Don't dismiss the LHY SW-8 or their new SW-6 Network Switch. Very good performance for the money. The SW-8 was a step up from using a fiber optic link for me. The fiber optic link was a big step up from a direct ethernet connection from router to music server/streamer. Not only that but I found the SW-8 does wonders for streaming video on my TV. The picture looks like a photograph in motion.
The silver plated wire in the AQ Cinnamon and the Pangea SE ethernet cables make a difference too. The Pangea and the AQ Cinnamon Ethernet cables were very close to my ears. The Pangea are directional too but are not marked. In one direction the highs were harsh and unpleasant but in the other direction the cables sound good. It was not a subtle difference. With the Pangea SE connected backwards, a $5 ethernet cable will outperform it. I am not overstating that.