Cisco 2960

I'm led to believe that daisy chaining is best avoided.      

I have no choice at the moment

Although there is nothing wrong with daisy chaining within reason, and switch to switch connectivity is part of good practice in larger setups, increasing the number of switches in a chain where there is no resilience is increasing the points of failure and ultimately affecting reliability.

If you want to try a Cisco catalyst switch such as the 2960, then have it closest to the audio network streamer such that it can make a potential difference

Thanks Simon, will do. Saw the Cisco switch in the Signals hifi cupboard, they got a bargain.....and a little help from your good self.