Basic switch....should I upgrade?

Meant to say impacting not improving SQ. 
 

here is a very high level overview of how networking works: 

@fredrik222 

The juniper ex2200-c switch seems to be updated in a newer model- not sure one can buy new.  Do you have a newer model suggestion?

@sns

If you are not already aware, the SFP modules and FMC make a difference. Some people even say single mode is better than multi mode and the length makes a difference. But one thing for sure, fibre does not collect or transmit noise.

In my network, replacing a generic fs.com FMC with EtherRegen was a worthwhile improvement. Perhaps Sonore Optical Module would be as good there, but I had ER on hand.

Fibre > NTD > Cat 6a UTP > EtherRegen > fibre > Mikrotik CRS 305 (router) > audio grade Cat 6a > Server > audio grade Cat 7 > WAP > - wifi - > Devialet

Who would’ve thought it would make any difference there?

Take note, there is no switch downstream of the router. The SFP+/10Gbe router/switch really makes s big difference for the better. It is not the speed it is the specification for that speed that seems to really matter for audio. I have my CRS running at 100Mb. But patience and learning is needed to set it up. I am not a network technician, but managed to get it done with some help.

Also, need to be careful about the how cable sheilds are terminated. Not all audio grade cables use the same approach.

@fredrik222 I hear what you are saying and hear it many times. However, it appears that as well as the digital encoding in ethernet transmission, there is something else that is detrimental to audio. I have seen it explained that the digital code is carried by analog signal which also transmits ’noise’. That noise also may affect each device differently. Hence trial and error is needed to discover which cables best suit particular devices. I wish it were easier, easy works but gets mediocre results, and that may be satisfying sound, but not as excellent or optimal as it could be.

@dbastin of course the digital signal is transmitted using analog electrical signal over copper, however, it doesn’t change that it is digital, and noise floor only is relevant to make sure that the frame made it across intact. It is pretty simple, each Ethernet frame has a CRC check, if it passes the check, the frame is accepted, if it doesn’t, the frame is discarded. So, if you have enough interference, for instance, by taping batteries to your cables, you will have a higher rate of discarded frames, that the higher level protocols need to correct for, typically by asking for a retransmit.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_frame

@kennyc while I personally don’t like Cisco, you can typically find cheap Ciscos on eBay, like the 2960G mentioned above.

the current version of my switches are Juniper EX2300-C

https://www.juniper.net/us/en/products/switches/ex-series/ex2300-c-fanless-switch.html