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Relationship between Ethernet Switch and SQ

This one will probably invite some withering mockery, but I will ask....

I only stream, and my streamer (Bryston BDP) is fed with an ethernet cable that runs back to my router.  Literally back to my router; there are enough output jacks on the router that I have a long run to the streamer and no ethernet switch in the chain (or the house system for that matter).   (There is an Eno filter right before the streamer).

I happen to OWN a nice LHY ethernet switch.  I am assuming that there is no reason to use it in this configuration, that is, assuming there are noisier switches, and less noisy switches, there is still no net benefit of adding any switch to this chain.  But maybe, just maybe, in the metaphysics of electrons that I do not understand, there is some reason why a nice switch prior to the streamer accomplishes something (in theory...I get that I can A/B test and try to fool myself whether I can hear a difference).  For the first person with a correct answer, I will mail a nice $600 switch to the address you specify! (JK)

mathiasmingus
cleeds
6,213 posts
 

carlsbad2

... This isn’t fast enough for streaming so error checking goes out the window, replaced by "error correction" meaning that if a bit is dropped, some value between the 2 adjoining bits is chosen (interpolation) ... So streamers, clocks, power supplies, and audiophile switches are ways we endeavor to avoid dropped bits ...

What streaming service are you using? I can tell you that Qobuz uses the TCP/IP protocol, so the end user should get a bit-perfect transfer. It takes very little network speed for Qobuz to work and even at hi-res, 10 mbps should be enough. Remember that your streamer will load content from a service such as Qobuz into a cache, so if there is an error in transmission, there’s more than enough time for the packet to be resent. Interpolation isn’t part of the protocol - at least not for Qobuz over TCP/IP.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,630 posts
 

@cleeds do all streamers cache? Let’s not confuse caching with buffering…I’m asking about caching. 

cleeds
6,213 posts
 

audphile1

Let’s not confuse caching with buffering…I’m asking about caching.

If you want to be precise, what a streamer really does is load the file into a buffer. It’s really a difference without a distinction, though. You’re getting a bit perfect file from a source such as Qobuz because the data is sent in packets over TCP/IP with error correction and no interpolation, contrary to your claim.

You haven’t identified your streaming source and I suppose it’s possible that you’re not getting bit perfect files from your provider. Which service are you using?

paullb
141 posts
 

Thanks @lalitk and @fastfreight for the Link UP ethernet cable recommendation. I’ve been looking for something good but reasonably priced since I’m just using free cat five cables for now. 

ghdprentice
7,948 posts
 

@fastfreight 

 

Thanks for your comments. I think you did a good job of capturing the nuances of reality. There is a trade off between investing in a very good streamer and also upgrading network components. I have one of the finest streamers… adding a EtherRegen does not improve the sound quality at all. But it does improve the sound in lessor streamers, as will fancy routers. The trick is figuring out the optimal mixture. That will depend on how resolving the rest of your system is, you financial situation, desire to play with technology… or not. 
 

@carlsbad2  Enjoy the holidays. 🎄

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