"Audiophile Grade" Ethernet Switches - The new generation

[audio_engr]

@BoyScout   ... I wish to ADD 1 point. 

Earlier, I used to setup my streaming in a DIRECT hookup manner, i.e. ROUTER - - > NUCLEUS+ - - > DEVIALET. 

Although the Nucleus+ has only 1 Ethernet port, that port was dedicated to connect the Router. The Nucleus+ also has 2 x USB 3.0 ports. One of those ports was being used with a USB-to-Ethernet Adapter for connecting the Nucleus+ to Devialet. 

The Nucleus was setup in a manner that between the Server & Endpoint, it would use a "private IP address" with no Gateway or DNS. It was great and seldom gave issues incl RAAT issue esp. after selecting an USB-to-Ethernet adapter like the one from Apple that would limit it to 100M. But after the recent Roon 571 build update, it ran into severe problems so much so that I would lose streaming services (Tidal & Qobuz) almost after playing every single track. It would also get stuck halfway etc ... 

After having Roon Labs guys to intervene into my problems, they suggested that I hookup the system using a switch. I pulled out my trusted Netgear Gigabit switch, wired it up and once done, it was flawless. 

Now, ER has replaced that Netgear switch & taken me to pure nirvana !!

How is the EtherREGEN sound quality versus direct network cable?

                  
I will try and explain briefly the differences between :

DIRECT hookup  vs.  Gigabit SWITCHED hookup  vs.  EtherREGEN hookup


Direct :  There is an increase in immediacy of the sound, you start to see the performers more distinctly, the harmonic separation is quite distinct, the soundstage is wide and expansive but not proportionally deep. Also, the texture of the sound is so clean and it sounds "a bit lean". The sound is still very engaging and you tend to feel you are seated just a few rows from the stage of the performance. 

Gigabit Switched :  All that discussed above stays the same EXCEPT 
( 1 ) that leaness is now gone and the sound texture becomes more wholesome, slightly rounded
( 2 ) you feel you are now seated mid hall and more depth of the soundstage re-appears

EtherREGEN Switched :  The texture of the sound is much more wholesome, instruments are more blended well with each other that makes the overall presentation extremely cohesive yet beautifully defined. The soundstage width, depth & height is very true to real life, never over exaggerated yet not shrunk either. There is warmth in the playback in a very nice way. You still continue to feel seated mid hall and the hall ambience is now into you. The soundstage is quite 3-dimensional. The overall playback is extremely relaxed with no sharp edges of any sort even at higher listening levels thus enjoyment grows on you. You can listen for hours without hints of any strain. 

P.S. : I've just had the ER for 2 days now, continuously running and yet to cross the 100 hours mark. I am also using the stock supplied power supply and not a LPS. The ER is connected to my PS Audio regenerator though. It is warm to touch but the chassis temperature is stable. Nothing alarming - its just like a Class-A power amp's heatsink temperature.