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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
fredrik222
522 posts
 

@audphile1  sure, but if they bees don’t get that they are supposed to collect the sweet stuff to create honey, but want to have in-depth “discussion” on how you need the oil from deep in the earth, there is no point. 
 

to discuss any topic, you need a foundational level of knowledge at the very least, and most on this forum know absolutely nothing about how streaming actually works, but want to make it seem as if they do by throwing out terms like UDP and RTSP, or nano currents, because they read a debunked white paper by EtherRegen or watched a video regurgitating the same white paper by Hans B. 

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

You might notice that fredrik only shows up here on workdays to troll these forums.  He is an IT minion working in the back of a windowless room and obviously bored, knows nothing about audio and doesn’t care.  His pleasure is trolling and frustrating genuine lovers of audio and music.  

It was a nice Holiday break…

fredrik222
522 posts
 

@tonywinga at least I know something about a topic, 😂🤣, hence your constant personal attacks. 

jacobsdad2000
433 posts
 

@tonywinga that is factual. He is an angry lil fella too. 

mathiasmingus OP
52 posts
 

@lalitk et al, some partial empirical report-out as changes have occurred in my system: 

1. As noted earlier, I found LHY switch was a small negative on sound quality (as compared to no switch, if one can avoid the need).  I have not re-introduced it in the chain, but will test as you suggest.

2. ENO filter re-validated as a small improvement on sound quality.

3. Roon sounds worse than Manic Moose (native player, also known as Music Player Daemon or MPD) with Bryston BDP players.  There was another thread where people were debating whether Roon did or could have negative impact on SQ.  I hear some (at least as compared with BDP + Manic Moose combo, which may be a magic pairing).  This is streaming Tidal lossless, PCM and feeding Lampizator DAC.  Using Roon B Nucleus with an LHY LPS (LPS80VA). I was a Roon lover until I realized I would want MPD for critical listening...not sure I will want Roon for part-time use.  

5. I did get the Cat8 cable you recommended, and it is an impressive cable in the beefy connections and double shielding.  I like it...but have not yet compared it with the old Cat5 in the walls for SQ. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089N9HCSG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

6. BDP3 shipping will be delayed a bit; all the above is using BDP2 still.  

So still need to compare CAT cable and give the LHY switch another chance.  I also changed routers, which adds variability to whatever I thought I heard before (never realized Roon could be a negative on SQ before, but I wasn't looking for it either). 

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