Network Switches

Mswale-I agree with you. I was doing enterprise networks in 1990, doing token ring, Ethernet, and AppleTalk. I learned and mastered the Network General’s Sniffer where I could look at what was going on in each network. I could see the whole IP packet with all the associated metadata. 

When somebody tells you they modified the structure of an IP packet, that’s BS. If you do this nothing will work. When dealing with data, the standard mtu is 1500 bytes. When I was streaming large database data, I was using jumbo frames which increased efficiency in a WAN environment. If I was doing 4K streaming I would try using jumbo packets, but for music, the standard mtu is fine.

1 more thing, there is nothing to a switch, it forwards packets to a destination which can be another switch, router, or a device. Do a trace route to see how many hops you go thru getting to tidal/qobuz/google.

All the work happens on both ends of the route, not the switch itself. My switch is more of an enterprise switch where it doesn’t use a wall wart, and I’m using a few hundred $$ power cable into the switch

I also agree with the poster that i2s is the best interface. My streamers job is to change the signal path from Ethernet coming in to i2s going out.

Apologies FOR not reading all of the responses (arguments).  A good network switch, placed before your streamer, IMHO, makes a considerable improvement in digital sound.  Those that refute this, IMHO, either have not heard it, can not hear it, or do not want to believe it.  As said, a $500 unit (I have had both Ether Regen and EE Bonn 8, makes a modest improvement.  A unit like the Network Acoustics Switch, the Telegartner (JCAT), or the GTT DeJitterit, makes a significant improvement.  I have tried all three and own both the GTT and the JCAT Gold.  Ignore naysayers if you want the best sound.  Buy a switch you can return to try.  NA makes this easy.  Also power supplies do really matter, and any good switch needs  a good LPS.  Additionally, the last network cable entering your steamer matters.  Try a good one, or even better, use a Network Acoustics Muon or Eno Ethernet filter between your switch and steamer, which includes a great streaming cable.  

Synergistic Research has one of the best Ethernet hubs and cables. Good independent reviews online. Can buy used around 2K. If you are streaming a lot and have a good system, it is well worth it.

“what is the effe - 01”
@rivinyl 

Both ENO and effe -01 offers 30 days money back guarantee. If we’re in your shoes, i would order both and compare them side by side. That’s the only way to know for sure that these devices offers any audible benefits in your system. 

I am quite impressed with the extent of responses my question has stimulated.  Drilling down a bit it looks like perhaps an optical power isolator may be the most cost efficient way to go.  Again, in my analogue brain it looks like the iFi Silent Power 2 is a similar device, in theory, to the effe isolator.  Any chance anyone has had a experience with both?

Also, a respected dealer/ friend who used to sell Network Acoustics products found them to compress dynamics in his system.  As much as he enjoyed working with them he ultimately stopped carrying their products.  Has anyone had a similar experience?