Not enough information about your LAN or streamer to give you a meaningful response. But at some point you have to convert fiber to copper and/or copper to fiber. And for that conversion, quality matters. As does the PSU for the converter/switch.
Does ethernet switch quality matter when using fiber connection?
From my understanding noise should be eliminated once it reaches the fiber cable since glass will carry the pure signal
With this in mind, should one disregard a more expensive switch such as ETHERRegen when streaming with fiber in favor of a > $100 switch.
Is it still worth investing in an audiophile grade switch and if so why?
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When you say "wall" you mean coming out of your router, correct? Most routers output through Ethernet and most streamers/servers input through Ethernet. Therefore, in most cases, people need two conversions. If your Lumin has a direct optical input then you have an advantage by needing one less convertor. Some folks convert the Ethernet to fiber for only a short distance just ahead of the streamer/server as sort of a galvanic break. There are companies who make small boxes that filter and do other magical things and many of those also provide galvanic isolation to reduce/eliminate EMI/RFI being transmitted to the streamer/server. I convert to fiber imediately after the router and then again just before the streamer/server. Most of my 45 foot run is in fiber. Honestly, I cannot hear a difference whether that run is Ethernet cable or fiber but I have left the fiber in-place. Regarding your switch, @audiom3 nailed it with the importance of using a LPS on the switch (and on the Ethernet to Fiber converters). Regarding the purchase of an "audiophile approved" switch, only you can decide how important that is to the sound of your system. There are people here who are pretty passionate about their switches with the English Electric 8 switch and the Bonn N8 Silent Angel switches both being popular. OTOH, you might look at this. Some other stuff you might want to read about includes the Network Acoustics ENO filter and the Intona Technology USB Hi-Speed Isolator. The level of impact of certain items on the sound of your system may be affected by the design of your streamer/server, the EMI/RFI in your ambient environment, and other factors. The best way to know for sure is to listen. |
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