Looking for a true upgrade in sound quality

You could try a different DAC.  Many people who actually understand networking are very skeptical of network tweaks.  Switches and network cables don’t have a sound, except silence when not working.

Why the name calling and assumptions?  I've used hundreds of network cables, dozens of switches and routers.  

What I said about streamers was that they weren't something to "match" with analog components as tone controls - i.e. to add warmth to a cold system type of thing, and that matching a DAC was the better bet to "mate" with that OP's gear, as that OP asked (different thread). 

This OP asked if there might be a sound improvement from using an outboard DAC versus what's built into his streamer.  I think there might be and would well prioritize that over questionable network tweaks. My suggestion is to focus budget on a core component like a DAC.  

They don’t have a sound. I did add more to my statement in a later post that explained that what I was referring to was that it is pointless to try to match to specific analog gear in the sense of "my system is cold, I need more warmth" like one might do when adding tubes to a system. The pure streamer won’t do that. A DAC might.

But I will stick with the bare statement here if you would like me to. That way you can have a bigger target for your ad hominem.

You may have others who agree here, but your statements are contrary to the knowledge of a massive majority of network engineers, physicists, and other scientists, etc. But what’s critical is simply that newbies understand that there is substantial disagreement with network tweaks, and more importantly that even if some believe in their effect, the priority is well below that of any core component in the system.

When someone is shopping for their first outboard DAC (my assumption) it makes sense to suggest good DACs...not an off the shelf switch that has been put in a platinum case with a linear power supply.

And I’ll repeat - I have used many switches, routers, and network cables. So please don’t tell me I don’t listen.

Edit/PS:  I am not an ASR guy.  I do believe components can have different sounds.  But I do not apply analog logic to the digital end.  It's just different.  But moreover I disagree with those who take a simple newbie question about DACs as an opportunity to go straight to network tweaks. 

Try Roon and see how that sounds.  

Agreed.  Roon is very good for tweaking sound because of its DSP capabilities.  However you have to have a fairly powerful server for some of the DSP, depending on what you want to do. 

Roon is also great because it allows for a thin, non-high powered endpoint (streamer) to be used such that any heavy processing is done on the server, which can be in another room, so no ambient noise and limits theoretical concerns about any electrical aspect of the streamer (if you buy into that).