Any benefit of an ethernet switch

There could be a layout benefit or it could reduce data traffic at a critical point. If hifi is nowhere near the router then I'd say try one if nas or hdx/UServe is close to the nd5xs, otherwise don't bother. The addition of a small crap smps will offset any gain.

None at all. A switch may come in handy for operating multiple devices which cannot all be accommodated by the router but if you're not in that position you don't need one.

A switch is an essential item in my opinion, its dedicated to the task with nothing else to do. They are cheap as chips and as an added benefit your network keeps going for a while at least if your router needs rebooting/firmware update etc.

....also I do believe Naim recommend the use of a switch in any event...mainly for its ability to 'dedicate' a task.

A switch is actually on my to-do list....the next question then is;

Is a switch useful on a wireless connection?

Jason.

Naim recommendation is in the Fact list....I think!

What is a switch

serious question. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switch

The typical source for a Naim player is a UPnP server.  While you might run such a server on the laptop, it's best to put both the laptop and the player on your home network.  A direct connection is much less desirable. 

If you set this up as intended, the UPnP server is not controlled wirelessly, the ND5XS is.  Via nStream.  The server just does it thing without any control by the user needed to play music.

You are better off

Dave, actually your HH3 broadband router has a switch built in (the yellow ports on the back)  so there is no real benefit to get another switch (for simple domestic tasks like web, storage and streaming).

However there might be benefits for layout reasons, if your router is distant from your audio gear and your NAS, then putting a switch closer to the 'centre of gravity' of your applications means less cables everywhere.

Simon

Greg - simply a network switch allows devices to talk to each other on a network in a way maximising the capacity of that network - by allowing multiple devices to share the network at the same time.

A network hub allows devices to talk on a network too - but only one device can use the network at a time - not efficient other than for trivial networks - and largely superseded by switches now.

A network router connects networks together; that is in the context here - your local home network to the inter-network - or as we now refer to it as the internet.

David, ok sounds good - and also sounds like your wifi access point is on your router..

Simon