Ethernet connection for best sound quality

yage

I don’t think the average audiophile realizes that these multi-thousand dollar products are based on low-cost, low-powered hardware and freely available open source projects.

You seem to think you possess some special knowledge. I think the typical audiophile buying a multi-kilobuck streamer knows very well what's he's buying. Most likely, he also listened to it before purchase, and it's also common to buy with a return guarantee.

The fact of the matter is that a great sounding streamer can be made from something as simple as a Raspberry Pi 4 ...

That is very true. When I first started streaming and wanted to graduate from using a phone (hey - we all start somewhere!), my first stop was a Raspberry Pi with a HAT to a digital out. It worked like a charm into my Bryston BDA-3 and I can certainly understand why some audiophiles might stop right there, just as some users might have stopped at using their phones to stream. Many people are satisfied with that level of performance.

@tvrgeek 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0660/6121/files/UpTone-J.Swenson_EtherREGEN_white_paper.pdf?v=1583429386

For the umpteenth time: Bits are bits but all audio is analogue!

Do we have any CEE’s out there? The shielded cat 5e, 6 or 7 cables makes perfect sense. Installing high quality connections is also a no brainer. However, reading this thread brings up a few interesting questions. What internal components and design concepts are being utilized in high end streamers, like those previously mentioned? Since I own a Lumin U2 mini, I will pick on it. Has anyone with a CEE degree analyzed its design, construction, and components? Other than sound quality, which is extremely important, this is where the rubber meets the road. What do you see under the hood? Is it a Ferrari or a Chevy? The same question would apply to any other high quality streamer on the market. 

Actually, "digital" is a mathematical concept. There is no such thing as digital in the physical world. 

But in the  transport area, bits are bits.  What you do with those bits is where the differences in sound come from. I might suggest a review of the IP stack and some basic systems understanding would enlighten some readers here. I only have over 40 years CS experience so what do I know?  :)

Above CAT-5 is ridiculous for audio.  You are not building a 10G system. CAT-3 is fine but having the pairs with consistent twists and bonded as in CAT-5 is good practice. Most consumer grade Ethernet hardware does not even have provision for the shield ground.  Look at the socket. If it is not plated, then shielding is useless. 

tvtgeek, you are definitely on to something most people don’t realize. Case in point, none of my jacks are plated for a grounded cable. I use plenum rated cat 5e cable and high quality jacks throughout my network. I have talked to a number of CEE’s regarding network switches etc. Some of these guys work on the software, hardware, and network side of the business. When I questioned the network person, he didn’t see any benefit in a “audio network switch.” He knew exactly what I was talking about. This person recommended using an unmanaged Cisco or Netgear switch. In other words, a high quality and reliable switch. In his technical analysis, a $500+ audio switch would really serve no purpose on the network side. Your system is a different story and what matters the most - DAC, preamp and amplifier. Of course, streamers prompted this thread.