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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
fredrik222
522 posts
 

@nonoise 

No need to spend $3K for the one sold at GTT Audio but you'll have to source your own linear power supply and it won't have any of the mods in it but you'll be way ahead of the game for pennies on the dollar.

keep in mind that all communication devices are regulated by the FCC, and while they are not likely to care if you modify a switch as the worst case scenario is that you burn down your own house, it is very different with radios. It is illegal to sell and operate radios that have not been approved by the FCC, and that includes modifying existing radios. Unless of course his “modifications” to the Aruba access point doesn’t do anything , which is the most likely scenario, since any changes would need to include software update, and he doesn’t have source code access to the Aruba OS. 

deep_333
1,912 posts
 

Let us begin your rehabilitation Freddy. After you get rehabilitated, go back to your Sith lord Majidimehr on the ASR mothership and serve as the rehabilitated, repurposed, audiogon Trojan warrior.

But, watch this (all pinned timestamps, live blind tests, etc) and let your mind start polka dancing first. This is step 1 of your rehabilitation.

https://www.youtube.com/live/8HNMMksiD_Q?si=leRtfRhKfpQTjfMS

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

Interesting video.  He shows data of how performance degrades under load.  I had wondered that in the back of my mind since my Audio network switch has my computer, back channel router and Apple TV plugged into it.  The EE8 switch says to use one particular port for audio because it is isolated from the rest.  I’m thinking about moving the SW-8 from the Apple TV and putting it next to the EE8.  Plug everything into the SW-8 and then have one cable from the SW-8 go to the EE8 and on to my music server.  I’ll see if that makes a difference.  (I will also try just unplugging everything but the Audio from the EE8.)

I saw an improvement in the TV picture streaming when I put the SW-8 next to the Apple TV.  My assumption was that the long, 100’ ethernet cable run picks up some noise.  But maybe it is the multiple connections into the EE8 that are adding noise.

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

I moved the SW-8 next to the EE8.  So the SW-8 is connected to the Apple TV at the front end of the long ethernet cable vs. the back end.  I also left the computer unconnected- it doesn’t need an ethernet cable anyway.  The TV picture streaming looks the same as when the SW-8 was at the back end of the long Ethernet cable and next to the Apple TV.

The EE8 now has one short connection coming from the SW-8 and one connection to my music server.  It will be a couple of days before I listen to my stereo system.  I shut the stereo down last night so I can get some yard work done the next couple of days. 

fredrik222
522 posts
 

@deep_333

4 hour video about two guys listening to music seems pretty useless, however, I did watch the section "some sort of conclusion" where the guy on the left says that the LHY and PURA "audiophile switches" sounds worse than the baseline, based on the timing and rhythm, so there is that.

and you realize you are the one in a cult right? You speak out against technologies and science you know nothing about, jumping up and down screaming “but I heard it, I did, I promise!”

how about an actual test and dissecting of an "audiophile" switch?

 

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