Share Experiences with Ethernet Switches, Ethernet Cables and USB Cables used in Streaming

Without doubt the sweet spot is the Aurender N20. Other server/streamers maybe fractionally better but nothing will blow the N20 away. You'll need to spend at least twice the price to get any slight improvement.

It also has a master clock input.

My setup is N20, solid silver USB cable, Musetec 005 DAC optomised for USB.

Other DACs may prefer AES/EBU digital but you can't play native DSD.

DACs are starting to be sold now using the new ESS 9039 PRO chip. This will increase price/performance.

“Ethernet cable, Ethernet Switch, Ethernet Filters and the USB cable”

I suggest search and read up here, there has been so many discussions on these items and how they improve streaming experience in addition to having a high quality streamer /server. The degree of improvement you would hear in your system is going to come down to quality and careful implementation of these products. You may review my ‘Digital’ system listed under my moniker, pic22 outlines my home network optimization.

Here is a thread to get you started by @audphile1

Also check out thread by @grannyring

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/network-acoustics-muon-ethernet-filtering-system-improving-streaming

+1 @lalitk 

this ground has been covered here numerous times in recent past

search bar above is op's friend