heard by the listener.

If that distinction is too complex for some to understand I don't know what else to say.

Regards,
-- Al

@jason - very cute, answering my question with a question.  Since you choose not to answer my question I will answer for you.  Of course a switch that doesn't introduce RF/EM noise to a line can sound better than one that does.  You know this as well as I do. Every component in your chain that runs on electricity has the potential to add noise - it doesn't matter if the gear is transmitting analog or digital signals. 

Do you deny this?  And please, don't respond with another question.  A yes or no is requested.

Despite my attempts to educate people that if RF/EM noise introduction at the switch will really affect the audio signal, then after passing through hundreds or even thousands of interim switches and routers how do we even have a recognizable audio signal.

Another forgotten fact is that the switch does not communicate directly with the DAC, it communicates directly to the network card in the DAC and it's buffers, where the signal is extracted from the ethernet packet and stored until the DAC requests it.  These network cards are manufactured by a handful of chip companies and I guarantee that NONE of them are giving any attention to audio.  There is so much misinformation being thrown about here that it is disheartening that it's even being given serious consideration.