Cleeds is correct, bits are bits if you have a decent switch. IMO, even a $600 reconfigured Netgear or Cisco “audio grade” switch is a waste of money - no meaningful value added. I’ve just listened to different switches and spoke with too many network engineers to convince me otherwise. If you are trying to increase the speed and reliability of your home network, you have a variety of options. However, with your current system, it is highly unlikely you will hear any improvements in SQ. I’m sure others may disagree. Happy listening and Merry Christmas
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)