@David A - Out of interest, what makes you think direct connection provides a slightly lower noise floor? If anything, I would have thought that a router (or a switch) would help to insulate the Devialet from the noise of the computer (NUC)? Or to put it another way, if you want to reduce noise, the last thing you want to do is attach a complex and electrically noisy NUC direct to a Devialet.
To be clear, I am not disputing that this method of connection can provide benefits to sound quality. There is an extensive thread on Audiophile Style (Computer Audiophile) that has covered this topic. Many people have posted about clear audible benefits from a direct ethernet connection, subjectively it does indeed appear to work. However, there appears to be no technical conclusion from anyone as to why this should be. Lots of speculation about clock phase noise, latency, and other theories, but nothing conclusive.
To be clear, I am not disputing that this method of connection can provide benefits to sound quality. There is an extensive thread on Audiophile Style (Computer Audiophile) that has covered this topic. Many people have posted about clear audible benefits from a direct ethernet connection, subjectively it does indeed appear to work. However, there appears to be no technical conclusion from anyone as to why this should be. Lots of speculation about clock phase noise, latency, and other theories, but nothing conclusive.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
