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Do upgraded LAN cables/purifiers/switch box make a difference. What is recommended, if so?

Streamer / DAC is Orchard Audio PecanPi+ connected to a TP-Link SG105 switch with a slightly better than basic Ethernet cable. This in turn is connected to the wall  (with same quality Ethernet cable).

 

For completeness, the PecanPi+ is connected via XLR to Benchmark HPA4 -> Benchmark AHB2 (bridged-mono) driving Martin Logan ESL 9's.

 

Analog (Clearaudio Concept Turntable) was upgraded (Sumiko Blue Point 3 MC, Benz Micro Lukaschek PP1 phono with SBooster power supply). This improved sound TT sound quality.

 

Now I'm looking for tweaks to the digital chain to make a difference. FWIW the streaming sound quality is already great. Don't want to spend more than USD 750 on all tweaks. 

 

Would appreciate comments / recommendations.

johannm
squared80's avatar
squared80
317 posts
 

No, they don't make a difference. And purifiers are known to actually ADD noise.  Don't drink the snake oil that all these people are trying to shove down your throat. This isn't 1973 anymore.

mitch2
4,740 posts
 

Uh, we didn't have digital sources in 1973 wink

devinplombier
1,664 posts
 

Mitch2, that’s for sure.

But we had car magazines! Remember those small ads in the back, hawking snake oil like magic carburetors that would make everyman Joe’s Chevy Caprice go 80 mpg?

Actually it was 100 mpg if memory serves

You don’t see those anymore, but the spirit is alive and well in the 2025 hifi world 😄

kerrybh
679 posts
 

I tried an expensive “Audiophile” switch in my system, and couldn’t hear any difference at all. I was prepared to buy if I heard an improvement. Of course, other people have a different experience, I’m only reporting mine

gournard
34 posts
 

 couldn’t hear any difference at all. 

Did you have the switch as close as possible to your streamer and connected with an unshielded cable to break any conductivity path for EMI/RFI to enter your system?  It's this noise that finds its way to the analogue stage. Try keep length of cable to 2ft. or less. Even a cheap switch off Amazon can bring big gains. Costs very little to try:  Netgear GS305 + cable for under $20  

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