I've tried cutting out the media converters and going ethernet straight into the regular switch, which feeds the NA ENO; got to admit, I find music pops more/a better 3D presentation/greater depth - I feel like the media converters in the chain were actually constricting the soundstage front to back.
I've had the converters in for a while and never tried without since, even through a change of streamer; Node N130 -> Innuos Zen Mini mkiii
I think you're both right; upgrading my streamer maybe the most worthwhile investment in my system at this point