Questions about Ethernet Cabling

“ I had to investigate this ethernet switch business for myself so I picked up 2 gigabit switches on Amazon, $14- 8 TP-Link TL-SG125, $176- Cisco cbs110-24T. My router is a TP AC1900 which has it’s own gigabit ports. Ethernet cable is Supra CAT8. Modem/router/switches all plug into a Monster HTS1600….end result after 2 days of listening. Absolutely nothing. Zero difference to my ears. ”

@jl1ny

I couldn’t help but ask you to clarify, what were you trying to accomplish with switches that are not optimized for streaming data for audio? My experience with a NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet switch - $26 with iFi SilentPower iPower2 wall wart resulted in actual sound degradation. The test was conducted with ENO filter w/EE8 switch vs ENO filter w/Netgear. The down line components were EMM Labs DA2 and Aurender N20.

Optimizing home network is only one part of the equation, the rest of the down line components must also be competent (resolving) enough to yield improvements made upstream.

@arafiq

1. I wouldn’t worry about replacing the long CAT6 cable inside the wall. I would focus on isolating the noise and using a good quality LAN cable like Supra CAT 8 between the wall plate and ENO switch. This cable is excellent for the money and does a great job in rejecting EMI / RFI interferences without robbing the SQ.

2. A ’audiophile’ graded Ethernet switch greatly impact the sound, just like your ENO filter. A cheap switch like TP Link or Netgear may yield minor improvements but it’s not going to meet your expectations. I say this based on my experience and our previous conversations. This is one of those areas where you need to try 2-3 switches and see which switch gives you the best sonic improvements and bang for your buck.

A Ethernet switch with a LPS along with a noise filtering device before your streaming player are ’must’ have accessories for a scintillating streaming experience. The good news is, you are half way there with ENO :-)

"First, check the instruction sheet that came with the ENO filter. It has specific guidance about network switches...where to install and how many."

Really...I chuckled when people have nothing useful to contribute or have no real experience 🤣

"The plan is as follows: Media Room In-wall socket >> CAT6 cable >> Cheap router >> ENO’s ethernet cable >> ENO filter >> ENO’s ethernet cable >> Innuos Zenith."

@arafiq

I am wondering the need for router in your media room? You’ve mentioned that long LAN cable running inside the wall is already being fed from the router in your study. If that’s the case, you do not need to add another cheap router unless you really meant to say a cheap Ethernet switch before ENO? 

@caglioti 

I'm not sure what you trying to accomplish but you may look into Google Mesh (pods). I have strategically installed 3 pods throughout my three story home and they work flawlessly. One of the pod can also serve as hard-wired connection to your music streamer. 

"So clearly, the second cheap switch thing didn’t work"

@arafiq

The simple explanation would be, cheap switches like the one you tried are not designed for audio applications. I would suggest that you save your money for a switch like Melco or Telegartner which offers much superior noise rejection and re-clocking of incoming data. I realize they are at much high price point but based on my experience, a switch like Melco or Telegartner also negates the need for a passive filters like ENO.

"USB is a compromised transmission format"

@antigrunge2

Great post! I mentioned this to @arafiq yesterday to steer clear from USB reclocker type of devices. Before you know it, you end up cluttering your space with multiple boxes for a minimal gain. I been there, done that. The Ethernet based DAC/Streamer or server is the way of future and it is already here. I realize these devices like Lumin, Bricasti and Merging Technologies are not inexpensive but by the time you add the cost of individual boxes like DAC, Streamer, external Re-clockers, USB and Power cables, switches, filters, LPS...you are right up there as far as cost not to mention redundant features you end up not utilizing.

Personally, I don’t like to clutter my space so I went with a Ethernet based DAC/Streamer and couldn’t be any happier.

"Audiophile switch with lps diminished sq in my setup"

It would be helpful to know which switch you have tried? The impact of above largely depends on what’s ahead in the chain. If you’re using a device that is not designed or optimized for audio application, you will not achieve desired results. It’s like putting a lipstick on a pig! You need to address noise filteration on both input and output data stream. Even then, you won’t eliminate 100% of the noise. General purpose laptops and Mac mini’s have no place in audio streaming if you’re remotely serious about streaming. I see folks goes to great lengths in eliminating noise on these type of devices and often come away disappointed.