Why do I need a switch?


I just watched a few videos about audiophile switches and I don’t understand the need. Cable comes into my home and goes to a modem and then a NetGear Nighthawk router. I can run a CAT6 to my system or use the wireless. If you don’t need more ports, why add something else in the signal path?  On one  of the videos the guy was even talking about stacking several switches with jumpers and it made the sound even better. He supposedly bought bunch’s of switches at all ranges and really liked a NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS108Ev3) That costs $37 on Amaz.

Thanks in advance.

128x128curiousjim

Showing 1 response by rikkipuu

First, know I have fully gone to the Dark Side of internet switches.  I started with a Etherregen with a quality LPS, added a SOtM with a quality LPS switch then the English Electric with a quality LPS.  I clock the Etherregen and SOtM with a Mutec Ref10.  I have the ENO Ethernet filter and several SOtM cables with filters.

My experience is more is better. 

If you want to start slowly I would suggest the Eno Ethernet filter, you should hear an improvement and if not send it back and stop.  From there a quality switch will bring another level of betterness.  The switch is a sum of its parts but key parts are the clock and power supply.  An off the shelf switch is not going to have a decent clock so don’t try it and its power supply will be noisy.  An external LPS is going to lower noise and you should hear it.

There is a level of diminishing returns depending on the resolution and noise of your system.  I am all in with streaming.  I used to believe streaming (Qobuz) could never sound close to a CD or ripped CD.  Now I know otherwise.