Sound quality differences in streamers

There is an alternative to the Switch X, and what I do. I provide a clean/audio only network segregated from my whole house network via modem>router with wifi disabled, on clean side this feeds NAS and server, on dirty or whole house side feeds another router with wifi enabled, this feeds whole house. All equipment on clean side powered via LPS. Switch X could be superior to this via isolation from the constant pinging a router gives and receives.

Quality of one's network also has audio quality repercussions, and to think that some don't believe servers, streamers, dacs don't make a difference! Just have to write that off to there are no known unknowns for some.

As for those with Roon, try a two computer or server to streamer setup. Server contains the Core, streamer contains the Endpoint. Roon specifically designed for this, keeping these functions discrete results in superior sound quality. Bottom line, streaming is a relatively fast moving technology, some people understand there are still many known unknowns, this the mother of invention.

@yyzsantabarbara i am sorry, I forgot to respond.  I had a customer who was without digital due to a product failure and I sold him my Klimax DSM sample and had to wait for a new one which took a while and is going to be on demo in customers homes for a couple weeks.  I have not had a chance.  At some point I will.  
 

What is interesting is I am not hearing much of a difference between server vs stream on Linn devices, I suspect due to the robust buffer that Linn needs for its Exakt system.  It will be interesting to see if optical does have an impact.  
 

I did get some swtitches and other devices (brands will remain unmentioned)  that I have tested prior to my oladra in the chain they have had no impact that I could perceive or they created issues that prevented testing. One device failed and others have caused network and connection issues. I have not found anything that works and makes a meaningful difference.    

@sns - I am curious how I might configure a clean/dirty side network.  My music server is hard-wired to the mesh router base unit and runs Roon Server (core) for three systems.  The streamer (Roon endpoint) in the main music system is hard wired from the same switch as the server but two other systems have streamer/endpoints that are wired to mesh satellite units on the same wi-fi as we use for television and computers.  Do you have any suggestions of how I could set up a clean/dirty side network?  If no, would the Switch X be beneficial for my set-up? Thanks

In any case, i hope you leave yourself open to the possibility that the digital source of a server or a streamer is as vital and primary to a sound system, as a pre, an amp and speakers are.

@kevn 

Sadly, I am going to have to disappoint you. I am open to the possibility that a streamer can make a difference in sound quality, however I doubt that "vital" accurately represents it, and "primary" it ain’t.

I realize this statement puts me in the company of men who own Naim gear. I am mortified, but what’s a person going to do.

You mention elsewhere that you are a trained architect (I’ve never met untrained ones), so I’m going to guess that you have some passing familiarity with how stuff gets built. Like, you prep and stabilize your site, pour your foundation, erect your walls, etc. Same goes for building an audio system; there is a process involved, and a rational way to go about it. Sane people don’t build their systems around streamers any more than you build your buildings around sliding closet doors.

I am not denying the importance of closet doors, mind you; just that there is a right place for everything. 

Next up: why would a streamer that merely transports ones and zeros make a difference in sound quality? Is devinplombier insane? Stay tuned

O P here. I appreciate but certainly didn’t except this many responses on a subject which has been hashed over before. Thanks. I was this close to ordering the Volumio RIVO+ plus outboard power supply but because I am initially planning on WiFi connection only I read the RIVO suffers connectivity wise. I’ve read that the Cambridge EXN100 is quite capable with great results via WiFi. Still reading, still researching, still thinking —