Network Switches

Telegartner coming out with a ‘Premium’ switch dubbed as Platinum,

https://telegaertner.co.jp/product/audio_products/m12_switch_premum.html

Melco has up their game on the entry level switch by adding a robust power supply and new chassis, 

https://melco-audio.com/s10/?amp=1

QSA Modified Gold Version Audiophile Network Switch - $5,400

"QSA has performed another sonic miracle with their Gold 2.5 G network switch. If you've experienced The QSA Fuses, or AC adapters, The sonic effect of the switch is similar to the Silver and Gold level QSA products in terms of performance.

The Gold version has been treated with their proprietary processes, and materials. It appears to have more crystals used in treatment. The QSA Gold Switch adds one more process QSA calls DSRT (Digital Sound Removal Technology). The claim is removal of the unnatural sound that digital audio can so often impose on music when compared to analog sources."

Can't help being skeptical - it looks like any other switch, except it has glass beads glued to it and costs over half what I paid for my dac - just sayin'

Oh, and the marketing verbiage says exactly nothing - "sonic miracle" indeed!

Wait, there is more, a QSA modified QNAP WiFi router, 

https://www.tweekgeek.com/qsa-wifi-router/

QSA Silver and Gold version Network switches are here, 90 days return policy! 

https://www.tweekgeek.com/audiophile-network-switch-gold-version/

 

Taiko is now taking pre-orders on their much awaited network switch. The switch comes with 2SFP + ports, either RJ45 or Fiber. It appears Pre-order is only available for existing Taiko Extreme owners.

It appears Taiko prefers RJ45 over Fiber with their switch. 

“I also prefer RJ45 for the switch. The SFP fiber modules consume more power, more power = higher noise. Fiber isolation is irrelevant with this switch.”

 

@cleeds I won't speculate why, but in terms of musical enjoyment, I would agree 60% is about right.

The switch seems to remove all the digital harshness and nasties so that there is a lot less listener fatigue.

@macdude 

I don’t necessarily concur with ‘double the value part’ but a high quality Ethernet switch in an ultra resolution system definitely enhances the performance of a purpose built audio streamer or server. Its impact is easily audible and addictive. 

macdude

" ... your digital player system can only exert less than 60% of its performance without adding a network switch ... "

Why would that be?

I saw this testimonial on the totaldac for their switch:

"Many enthusiasts think that the sound of a digital player is not as good as a CD player. That's because your digital player system can only exert less than 60% of its performance without adding a network switch. There are two concepts for adding network switches. Of course, the prices of network switches are also very different, and the quality is uneven. There is no doubt that adding a network switch to a hifi network playback system, especially the advanced network switch can directly double the "value" of digital player products or even show the value of several times the machine itself"

I agree with this after adding my switch. It does get you a lot more performance from the dac/streamer.

@lalitk I don't like to disparage other products on here, but the other switch was above $2k. 

It was jaw dropping what it did for streaming, but it wasn't my cup of tea. 

Anyone who claims switches can't affect the sound, they just haven't had access to these switches in a high end setup. And I've read on here they are not even open to hearing it.

 

Srajan still holds that using his Apple iMac as the source betters any separate server up until you get into Taiko territory. Using the LHY, Audirvana, Singxer and better USB cables is about all you need. YMMV.

I don't stream so don't get all flamey.

All the best,
Nonoise

Srajan Ebaen / 6Moons finalized their short review of the LHY Audio SW-8 switch.

[Note: via the "lens" of Mr. Ebaen's chain.]

 

LHY Audio SW-8 Network Switch Review

“I have compared it to other much more expensive switches and I think most of these high end switches are way overpriced.”

@macdude

Would you please elaborate on your experience with other switches? I would love to hear what switches you’ve tried in your system. Agreed on passive grounding, I’m also using dedicated ground boxes for ethernet router and switch.

@david_ten "Since it hasn’t been brought up, consider GROUNDING the switch with a RJ45 terminated grounding cable."

I ground my cable modem/router one box with an entreq box with a RJ45 grounding cable.

I would never go back to streaming without it.

You can easily pull out the grounding cable after you've gotten used to the sound, to hear the difference.

@macdude   +1

 

Grimm and other designers have been able to get their switching power supply to perform well, but that's a custom design for their streamer.

@sns "Without switch, images and sound stage wonderfully dimensional and life sized. With added switch, while there was a minute increase in lowest level information, image outlines were drawn too precisely, still three dimensional but with cookie cutter edges, not lifelike at all."

Switches have their own sound signature that probably takes the listener time to adjust to.

The big advantage of adding an etherstream2 for me was the reduction in harshness. I have compared it to other much more expensive switches and I think most of these high end switches are way overpriced.

@tecknik I have never had an off the shelf switching power supply outperform a high quality LPS either.

But I want to try the Hypsos Ferrum, which combines both.

Grimm and other designers have been able to get their switching power supply to perform well, but that's a custom design for their streamer.

@alvin1118   Hi Alvin. You are welcome. And YES, it will be interesting to get Srajan Ebaen's take, given his self-stated aversion to streaming. : )

Another entrant. Review pending on 6Moons:

LHY Audio SW-8 Network Switch

Thanks David.

It'd be very interesting if Srajan @ 6moons changes his view on streaming after adding the LHY SW-8.

 

Alvin Chee

co-founder of Beatechnik 

@david_ten

Thanks for the info. I was looking forward to the review of SW-8 but after learning about reviewer pedestrian streaming setup, I honestly don’t care what he says. No wonder he’s sour on cloud based streaming in his main rig…LOL!

On another note, Melco has up their game on S10 Ethernet switch by introducing their own external power supply.
https://melco-audio.com/s10/

Another entrant. Review pending on 6Moons:

 

LHY Audio SW-8 Network Switch

 

“BTW, I am quite intrigued by your Manger S1 speakers, what made you decide to go with powered speakers over passive ones in Manger speaker line up? “

I feel powered speakers are the future. Stereophile rated A+ for the powered and B for the passive 🙊🙈🙉. I run Teo cables which I think are the best cables on the planet but their SC’s are very high $$$ so XLR is my go to wire.

 

I love the K50 but is there a must cheaper way with all these switches going on in this thread?

@glory Ok, don't like a very nicely reviewed Antipodes, so maybe you need to move into Wadax and Taiko Extreme territory. Otherwise issue is your dac, or something in rest of system.

“Is there a better way for digital playback…..

@glory

As you know better is subjective and any given component must gel (synergy) with rest of your system for one to say, I prefer the brand X better than brand Y. I found a component last year that not only simplified my digital streaming but also transcended my existing digital front end (EMM Labs DA2 / Aurender N20). I suggest you to look into Merging Technologies +player. It’s a DAC/Roon player/Preamp, all in one box. No external component needed to run a Roon core. All you need is one high quality LAN cable, which you already own.

BTW, I am quite intrigued by your Manger S1 speakers, what made you decide to go with powered speakers over passive ones in Manger speaker line up? 

 

An on purpose typo, $17.5K

 

Would like to know a formula that would outrun it so I could sell it

@glory 

I hope that is a typo since the K50 retails for $15K.

I assume you like it.  

Is there a better way for digital playback than my $100K Antipodes K50?
 

Running  Sablon Ethernet and XLR digital into Weiss 501.

I recently tried a black QSA fuse (£40) in the mains plug which feeds the LPS to my Bonn 8 Silent Angel router. I really was not expecting anything, having previously added a black fuse to the LPS which feeds my Roon server and heard no difference. The results with this black fuse in the bonn 8 power supply path are startling.

i would just clarify that i have 2 QSA yellow fuses and an orange synergistic in my other power cables so the big jump in SQ may be down to the fact it removed the last :) weak link in the system. 

I would encourage anyone with an "audiophile router" and linear power supply to try the QSA black fuse in the mains plug. Really i would encourage you to put black fuses in every power plug but starting with the router is likely to give you a significant uptick.

 

Looks like everyone involved with streaming trying to come up with their own version of ‘audiophile’ switches. 

Obviously because they do not work, and nobody buys them 😉

Looks like everyone involved with streaming trying to come up with their own version of ‘audiophile’ switches. 

Is this akin to when cable manufacturers coined the phrase a "loom" of cables, with the idea that all cables in a system should be from the same manufacturer? 

Nordost is bringing a Ethernet switch called QNET this spring, expected retail $3200.

https://www.nordost.com/qrt/qnet-network-switch.php

“Wow! The TotalDac switch is very expensive”

@thyname

It’s in-line with their rest of the components (streamer, DAC, PS) and another notch in the grand scheme of those going for ‘pyramid’ appearance.

What can I say, for some folks the idea of a audiophile switch can be quite contentious 😂…..I say keep them coming!

Wow! The TotalDac switch is very expensive. It makes the uptone EtherRegen look like a bargain.

 

Yes indeed Lalit, everyone is coming up with switches. Because nobody is buying such things as they do nothing? 😂🤦‍♂️🙄

@david_ten

Thanks for sharing. Looks like everyone involved with streaming trying to come up with their own version of ‘audiophile’ switches. Network Acoustics is also coming out with a Ethernet switch next month.

Another entrant. TotalDac Switch. News item from Mono and Stereo.

 

TotalDac Ethernet Switch

Jc51373 take your condescending attitude somewhere else.

https://antipodes.audio/antipodes-s60/

@tecknik 

 

You really didn't understand a word I said. Reread it again, and again and again. Until it sinks in. This isn't a competition...I have LPS and I have switch mode PS, depends on what you are powering. Again, reading comprehension is very important. 

Jc51373

I have never had a wal wart outperform a LPS in all my years in this hobby, If you have good for you but I know of no one in this hobby using wal warts either and that’s my experience I’m talking about unlike many when I post it’s based on first hand experience.

in your infinite wisdom share with me your first hand experience in this hobby with what equipment a wal wart performed better then a LPS 

@jc51373 I've heard of this as well, Antipodes S60 power supply addresses this issue.

@tecknik tecknik

And LPS and a wal wart (switching power supply) serve two difference purposes. You have no idea what you are talking about...There are times when a switching power supply is best because it's a faster power supply and the signal path benefits from it and and LPS would actually sound worse in this scenario. It's not about the the two competing, it's about what is appropriate for the job and given application. 

I'm curious if those with good experiences with switches are using LPS on router?  I don't want to speak for Rich, but we've been discussing networks on another forum, both Rich and rep. from IFI Audio state LPS on router competes favorably with audiophile switches at English Electric price level.

I just ordered a new sotm switch with internal clock to be powered by a Farad3 linear PSU and a Audioquest Tornado power cable...

I have no idea to what extent it will improve my sound....

@david_ten

Agreed, high quality DC cables are equally important in grand scheme of things. I am quite pleased with my JCAT LPS and DC cables powering my Telegartner M12 Ethernet switch.

+1 richtruss and david_ ten and there is no wall wart that can compete with a LPS 

@richtruss  Your finding and experience is really important and valid. I'm so glad you shared it. 

+1 to @lalitk  's concurrence with your assessment.

I'll add that choosing a well made DIY or purchased DC cable is just as important.

@richruss,

I concur with your assessment and importance of using a high quality power supply with Ethernet switch. Would you please share which network switch you’re using and any other filters in your setup?

With my network switch, I can easily hear the difference between two high quality PSU’s. So it’s not just the switch itself that changes the sound, but also the power supply powering the switch.