Why do I need a switch?

@curiousjim Proceed with caution.  You should research the technology at multiple difference sources before you spend a bunch of money.    

@12many 

Yep, what I just ordered cost around $70 and if it doesn’t make a difference to my ears, everything can be returned.

Interesting discussion @curiousjim. I presently am running two network switches in sequence between my CAT6 router and my Network Acoustics Eno Ethernet filter on the way to my server. The first switch is an inexpensive 5-port D-Link that is connected to an 8-port $200 commercial grade Cisco network switch by a $70 Audioquest cinnamon ethernet cable. Both switches have iFi iPower Elite SMPS’s that are plugged into my AQ Niagara power conditioner. Ideally the cleaner the signal you send to your DAC the better the music will sound in your system. RFI and EMI are the real enemies of internet music streaming IMO.

The simple test that I tried and convinced me of the efficacy of using a network switch was to first use an inexpensive switch between my router and my server. The $50 D-Link switch and a $20 L-Com ethernet cable were enough for me to notice that the music sounded less digitally harsh and smoother. Of course the amount of money you can spend on anything in streaming audio can get pretty outrageous. But you don’t have to go crazy to get positive results. I think it’s definitely worth a try.

I just got the Network Acoustic Muon Pro series Ethernet cable and filter.  It is an expensive Ethernet cable.  I am considering three switches.  Paul Pang, Ediscreation, and the new one that is due out in June from Network Acoustics.  These switches range in price from $1.8k - 4.4k.  

In the meantime, I have the D-link switch that I am inserting into my 2-channel system.  If I can hear an audible difference with the $50 D-Link then I will proceed to consider one of my three options above.  At this point, all I am out is $50 to try and experiment with.  I have Fiber and Cat 6 and I am electing to go back to Cat 6. If I do not hear any difference in SQ then I go without a switch at my Lucas Audio Music Server.  This to me is a very cheap test to try before investing any real money.  I have absolutely nothing to lose except $50.

I also just ordered a Teddypardo LPS that I am going to plug into my Netgear modem to my Araknis 310 and 210 router and switch for the whole house network that is in a separate area that feeds my theater room and two-channel room which are at different ends of the house. 

@tonywinga So what I hear you saying, based on your description, is that you have Wi-Fi signal level issues that were remedied by hardwiring. I always recommend hardwiring backhauls from Mesh network nodes to avoid those exact issues. 

The differences between cable specs are all about supporting longer distances, higher speeds, and reducing RF noise pickup through known methods. Cat 5, 5e, 6 (tighter twist, shielded, 6a (higher spec Cat 6), and 7 (change to Gigagate 45 connectors). 

Luckily audio is a very low bandwidth network load, with few if any commercial offerings requiring more than 5Mbits/Sec (24-bit 192 KHz), well within the capability of even Cat 5'S 100Mbits/Sec @ 100M. If you were having issues it was likely RF interference related that the higher spec cable shielded from better than what was used before.