Daisychaining Ethernet switches


Having previously operated an LHYaudio switch followed by a 10m clocked Etherregen after a Draytek router I out of a whim added a humble Netgear GS 305E for not even $50 in the chain ahead of the LHYAudio switch. All Cabling is ONTI with a Xangsane braided silver ethernet cable between Etherregen and Server.

The effect was not subtle: major uplift in bass performance in tightness and definition, ‘being there’ spatiality and impulse rendition. I live in Central London and probably have more incoming crud on the cable, RMI and EFI than more remote locations. Given that I now daisy chain 3 switches and a router to achieve optimal results I cannot but wonder whether any of the individual component designers have fully understood the task at hand in providing an optimum ethernet audio signal to the server. So far as I can make out individual component tests become borderline meaningless. But then some would argue that bits are bits: So not!

antigrunge2

Many wall warts (SMPS) are well designed for audio and quite quiet.

 

Not sure this applies to the wall warts that come with your average $30 Ethernet switch!

Many wall warts (SMPS) are well designed for audio and quite quiet.

Lifeless can not be overcome with room treatment.

Thanks @erik_squires,

for simplicity I omitted two isolators (Pink Faun at server and EMO EN70 between Netgear and LHYAudio switch) I am also using a pair of  DX Engineering 150 high band filters. believe it or not, every item makes an audible difference.

I have tried Finistar fibre FMCs and while you get the same blackness, the presentation feels lifeless.

You may want to simlify by using Everstar Ethernet isolators.  I use them at the end of long runs and brefore switches to minimize chances of an induced surge.  In terms of noise they should be better than using switches as they lack a noisy wall wart to go with them.

 

https://amzn.to/468k5t4