Network Switches

These modified switches not worthwhile, get all switch mode power supplies out of streaming chain, better cables, network filters, etc, all are better investments.

My issue with switches for anything other than convenience is its simply not accomplishing much. So you have this noisy modem and router upstream of switch, the audiophile switch there to isolate downstream components from that noise. Ok, I get that, the issue is the streaming chain has already been contaminated from the noisy modem and router, you're only treating the symptoms vs the disease with the switch. A much better route is to treat noise at the source, Broadcom chipset vs Intel chipset in modem, disable wifi on router, emi-rfi contamination, power both via lps. Beyond this get rid of router altogether vs something like Dejitter Switch X, this a switch with capability to assign IP address so wifi can be offloaded to second router with wifi enabled to service rest of house. So now you have a 'clean' or audio only network in house, simple and clean setup. And for those who don't believe networks have any sonic impact, you're welcome to your viewpoint, but this not the case.

In any case, the above optimizations come only after first addressing streamer and dac, this for very mature, high resolution streaming chains and audio systems. Many other more important things to address before adding some fancy switch. 

Fiber conversion also comes in various qualities, I've been through generic, moved up to Sonore OpticalModule and OpticalRendu. Using AfterDark Clay X Fiber cables with Finisar 1475 transceivers. So, fiber conversion quality can extend from cheap generic to Sonore equipment, and then we have power supplies to these devices to think about, DC cables and transceivers also make a sonic difference

What dac interface to use also a consideration, usb should not and is not the de facto best. I've found I2S superior to even quality usb implementation in three different dacs, one of those dacs having one of the best usb implementations I've come across. Whatever interface is chosen, optimal implementation always key.

Bottom line on streaming is, sound quality can be incredibly variable, took 10 years of experimentation with every single facet of the streaming chain to complete my setup. First thing to attend to in any streaming chain is dac and streamer, all these other optimizations are marginal gains vs having top quality dac and streamer. So first place to spend money is dac and streamer, I'd never spend $1500 or even $500 on some audiophile switch with a $10k dac, let alone much less expensive dac. The Sonore OpticalRendu is a really good investment for reasonable money, you get fiber conversion, optimization of usb interface and  streamer capability via Roon Endpoint in one package. This is first place I'd spend my money if trying to improve a middling streaming setup. Adding some fancy switch is money poorly spent in comparison to this. 

Finally, not saying all audiophile switches of no value, I'm considering replacing my audio or 'clean' network router with a managed switch, specifically the Dejitter Swtich X. Now I would suggest even a generic managed switch could be a nice upgrade for many. With the managed switches you have the ability to assign IP addresses along with all the same features of all switches. The managed switch  replaces the router entirely, the single noisiest component in streaming chain, this due to EMI-RFI contamination, self generated noise, network congestion. Using the managed switch one assigns IP address to a whole house router, your run LAN cable to whole house router, voila, no more RFI contamination, less self generated noise and network congestion. The Dejitter swtich is simply a highly modified managed switch, the advantages of this switch are manifestly clear based on my research. 

I'm not one to say switches don't affect sonics, but just like this entire thread shows results highly variable. I've tried both generic and a $1500 audiophile switch, both changed the sound and not for the better. The various filters I've tried over the years are more effective, yet they may also change the sound quality in ways not appreciated, again we see this in this thread. Bottom line there is not a single best way or network component that will be best for everyone. 

My streaming chain is so entirely unique that specific recommendations are difficult, most of my knowledge comes from the 'experts' over at audiophilestyle forum. Based on that and my own experience, no wifi on audio network, every hard wired cable short as possible, this includes modem and router, this means ISP feed in listening room, clocking extremely important this includes network, so network devices like switches/filters should have quality clocks and power supplies to those clocks, filters are effective, optical is nice, quality of all cables makes a difference, this includes all DC and AC cables, quality dedicated and conditioned AC for all streaming components. So that's just for the network, a high quality dac, streamer and audio system is by far the priority, this all icing on the cake. Good test for quality streaming setup is stream sound quality should equal cd rips on local network or cd player/transport, I have over 3k rips to compare with.

@rikkipuu The difference between a router and switch is the router can assign IP addresses, common switches don't. A managed switch does have the ability to assign IP addresses, so managed switch can replace a router. Since regular switches don't one must keep router in streaming chain, switch is added after router, generally the advantage of the switch is to isolate streaming chain from the whole house router, router continues to serve the whole house system. I also see switches added in setups where router located far from the audio system, long LAN cable to switch, switch located near audio system so shorter, audiophile LAN cable serves audio system. Some switches also have optical capability, same with routers, this may be an advantage as well.

For those naysayers who claim switches can't make a sonic difference its the same old story. Man, I've heard the same thing about myriad things, probably every single component in one's system. Theoreticals don't impress me, empirical evidence matters much more for me, relatively large numbers of people in concurrence is my gold standard for trying something. 

Switches are one of those rare components that invites great variability as to benefits. I maintain this due to the fact they accomplish so little, specifically designed LAN filters are better filters/isolators. What else does a switch add other than convenience, someplace to connect streaming audio components to a home network where router placement far from audio system? You're home network already compromised by a crappy noisy router, long cheap LAN cable run from router to switch, most likely running router via noisy SMPS off whole house AC. All the mitigation efforts applied post crap router are only band aids, the damage already done. 

My question is while it seems many concur that the home network has sonic impacts in the sense they find LAN filters and optical conversions to be effective, why is it people don't reconsider the router? Seems to me the routers, being at the headwaters of entire streaming chain needs attention. The Dejitter Switch X is the first I know of to offer an audiophile solution to this. I suspect we'll see more of these types of devices coming if and when the positive reviews continue to roll in.