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network switches and cables.

I’m considering upgrading my network cables and adding an audiophile switch for streaming music from the internet.  I may also consider adding a filter system like the Network Acoustics muon pro. I currently use an Innuos Pulsar streamer connected directly from my Comcast cable modem/router using Supra Cat 8 patch cable.  I have some questions for those who have incorporated these types of components into your digital front end.  Any and all help is greatly appreciated.  If you have tried something similar but don’t feel that these types of components are of benefit I would appreciate your experiences as well.  If however you are just a denier, I respect your opinion but please respect mine by refraining from posting demeaning comments.

Some of my questions are:

1. What are the best locations to place the filter and switch? I understand that the order from my router is router to switch to filter to streamer.  But what are the correct distances between the router, switch, filter and streamer? Equal distance? Switch placed closer to the router? Switch placed closer to the filter? Etc.?  Or it doesn’t matter? My modem/router is located in my listening room so I have the option to move the switch and filter around to the desired locations and purchase cable lengths to match.

2. Is the quality of Ethernet cable between each component of equal importance?  So for example is the Ethernet cable between router and switch as important as the Ethernet cable between the filter and streamer, etc?  If they are not of equal importance,  which connection is the more important? Or again, does it matter?

3.  Aside from the streamer and DAC, do the switch or filter/cables have the greater impact on streaming sound quality.

I ask the above questions in case finances do not allow for the purchase of all components at the same time.  I’d like to be sure that I at least purchase the more important components at the onset.

i have already posed the same questions to network acoustics and I’m awaiting their reply.  In the meantime, any help I can get from the forum will again be very much appreciated.

 

marco1
jazzman7
358 posts
 

@marco1

I have no personal experience with ethernet filters, so will not comment on them.

I have had very positive experiences with audiophile grade network switches; first with an English 8 switch purchased in 2021 which provided an easily heard  improvement in sound quality in my system; and then last year purchased an even more advanced switch, a Melco S100/2 to take advantage of its SFP capabilities.

In terms of placement, my recommendation is to place the switch just ahead of the streamer.  If employing both a filter and an audiophile switch, I'd place the filter between the switch and the streamer, with nothing else between them.

With respect to ethernet cables, I'd put your best cable between your switch and streamer. 

mgrif104
388 posts
 

I would echo @jazzman7 as I had a similar experience when I also started with an English Electric 8 switch. My experience with it was positive though the impact in my system at the time was less pronounced.

I’ve since upgraded most elements of that system and recently installed a Reiki super switch with an outboard LPS and its effect was immediate and far more beneficial.  A very worthwhile audition for anyone considering their digital hygiene. 

I also have a Network Acoustics Eno filter and I would say its impact is positive but nowhere near as significant. I may try going upstream there, too, with the Muon pro, but am satisfied with my results for now.

Similar to above, I have fiber coming into the house but use a Netgear Orbi mesh router. I have the Reiki switch out of the port of a node in the mesh, followed by the Eno filter into the streamer. I am using the Ethernet cable from Network Acoustics from the filter to streamer as it came as a system.

I haven’t heard the Melco but understand it’s very good. I had previously auditioned the Nordost Qnet switch and LPS. For me, the Reiki as a significant step up over the similarly priced Nordost unit.  I also seriously considered the similarly priced Network Acoustics Tempus switch but liked the Reiki approach and was able to purchase from a dealer because we hobbyists need them. 

My conclusion is the switch is more important than the filter though i can imagine others may feel differently. I would also note that while the English electric 8 switch is modestly priced in comparison, I would consider the Reiki the better value based on the results. 

I can’t speak to the impact of the Ethernet cables. 

Best,

Post removed 
sns
3,571 posts
 

I've been through much streaming equipment over around a decade, of the items mentioned by OP, the only one I take issue with is audiophile switch, resulted in diminished sound quality for me. My situation is modem and router in listening room, quality ethernet cable from router to streamer, have JCAT NetXE in my streamer  and fiber conversion after for ethernet optimization.  Switch becomes redundant with this setup, just adding another component and 2 ethernet cables, keeping streaming chain clean and shortest  length possible is the way to go. The other very important issue is clocking, this pays off in a more analog presentation.

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