Relationship between Ethernet Switch and SQ


This one will probably invite some withering mockery, but I will ask....

I only stream, and my streamer (Bryston BDP) is fed with an ethernet cable that runs back to my router.  Literally back to my router; there are enough output jacks on the router that I have a long run to the streamer and no ethernet switch in the chain (or the house system for that matter).   (There is an Eno filter right before the streamer).

I happen to OWN a nice LHY ethernet switch.  I am assuming that there is no reason to use it in this configuration, that is, assuming there are noisier switches, and less noisy switches, there is still no net benefit of adding any switch to this chain.  But maybe, just maybe, in the metaphysics of electrons that I do not understand, there is some reason why a nice switch prior to the streamer accomplishes something (in theory...I get that I can A/B test and try to fool myself whether I can hear a difference).  For the first person with a correct answer, I will mail a nice $600 switch to the address you specify! (JK)

mathiasmingus

Showing 8 responses by mclinnguy

 Why would we be concerned about noise along an ethernet cable.  Noise doesn't come into play until the signal's past the DAC?

To quote Hans Beekhuyzen: "But it does. It clearly does". 

Long before we could explain why the sky appears blue, we all observed it with our senses and agreed that it was blue, but we didn't know why. The funny part is usually when humans ask they are too young to understand the answer, and by the time many are old enough to understand the answer they don't care anymore. You know, that innate curiousity doesn't exist anymore. 

This is where we are at- many of us are agreeing that ethernet filters do make our kits sound better, therefore we conclude they must be absorbing and filtering out electrical noise. At some point we will be able to prove it and explain it to those who question it before observing the outcome using our senses. But for many we don't care about the reason, we just know that it does. And many probably wouldn't understand the answer anyway. 

What am I missing? 

A better soundstage, and a smoother, less digital, and more enjoyable sound. Yes, I am a recent believer. 

 

 

It's quite funny someone mentioned the word trolls, and someone else responded to it like someone called their name. 

When actual knowledge of network technology is unforgivably gauche in this discussion, the thread was never “uphill”…

Do I need to be a French trained sous chef to have an opinion on a great versus a mediocre tasting hollandaise sauce? 

 

 

You don’t know until you try it.  One thing is for sure, I will never listen to what some bratty IT kid has to say- thinks music is mp3 files.  

Especially one who is doing/saying everything he can to increase his Youtube revenue- I stopped the video when it got to the part plugging his sponsor. 

If you can’t prove to me that the tree actually fell, then you are delusional. Confirmation bias is very powerful, you know. We all know you wanted to hear that tree fall.