Ethernet connection for best sound quality

Thanx for the info.

If USB has a better SQ then I will.

WOW...  A LOT of information thrown out here.  I know that along my digital journey, I started out with a good laptop used as a music server using JRiver as the software to manage the music sent to a good USB DAC.  While the sound was really good and bettered my CD player at the time, it still was not a good match for sound quality as my analog set-up.  That all began to really change when I went from my laptop-based music server to an Innuos ZENith MKIII.  The music finally started sounding (well for lack of better words) "less digital".  And, music that I had loaded on the music server sounded better than streamed music through the same music server using QoBuz.  Researching further, I decided to try and improve the digital signal transmission first by purchasing the Innuos Phoenix USB Re-Clocker, which made a noticeable improvement in the micro-detail of the music.  I was able to finally use digital as my main source of pleasure listening.  Thinking further and more up-stream, my research led me to improving the Ethernet signal.  I purchased an Uptone-Audio EtherREGEN device and $-for-$, it was the most noticeable improvement in the sound than any other digital device I had added into the digital side of the system.  Background got quieter and micro-detail improved.  In essence, a more realistic portrayal of the music.  In my opinion, noise, poor clocking and jitter are the worst enemies of good digital playback and minimizing them with devices and cabling that can help minimize the effects of those is the path to take for improved digital sound.  Of course a really good DAC. CD transport or CD player, or streamer really help in that digital chain, however without really good clean jitter-free signals, those great components won't be able to perform to their utmost.  I wish you the best on your digital journey !  

Does the quality of the streamer really matter? Here's what I've found: I mostly listen to Qobuz these days. I started with an Auralic Aries ($1599), which sounded great. I eventually upgraded to an Innuos Zen MkIII ($3149) which sounded noticeably greater. If that upgrade made such a difference, I was curious what a further upgrade would sound like. So I recently received the new Innuos Pulsar ($6899), which is akin to a streamlined version of the top-of-the-line Statement. Whoa! Wide, holographic, enveloping, unambiguous soundstage with distinct individual voice and instrumental location and non-fatiguing sound (on good recordings) with remarkably well-controlled and extended bass. No placebo effect there!

Make sure you use a high quality ethernet cable as it does make a difference.  Also, connect your ethernet cable to an LAN iSilencer and you will be amazed.

@joes44 you have to take another look at your setup.
Start with the source - You need high quality material (Tidal or Qobuz).

A streamer - in your case a one box streamer/dac solution like the Bluesound Node (latest) will be great. You can hard wire it or use its wifi. People tend to underestimate the Node. It’s really much better than most people think.

Using computer as a streamer, I guess it’s fine when we’re talking it’s in a context of a low end set up but even then you’re better off with something like the purpose built unit such as Node.
Worry about cables later. When you graduate to a higher level setup you can start experimenting. Everything matters, and it all matters more the better your system gets.