Network Switches

“If you want to eliminate any noise into your streamer or dac, convert the Ethernet to fiber then back to Ethernet at the streamer/dac.”

@rbstehno , @deep_333 and anybody else who knows,  I’ve been thinking about trying this, as an empirical experiment. In my case, I’ve got a cable modem capable of 2.5Gb speed, but my ISP tops out at 1.3Gb, going into an eero 7 which then connects to a standard unmanaged ZYXEL switch, which itself is connected only to a Roon Nucleus One and my streamer/dac (all integrated into my NAD M33), which has an iFi silencer in its port.

So, as i don't have or need 10Gb capability, do i need anything beyond 2 media converters and a length of 1000 BASE-LX or SX fiber cable?  And is LX (single mode) necessary —or better - when the run will be less than 1 meter?   Assuming SX is fine, do these converters fit the bill?

https://www.cablesandkits.com/cabling/fiber/media-converters/mcmmsc-1gb/pro-4528/

Anybody have recommendations for fiber?

will this do the trick?

https://www.cablesandkits.com/mc/om3-lc-lc/fam-531/fp-3818/

thanks!

Following discussions like this is the reason I have stuck with my CD transport and not gone into streaming yet. Just don't have it in me to tackle another audio project after having gone through all the somewhat simpler considerations that were bought to bear on setting up the system I have arrived at after years of fiddling.

I agree with antigrunge2 about the etherRegen (eR) between a standard switch and the streamer. After doing this, I added another eR in series. Now my network: standard switch thru cat6 to eR thru fiber optic to another eR through my best cat6 cable into streamer (an HQPlayer NAA in my case). The SMPS that comes with eR is good. A linear PS can make an additional, subtle, improvement.

Without the eR in the chain, a linear power supply on the std switch made a big difference. With the eR in place this improvement is subtle.

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
 

Agree with @sns as a good first step prior to diving into FMCs and switches.

My advice is that switches upstream don't matter.  Bad power supplies do.  

Keep your networking power supplies (i.e. wall warts) off your clean power area.  Use a separate conditioner if you need to, and consider using iFi power supplies for them if they are near your audio. 

Also agree with @erik_squires as which tracks with SNS’ prior comment.

Personally, I was skeptical of FMCs until I had a positive experience with SGC FMC bundle to avoid compatibility issues when starting out. I’ve since progressed to a better FMC and more LPS throughout. Bringing it back full circle, I was surprised how much of an impact an LPS had on my generic switch, usage of iFi LAN iSilencer on other accessories, and separate power conditioner. 

Nonetheless, I was just as skeptical as some in this thread, but experience can offer positive surprises for those that are willing to experiment - not always, but sometimes.

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.