Update on good Ethernet switch

Sure, it happens sometimes. It is probably due to breakdown somewhere along the data path. But the data when you finally receive it will still be bit perfect.

If this failure happens locally on a streamer/swtch then the streamer will simply not play the song!
 

As others have explained, TCP/IP is what it is.  But I love to read people rationalizing why they spent $$$$$ on Ethernet switches.

@fredrik222 IS spot on; An ethernet frame is in essence an envelope that carries the digital data; TCPIP is the transport protocol used to ensure that the envelopes arrive in an order to ensure constant reliable transmission of data.  The disassembly and reassembly of these packets is done at the transmitting station and the receiving station -- your source for your music and your streamer or DAC. This is where the digital music files get pushed into whatever converter you have for the playing of the reconstructed analog signal.  I would always agree to buy a known reliable Ethernet switch and decent cabling; most ethernet chipsets used in comms gear globally are made by a handful of manufacturers, Broadcomm and Intel to name a couple.  I'd spend more money on interconnects than spending a fortune of comme gear.

@dfbrent 

The other thing that is just as interesting, is people that haven’t heard a piece of equipment proceed to explain how it doesn’t make any difference

@tonywinga do you really think that was the best analogy? Our full understanding of the universe, which is currently beyond our comprehension since neither physics nor mathematics are complete and both are self referencing vs. a stack of protocol we humans designed and documented to exhaustion. 
 

any such comparison is just ridiculous.