are NET Switches worth considering?

@fire_water 

I’m with you, when it comes to curating and playing local files, you don’t need an ultra high-end streamer. A well-implemented internal or external SSD does the job beautifully. I’m currently using the Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB connected directly via USB to my Merging Technologies Roon player, and it’s been seamless.

That said, one consistent limitation I’ve experienced with high-end streamers like Innuos and Aurender is their reliance on an active Ethernet network. In my experience, if your network goes down, control apps lose communication with the streamer, making operation essentially impossible during an outage.

Your best alternative would be buying a CD Transport with USB input. Check out Shanling, they make several CD transport that will allow you to play files without the need of Intranet. A small investment that will make a worthwhile backup to your streamer. 

@mclinnguy Right on with head to head comparison and decluttering my space. 

@lalitk It's funny how you mentioned Samsung T7 because i was looking at it as well as WD Red SN700 2TB with a Sabrent EC-SNVE. I often think about a CD transport, Shanling in fact and of course I was thinking about a turntable.  Truthfully I don't have any cds or vinyl lol so maybe at this point I should just think about a local curated hi-res playlist of local files of my very favorite albums.  

@lalitk I forgot to ask you.  Is there any SQ improvements with stored hi-res files vs streaming the same material? 

@fire_water 

Any audible differences are often tied to the provenance of the recording. With streaming platforms, the source of a given album or track isn’t always transparent, which can lead to wide swings in sound quality, from mediocre to exceptional.

With a personal library, you’re in control. Every album in my collection (over 600 DSD albums) has been carefully curated, with full awareness of its origin and mastering and that consistently translates into better SQ. I often tap into my library rather than relying on same material streamed through Qobuz. 

Another reason stored files can sometimes sound better is the simplicity of the signal path. With local playback, you eliminate network traffic altogether, no congestion and reduce exposure to potential EMI in the chain. Even though streaming delivers data error-free, a shorter, cleaner path can translate into a more relaxed presentation.

Always wanted to separate audio network from the regular LAN, finally bit the bullet and got it working. All copper cabling, nothing special, one $120 Router, EtherRegen, Lumin U1, Neo stream, Eversolo A8. The rest of the network can't access the audio network at all due to routing rules and config of a JCAT NIC in the Music Server. 

Access to the internet for updates is provided by the router which obtains access through the main router. No switches needed, other than the EtherRegen. Wifi is switched on to allow the remote to work for Audirvana. HQPlayer plays to the A8 as NAA, it all works.

The sound has made a very good, 'organic' improvement, can now hear drumsticks hitting cymbals first, rather than just the decay of the metal. Vocals are rock solid, take on great front to back depth, suspended in mid-air if you like.

Most of my components are not new by all means, well the A8 is, the rest are 10 years plus old, made a big difference to what I hear. Noise reduction as far as possible is the goal, noise will always be present when it comes to networking, it's lessening the impact with a smaller network to begin with.