Network Switches

@devinplombier , got it; makes total sense. Thank you. 

I have returned the iFi silent power unit and for now, i am going replace it with a  duplicate the double StarTech/Finisar optical “moat” with the OM4 Corning glass in between the switch and M33 (i.e, the last ethernet segment to use your nice phrase). I may just leave the connection between the modem & router, alone for now. (I put aslightly better power source in to the router a couple weeks ago; maybe that is sufficient, given the “moats”.)

The original GigaFOILv4-INLINE (here) was basically an optical isolator, similar to the LHY product. The same folks that brought us the GigaFOILv4, DJM Electronics, now offers the fancier looking, Streaming Audio Ethernet EMI Filter (here) that uses “proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques” and costs about 4x as much.  Maybe it works better. Does it work better than the Network Acoustics ENO 2 that uses transformers to isolate, or the more expensive MUON PRO?  Who knows? Two $30 converters and two $80 LPSs may perform just as well, or not.  I have tried multiples of these things in my own system and the only thing I learned for sure is that they just keep costing more. In the end, we all seem to find our own path.

I agree, probably not optimal for multiple conversion, ethernet>optical>ethernet. Thru trial and error I found using OpticalRendu as my streamer was beneficial in a number of ways,. Firstly, Roon sound quality superior using two streamer setup, Roon core on first streamer, Endpoint on the OR which is designed for this purpose only, second benefit is the single optical conversion, third, OR optimizes usb vs what I'd get out of most streamers. 

Certainly one could go optical out of router route, the issue is not all optical interfaces equal, the Sonore and other audiophile converters provide superior optical interface. I and many others have compared generic to optimized solutions, this is the general consensus. 

@sns  we are using Edisoncreation Silent Switch OCXO II ver. Standard and the Fiberbox III ver. Standard. Also have had great results with Sonore Opitcal Module Deluxe V2 in tandem, with my Innuos Statement. 

@lalitk  have you ever experienced any ground loop issues when using the double shieded 26awg linkup Cat8 Ethernet cables?