Network Switches

Yes …. An audiophile grade high-end network switch made an audio performance upgrade ….But …incorporated into a full cradle-to-crave (network switch / cable / upgraded network switch power supply) upgrade approach.

MY EXPERIENCES :

this was a sequential step series as follows before max improvements were achieved.

(1) Choice of  Ethernet cables matter …. A lot. Think quality build / upgraded  top shielding / too TELEGARTNER connectors. I started out with cheap big-box store cables that were completely trash, and progressively moved up in a hands-on experimentation approach. I now have high-end Ethernet cables, just like analogue IC’s and analogue speaker cables. 

(2) I then watched the Hans Beekhuyzen YouTube videos that persuaded me to take the next step to insert a quality build audiophile network switch. ( for me …SILENT ANGEL) .There are other much more expensive options.

https://youtu.be/34MxeKeSo0o?si=P3Py5iagCrO_GJ-N

https://youtu.be/ZCFvIzzMqfk?si=Z_xTxFmX58TSZ8_S

(3) The standard included-in-the-box network switch power supply was a better than most wall wart, SO an upgrade was done to an external quality- build linear power supply . Again, it was only when this last step was instituted, did the audiophile network switch insertion audio upgrade flash out to its max .
For reasons beyond my pay grade to explain, now the insertion of an audiophile grade network switch / high-end external power supply improved the audio performance.compared to my system lacking that network switch.feature.
Who knew? Go figger.

(4) A final point that was comparably less in overall impact audio improvement, but still there. …..insert a  iFi LAN SILENCER. It added some further taming of that ethereal remaining last bits of digital “ edge “ or “ glare “ …..albeit on a much smaller scale then the other upgrade steps above,

https://youtu.be/zkLIN64u8lY

TAKEAWAY

The steps herein for audio digital streaming and network digital file playing upgrades were real, and not insignificant even in isolation. They were distinct and wholly welcomed as a system upgrade in MY system.

my personal opinion based on my personal systems.

Others may have different results .

I have four audio systems in my home ranging from about $3K to $50K. The comments above are drawn from my top “A” system with its top audio resolution capabilities.

Upgraded quality build Ethernet cables upgrades are a must in all, but the cost vs audio performance benefits for adding a high-end network switch + external high-end linear power supply were intuitively increasingly diminished or even largely “meh?’ going farther down thec rigs list . 

If you are new to digital I wouldn’t be messing with expensive switches.  Get used to what you have before considering spending significant amounts of money on what amounts to the slivers of walnuts placed on an ice cream sundae.

Would an upgraded switch have any sonic impact?

Unlikely, unless the current switch is defective.

Although sometimes we hear what we want to hear.

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. 

If there is more than 1 source/streaming device in the same room requiring an ethernet input, the case for the switch is even there.

Otherwise, I assume most everyone here does some optical decoupling (pair of FMCs or executed in similar fashion). 

For a single streamer in a room (which is all that most guys have)

Ethernet port on wall ----> [FMC---->optical cable --->FMC with lps]---->’good’ ethernet cable--->ifi silencer inserted into streamers port

No unnecessary switch needed in the chain

my personal opinion based on my personal systems.

Others may have different results .

I have four audio systems in my home ranging from