Do I really need an " Audio Grade Network Switch "?

I'd agree I've heard little difference with devices pre server. Its post server where all the meaningful improvements come from. I'm listening to just installed Sonore opticalrendu (powered by Uptone JS2 LPS), wonderful improvement upon SOTM SMS200. I'm now full optical from first FMC which is direct out from server, to usb out to Dac. Prior had two FMC and ethernet cable to go through. Usb out of any server is highly unlikely to be best streaming solution. Optical post server is optimal setup, absolute isolation between server and dac is a must, dont need all these add on filters with this method.

I haven't tried these products - mostly because the premise of improved "clocking", "timing", and/or "less jitter" improving SQ doesn't seem likely given the error correction in the TCP protocol - as well as where these switches are to be installed (before the streamer/server).

In my experience, "noise" in the digital front end plumbing can have downstream effects on SQ, and I have had good results using products that aim to deal with that:  linear power supplies, Gigafoil, ENO ethernet filter.  FWIW, I have what I consider a decent streamer - the DCS Network Bridge.

Looking at a few of the audiophile switches mentioned here, most only market the improved timing, decreased jitter or "data integrity" as the stated benefit.  A few do mention techniques to reduce clock and other "noise", and/or using improved external power supplies to that affect.  I could see these possibly having a benefit.

As with other proposed improvements maybe somewhat to do with your self-confidence. Do you trust your own ears or others ears?

Hi preston8452,  Clearly some people say it won't make a difference, and others say they have tried one and it does.  Very few say they have tried one and it did not make a difference.  But maybe it didn't in their system. Certainly peoples systems and hearing will affect their opinion as well.  I have nice stuff, including nice streamer / DAC, good cables and I am ecstatic with the sound.  I added an EtherREGEN, and to my ears it was a nice improvement.  I then added the Bonn 8 Silent Angel network switch, replacing a Netgear switch, because as you stated, the price was appealing and I wanted to try one.  To my ears, the Bonn 8 improved things again.  Not as much as the EtherRGEN, but I feel it added and was worth it.

I recommend you try one!  Ken

I have an EtherRegen on order since early December. I'm going to try it. Here's why: 

Recently I was building out a wall-mount rack on the opposite side of the front wall of my listening room. (I always told my daughter that her bedroom would become - my media room when she moved out.) This is conveniently adjacent to my network closet with my firewall and router. 

In my planning, I'd decided to run a single network cable from a switch port in the network closet and then place a small switch in the rack that would supply the two devices (Oppo and streamer) with network access. This I did. And when everything was ready, I went back to the listening room to give my results a listen. 

Digital streaming sounded awful. Brittle. Streaming local files was not as bad, but neither sounded like they had before my most recent modifications. Long story short, I removed the new switch and the system returned its prior performance levels. 

The thing is, I've been working with networks for 30 years in my day job. I would NEVER have told you that I expected a switch to make a difference in the presentation of digital sound. But the answer, I think, is that switches can introduce noise onto the medium (wire), and some will more than others. Maybe your gear will filter out that noise, maybe it won't. My DAC is a Benchmark DAC3 HGC. It clearly doesn't capture it all. My streamer is a Tinkerboard S-based Volumio streamer that I built that normally sounds pretty fantastic. (Not expecting more than the standard level of galvanic isolation from that unit).

Converting to fiber and back comes with its own limitations on bit rate, etc, and in the end, it's two more conversions from the original format, so I'm a little shy about that approach. 

So I ordered the EtherRegen. I don't know if I expect it to improve on the link that I'm currently using, but I still want a switch in my rack, and the Netgear device I'd purchased (been using them for years) wasn't going to cut it.