best network switch configuration for audio

Thanks all. So to summarize to date, it sounds like consensus is that:
1) bandwidth is likely not to be a consideration. Seems that way to me also. Haven't had problems yet and internet download speed is typically 150 - 170 Mbps.
2) As long as CAT 6 or 6a is used for long runs, my fairly revealing 2 channel system (CAPS microZuma server, PS audio DirectStream DAC, Magtech amp, Soundlab M-1's) is unlikely to suffer audible RF problems.
3)Having non 2 channel components (pre/pro, TV, DirecTv receiver, etc) connected to the same local switch as the DAC is not likely to adversely affect SQ.
4) wall wart (low quality switched mode power supplies) powering the local (or central) switches are likely to affect SQ. Running these on a different circuit will help isolate that. Hmm.
 I can do that since I put in a separate line off the electrical service entrance panel to a Torus panel and have 5 circuits off that dedicated to the HT room. The DAC will be on one of those circuits. I also left the original outlets in the room which come off the house subpanel. Local switch can be off that circuit.Problem may be that since those house circuits have a different ground path (but all grounds ultimately do tie back to the service entrance panel) there is a possibilty for different ground  potentials in the two circuit systems which can then interact via the low voltage connections (in this case ethernet) between components. I know this is a real phenomenon through the work of Bill Whitlock and Jaime Fox, but not sure how big a deal it might be in this application. Sounds like using the house circuit might be the first thing to try though since it is so simple.
I suppose other options might include linear power supplies for the local switches, ethernet filters, wire to fiber then fiber to wire  transitions before the DAC.....All options to occupy future cold winter days inside.
I just thought - does anyone make a non megabuck fiber switch and is using that even anything other than the deranged musings of an OCD audiophile?

I'm not sure that wall warts WILL cause an issue, but a couple of audiophiles have chased noise problems that ended up being related.

No, bandwidth will not be a problem at all, assuming you are running anything more modern than Token Ring. :D :D :D

Cheap switches are almost all universally 1 GigE. Unless you are running multiple DSD256 at the same time. :)

Hah! Multichannel quad DSD - wouldn't that be nice! I can only imagine. Maybe next year:)
Thanks again for your input, it was quite helpful. Happy new year!

+1 erik_squires
There are high quality SMPS but unfortunately the most of them, especially wall warts, produce a lot of switching noise.  It is practically impossible to avoid them (light dimmers etc.) but noise can be filtered out.  I use Furman Elite 20PFi that provides not only filtering but also very tight non-sacrificial over/under voltage protection.

Ok now you're in my wheelhouse.  I learn a ton about audio from the membership here but IP networking is what I do.  I am in fact a network engineer with better than 25 years of industrial scale experience in corporate and government network environments.  This is where I earn my keep.  If I may toot my own horn a bit, I am an expert.

Let me first say yes to Cisco routing and switching.  I work with all of the major manufacturers, Cisco, Juniper, Dell, HP, Fortinet, Palo Alto and on and on.  They're all truly capable but the reason I like to steer people towards Cisco is that it's pervasive.  If you have an issue, someone smarter than you has likely been there and done that and published a nice document on how to conquer the issue.  The documentation available (for free) on-line cannot be beat.

Ok, that's out of the way.  I'd say the choice of the best switch depends entirely on what you want to accomplish.  The reason I say this is that on an increasingly complex basis, I've had to deal with what is called network convergence.  The main objective of a network is to transmit computer related data, your run of the mill internet/LAN traffic, web/email/file sharing etc.  Then phone traffic was added.  I'm sure you've seen and heard the term VoIP.  In more recent years, people have seen the transport value of adding services like DVR/AVR video security systems and even audio/visual services to the IP network.

So here's where I like "smart" managed switches like Cisco.  You can create "VLAN's" or virtual LAN to segment different network traffic systems.  For example you would create a data VLAN for your PC's, Mac's and Servers.  A VLAN for you telephone/voice/VoIP.  A VLAN for yes, you guessed it...  A/V.

What's good about a top-end managed switch like a Cisco Catalyst device is that you can manage your typical broadcast AND multicast network traffic.  Most unmanaged switches will pass anything but won't control network congestion.  With Cisco gear you can control broadcast and multicast traffic on a per-VLAN basis.  You can implement QoS (Quality of Service) queuing which basically lets you assign a priority to different traffic types.  For example you would want your voice or A/V traffic to have a higher priority or even a guaranteed bandwidth above and beyond your knuckle-head son's bit torrents (God only knows what he's pirating) traffic.  

In most cases you shouldn't really care about what you're doing on the network in the home in terms of streaming content as long as you have enough bandwidth.  Cable/broadband is generally pretty sufficient with the buffering built in to the services that are typically needed the most.  Unmanaged switches will generally pass multicast A/V traffic but with a nice managed switch, you can control broadcast and multicast storms on the network if you have a misconfigured device.  AppleTV makes extensive use of multicast and I've nearly been brought to tears on numerous occasions with a poorly configured multicast network and an AppleTV in an executive conference room.

I know, this is a whole lot of technical mumbo-jumbo about corporate networking but I can assure you that it's making its way to the home.  For voice, think of services like Vonage.  For DVR/IVR, look at the pro-sumer grade products like Synology or QNap.  AppleTV, Chromecast etc...  You get into some of the higher end controllers like Crestrons, the Control4 and AMX product lines and this stuff becomes critical.

I've done extensive work with the AMX SVSi products for A/V distribution and the networking is absolutely critical to performance.  Cisco networking solutions, bar none, do the best job of delivering HD quality over 1gig ethernet.  I've gotten to the point where I have HD video distribution through the house with these products on a small scale working in ways that really make the usefulness of IP networking fantastically utility in terms of A/V.  It's truly coming of age.

Use shielded cat-6.  Do your best to avoid using dumb switches anywhere.  If you must have separate switches in different locations, use "smart" or managed switches in each location.  Try to segment different systems in their own isolated vlans to avoid network congestion.  Use trunking (802.1Q) between your switches.  Only use PoE switches where you need it.  It can get noisy and hot.  

There is a line of compact Cisco switches that are absolutely ideal for this kind of A/V networking.  Check them out:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/campus-lan-switches-compact/index.html

They have models that provide PoE, can do VLAN segmentation and trunking, Routing, Broadcast and Multicast storm control, QoS and much more.  These guys offer the whole suite of enterprise level feature set of routing and switching in a small, fanless (no moving parts) chassis.  They are truly miraculous and there is no better option for a smart network switch in a full featured HiFi integrated system.

They can get hot so keep ventilation in mind.  There is a steep learning curve associated with Cisco networking.  QoS has a tendency to be an art form as much as it is technical, but it's the difference maker if you want to distribute a full HD stream to multiple screens from a single source.  

For my own system, my primary listening room is run by a Classe SSP-800 with a combo of Levinson powered L/C/R and (I've been informed they're considered vintage now) Acurus powered surrounds complimenting a beautiful Samsung 65".  We push source material from the main system to the other rooms with the AMX SVSi units and a share AppleTV library over Cisco networking.  These compact switches give me the network features to make it all work.  I won't lie, the remote end-points aren't always perfect but overall with enough tweaking and experimenting, I am one proud Papa!

Thanks for letting me bloviate!