Ethernet switches the good and bad

I have the DX Engineering filters between every network component and definitely hear a positive difference.

The "rabbit hole" reference above made me think of the Down The Rabbit Hole: Network Tweaks & Streamer DIY blog at TMR which has become my go-to reference for network enhancements. The featured contributor who goes by "Nenon" in other forums describes modding and stacking several Buffalo BS-GS2016 switches with good results. I am cost conscious so now only have two Cisco WS-C2960-8TC-S switches for $30 each stacked before my EtherRegen, short cabling (Supra Cat 8), stand alone modem near the rig, linear power supplies, fiber isolating the wifi as Nenon suggests - I'm one of the few it seems who don't like fiber as much as copper right in the audio path, maybe because of the converter noises people have mentioned.

Anyway, I've been pleased with the results by following the guidance in the article. When most every network tweak can be heard, I have little doubt the various switches mentioned here make a difference. Worth considering optimizing each component and connection along the way as an alternative to a single magic-bullet box. I just swapped out the last crappy ethernet cable near the modem to Supra and that really was a massive improvement. 

Im looking into the LHY SW-8 switch. Can be found here:

https://www.beatechnik.com/product-page/lhy-sw-8

Well reviewed here:

https://youtu.be/NTqmCfq8TP8

Seems to be a great value for its construction and quality.

Using a Fiio LPS for my streamer that cost only (about) $130. This was another marked improvement to the sound quality over a switching supply, even if only by virtue of removing potential noise from my Chang Lightspeed power bar.

Im currently using these filters on either side of my Ethernet cable:

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-iso-plus-2?seid=dxese1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLGjBhDKARIsAFRNgW-PpVwkOi05zrZM5ltu18CWQIQgb5N7ix7BWFlbekEl6ujCtdTxU48aAmoIEALw_wcB

They definitely made an improvement!

I feel that we are doing with streaming the same as we did some years ago: to add and add and add tweaks, small devices, big devices, LPS  everywhere.

I think that as happened with DACs this have to be solved and provided by the streamer manufacturer. Probably the state of the art for streaming is not mature what leave us several options: to wait till technology matures, keeping a not very good streamer, to add all these devices and to spend hundreds if not thousands of $, to use this money to buy now a better streamer.

I prefer the first option and save for the future despite of losing the pleasure of testing new and strange devices.

I had my ISP route the cable signal to the coax in my listening room.  Bought my own Modem and separate router.  I run optical from the router to a LHY SW-8 network switch (fiber media converters with 5 Volt LPS’s) and out of the SW-8 to my music server.  The fiber optic link was the biggest bang for the buck for me.  The SW-8 and Pangea Ethernet cables in between improved the sound even further.  

Added benefit:  I ran an Ethernet cable from the SW-8 to my TV.  Large improvement in picture quality when streaming.

I didn’t see anyone addressing yet another source of noise in the internet collection of devices. The internet source itself. Especially if you are getting TV over your cable also, like with Xfinity. I put an inexpensive PS Audio, ’HUMZERO’ on the input line to my modem and that eliminates all but the internet itself by way of creating an airgapped situation for your modem and router. it. Simple problem, simple solution. Now that Xfinity has installed Fiberoptic into my neighborhood even that has been reduced to only a slight concern now.

OMG did I just say something nice about XFINITY? I'm' sorry.