Basic switch....should I upgrade?


I'm using a D-Link switch into a EtherRegen (with an AfterDark PSU & Clock) via a Signature Ethernet Cable. Coming out of the EtherRegen I use a basic fiber optic cable into my streamer. (All connects/cables not mentioned are upgraded.)

Simply put, should I upgrade the switch or does the fantastic EtherRegen clean up the switch's audio shortcomings?

Please don't tell me to get a TT!  

128x128wsrrsw
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Ok: My Update after a lot of kind help here, dowsing, pontificating, Dunning-Kruger deprogramming, reading, writing and arithmetic (or something like that).

1.) Alex (co-birth father of the EtherRegen) is beyond nice and helpful. I had emailed him about power supplies for the EtherRegen. He asked me what I was using and I told him an AfterDark: Linear Power Supply x 2. FULL STOP. I had written to him as the AfterDark: Linear Power Supply was hot to the touch and I thought something wasn’t quite right (it powered both the AfterDark clock and EtherRegen). He told me not to use the AfterDark: Linear Power Supply x 2 to power the EtherRegen as it canceled out functionality. How right he was! Using both power taps was the problemInto the EtherRegen went an iFi iPower Elite - Low Noise Power Supply Adapter (12V). My wife came into the listing area and (unasked) told me the sound was better and what had I done? (This from the woman who’s eyes roll back into her noggin when I even get close to the outer phalanxes of all things stereo.) Better as in Wowzeer. Additionally the AfterDark power supply is cool to the touch.

2.) The other thing Alex told me was to run fiber/SPF (and to use Single mode fiber optic cable.) from a switch with SPF into the EtherRegen as that’s the best way for the cleanest signal. I got an Enterprise one from Ubiquiti. Bam.

Qobuz test tracks

Perhaps at this point this update will be a needed soporific.

I used the enterprise switch with a fiber optic out into to an EtherRegen and then out of Regen into ye old steamer with a dang fine ethernet cable. Sound was very very clean...a bit too clean. So.....

Removed switch (again this time a "good" one) and tried EtherRegen first with ethernet cable in and fiber optic out and then with ethernet in and ethernet out. With my gear the all ethernet sounds best. YMMV

Clean any and every thing a reap the rewards. Maybe even get a gold star?

 

@wsrrsw - Interesting... I got a nice boost in SQ when going with fiber. What brand & length of ethernet cable before & after the EtherRegen are you using? 

@boxer12 I’m using this one .6 meter very short out of ERegen and a 40’ in that was needed to get to where stereo stuff is into the ERegen . Can’t get to gear any other way except a wireless solution.