Thank you Simon. I suspected that the FMCs might be injecting some gremlins into the mix. My Cisco 2960 (WS-C2960C-8TC-S) is arriving today and I’ll continue with my experimentation.
I will replace the FMCs with the 2960. First I’ll chain the 2960 off the inexpensive tp-link switch. Next I’ll take the tp-link switch out of the chain just use the 2960. I realized after purchasing the 2960 that this model is not a gigabit switch; whereas the inexpensive tp-link is gigabit. I’m not sure if that matters much for audio and I even recall reading on the forum that some listeners actually preferred fast internet over gigabit.
Two things are most surprising to me so far. That I can hear differences even listening via a Muso-2 and how quickly we can convince ourselves that our “tweaks” are improvements. My first reaction to the FMCs was less PRaT and a sort of veil over the music. Then, after a couple of hours, it became silky and less edgy. :>)
This is all so fascinating and the best part in doing these comparisons is that I it gives me one more reason the sit down and listen to my more of my favorite music.