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)
“I found, with several streamers, swapping Ethernet cables while the unit is on results in sound degradation.” That’s interesting, certainly not my experience with LAN cables swapping. I should attribute this to the fabulous cache feature in my Aurender. I know not to attempt swapping IC, speaker or USB while equipment is ON 🤣 |
Yes most likely caching helps with that. |
@lalitk how do you square these statements?
If your Aurender is reading from the cache, it is not using the Ethernet cable at all, so how would switching cables make a different? |
On my digital journey, I have found that sometimes just tweaks can make a notable difference in sound quality. Better digital cabling for the Ethernet as well as USB or S/PDIF makes a difference. Minimizing noise is also really important. Last year, I was listening to the differences between music stored on my music-server and streamed through the same device. The difference though subtle was obvious that the streamed music was not as micro-detailed and dynamic as the SAME album stored on the music-server. I installed an Uptone-Audio Ether-REGEN device and that brought the streamed music on par with the stored music. That Ethernet regenerator not only re-digitizes the signal, it minimized and isolates noise from the incoming signal. Even my fiance could tell the difference in the music and she's not as attuned to subtle changes as I am. The LHY switch referred to in some above comments is a really good device. An audiophile friend of mine has one and is impressed with the improved performance of the streamed music. As I've experienced in my continuing digital-audio journey, minimizing jitter, noise and use of precision clocks all have their place in improving sound quality and thusly enjoyment. |
