I think Ethernet is the most difficult thing to deal with when combined with a high end audio system. I like to make a few statements to start with
1. The ethernet system should be fed by the very best powersupplies
2. A noisy ethernet signal will make the sound quality decrease
3. A to stable and clean ethernet signal will make the sound quality decrease as well
4. Lesser ethernet devices will make it more easy to find the perfect balance
5. Ethernet cables quality is not that important in a high grade ethernet system
6. It's not possible to review an ethernet system before it's up and running for 48 hours
7. Realy stable clocks should be avoided (when the network is aready high grade)
I think these statements will cover the complete path to understanding. How to create the ultimate ethernet system.
In the past 3 years I addressed a problem with my system. I had dark sound and my system was not satisfying for the tiniest bit. I worked on it as a second job... almost 8 hours a day and it caused me many nights. Frustration levels reached the top of a mountain. In total I have tested literally more than 200 situations. Which made me conclude that the manufacturers were not able to set us on the right path yet. This actually is pretty logical, because they do not build equipment to create the ultimate network. They create equipment to deal with a noisy network.
The average audiophile probably will be aware that ethernet is an important aspect for the quality of streaming audio. When adding just a high grade switch, cable or a powersupply. Then most of the time this will help to get a better sound. When the sound is still better after 48 hours then I would say that your ethernet system is not on the edge of what is possible.
Is there some way to share a few scope images here? Or should I go to a forum group for this?
Well maybe some pictures can be added later. With my current network I can outperform my internal SSD with an internet stream. To do this I split my network in 2. The first part is from the internet connection directly to my PC's mainbord ethernet connection. And the second part is from the PC's Jcat Net Card XE directly to my streamer DAC. The internet fiber converter (WAN) is fed by a Farad Super 3 powersupply with a QSA fuse. The router is a semi professional one (without Wifi) from Draytek. In which I drilled a hole for an external DC connection. The Draytek is Fed by a 12V Farad Super 10. Then the second part, the Jcat is Fed by a Farad Super 10 as well. The Super 10's are switched in floating mode which means the DC side is floating from ground, but the external housing is connected with ground and also connected with the Router and the Jcat.
And now comes the fun part 🙂
The network is as simple as can be and fed by high grade power supplies. The sound of the audio system became dark in only 1 hour. So it seemed the signal is too clean and the crystals synchronized almost immediately. What I did then was, I added a spare switch to the network from which the only connection was to the router. I used the stock powersupply for the switch. The idea was to inject noise into the router, in other words to destabilize the routers crystal. Immediately the sound cleared up. After this I gave it a few hours and it seemed it was not enough yet. So I connected a computer to the switch and now the sound cleared up completely.
I think the result can be explained best with a metaphor. It was as if a high grade 8K television had almost no contrast at all, details were kept hidden. There was almost no backlight and the picture was dark. After I connected the switch to inject noise into the router the television reached Full HD immediately. After I connected the computer with the switch the television reached ultimate pictures and showed it is a true 8K television with mind blowing detail.
The best switch for the Job seemed to be A D'link DGS108. This switch measured the strongest crystal signal. Higher voltage then other switches. Higher voltage logically means higher noise.