Network Switches

Why anybody would convert Ethernet to usb into a dac/streamer is nuts, going backwards in sound quality. Ethernet into the dac will always sound better than usb, anything sounds better than usb!

I wouldn’t use any switch with a wall wart power source going to my dac or streamer. I go out of my mesh router into a switch that has the power source built in, use an Soundstring power cable into the switch, and then into the streamer using a cat 7 Audioquest Vodka cable, then using a Revelation Audio $700 i2s cable from the streamer into the dac. 

Check out some reviews on going thru 2 switches that clean up the sound that sounds better than going thru 1 audiophile  switch, and they liked the sound better  going thru 2 cheap switches. I’m doing this but using a better switch that doesn’t use a wall wart power supply.

At an audio show, a dealer was doing a a/b comparison between an expensive $2000 audiophile switch and a typical switch and I thought the system sounded better with the cheap switch.

I just saw a video of someone going over an audiophile switch which was a rebranded d-link (the case had d-link pressed on it) switch with a couple caps installed for $700 more. If you want to eliminate any noise into your streamer or dac, convert the Ethernet to fiber then back to Ethernet at the streamer/dac.

“If you want to eliminate any noise into your streamer or dac, convert the Ethernet to fiber then back to Ethernet at the streamer/dac.”

@rbstehno , @deep_333 and anybody else who knows,  I’ve been thinking about trying this, as an empirical experiment. In my case, I’ve got a cable modem capable of 2.5Gb speed, but my ISP tops out at 1.3Gb, going into an eero 7 which then connects to a standard unmanaged ZYXEL switch, which itself is connected only to a Roon Nucleus One and my streamer/dac (all integrated into my NAD M33), which has an iFi silencer in its port.

So, as i don't have or need 10Gb capability, do i need anything beyond 2 media converters and a length of 1000 BASE-LX or SX fiber cable?  And is LX (single mode) necessary —or better - when the run will be less than 1 meter?   Assuming SX is fine, do these converters fit the bill?

https://www.cablesandkits.com/cabling/fiber/media-converters/mcmmsc-1gb/pro-4528/

Anybody have recommendations for fiber?

will this do the trick?

https://www.cablesandkits.com/mc/om3-lc-lc/fam-531/fp-3818/

thanks!

Following discussions like this is the reason I have stuck with my CD transport and not gone into streaming yet. Just don't have it in me to tackle another audio project after having gone through all the somewhat simpler considerations that were bought to bear on setting up the system I have arrived at after years of fiddling.

I agree with antigrunge2 about the etherRegen (eR) between a standard switch and the streamer. After doing this, I added another eR in series. Now my network: standard switch thru cat6 to eR thru fiber optic to another eR through my best cat6 cable into streamer (an HQPlayer NAA in my case). The SMPS that comes with eR is good. A linear PS can make an additional, subtle, improvement.

Without the eR in the chain, a linear power supply on the std switch made a big difference. With the eR in place this improvement is subtle.

A much better route is to treat noise at the source, Broadcom chipset vs Intel chipset in modem, disable wifi on router, emi-rfi contamination, power both via lps
 

Agree with @sns as a good first step prior to diving into FMCs and switches.

My advice is that switches upstream don't matter.  Bad power supplies do.  

Keep your networking power supplies (i.e. wall warts) off your clean power area.  Use a separate conditioner if you need to, and consider using iFi power supplies for them if they are near your audio. 

Also agree with @erik_squires as which tracks with SNS’ prior comment.

Personally, I was skeptical of FMCs until I had a positive experience with SGC FMC bundle to avoid compatibility issues when starting out. I’ve since progressed to a better FMC and more LPS throughout. Bringing it back full circle, I was surprised how much of an impact an LPS had on my generic switch, usage of iFi LAN iSilencer on other accessories, and separate power conditioner. 

Nonetheless, I was just as skeptical as some in this thread, but experience can offer positive surprises for those that are willing to experiment - not always, but sometimes.