Network Switches

Just going to update my network switch experience from my "post industrial" units!

One of the issues I had with my industrial setup was just that, it was industrial and looked it, meant to be locked away in cabinets and mounted on DIN rail and all hardwired, looks like crap out in the open.

So I acquired a D-Link non managed switch powered by a 5v switch mode walwart, looked better but the sq was a little duller imho.
Moved to a Welbourne 5v LPS with aftermarket PC (cannot find a brand name on that?) and oh yes, MUCH better than even the industrial setup.
Running a short 0.75m cat 7 cable from switch to Metrum Onyx DAC and running Roon core upstairs on a seperate Dell laptop which is also connected to main router by a 0.75m cat 7 cable.
The downstairs D-Link switch is connected to main router by a 75ft cat 7 cable.
These are just generic ebay sourced cables, no fancy brands.

Now the setup looks the part( basically hidden behind my TV) and sounds excellent imho.
Well worth the approx $300 cost.

For all I know, that review was "written" a year ago, when the EtherRegen was announced

Not really sure what that is supposed to mean or what you maybe implying?

I have to admit from the odd times I have perused that audioscience site they do appear to be overly obsessed with measurements with the conclusion being if they could not measure a difference then there simply cannot be a difference.

Which I think the vast majority here know to be untrue.

I was interested to see other members reactions to that review in particular though and if it had a any influence on your purchase or not of the Upton Audio product?

Can anybody comment on this rather damning review?
Not quarrelling with anybody but it seems very at odds with posted results.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/uptone-audio-etherregen-switch-review.102...

The rear of my old C.E.C CD transport still has an ATT glass fiber output.
Maybe I will get to use it someday soon!
What goes around, comes around...…..

I have compared streaming to my ripped cd files.
maybe my system is not resolving enough but I truly find it hard to detect a big difference, MAYBE on certain albums I can just detect a hint more digital glare or harshness to the streamed file compared to my local ripped file but its a tough call.

Thyname
Right now I do not, once I bought the EX8 I sold off all the equipment that this unit replaced, DAC, Headphone amp etc.
However I have tried the USB input from my iPad mini2 using Amazon UltraHd tracks and I have to admit that it sounded pretty darn good to say the iPad is streaming over my wifi network.
So yes I am of an open mind as obviously the EX8 trying to be a swiss army knife cannot hope to compete with more costly item specific units.

That EtherRegen does seem like something interesting if you have an RJ45 input in your DAC with a built-in Roon Ready Media Server in the DAC, such as a Lyngdorf 3400 integrated. If you used the Sonore USB based output products on this Integrated you would be wasting money by not using the built-in RJ45 streaming of the DAC.

Exactly why it is on my very interested list as my EX8 has just that input for streaming too.

Yes I did read that.
Which also says a lot about people’s expectations for this unit!
I can be patient... sometimes... lol

Thyname.

The etherregen was on my hit list.
Please update once you have evaluated it.
Thx

Yw David.
Of course now have to decide if I want to purchase them or look at other avenues.
i am sure I would get them at about 45% of retail but still a fair cost
Decisions!

I have been watching this thread since its inception as the subject matter is of great interest to myself as a possible upgrade.
Then it got a little out of hand but now seems to be on an even keel again and with Davids blessing feel I need to post this.

But first a bit of background to set the scene;
My "trade" is installing and commissioning huge multi million dollar high speed production packaging lines all over the USA.
These comprise of many individual complex pieces which are now all connected and communicated to/from by industrial Ethernet. This entails many I/o drops, repeaters and switches.
Obviously these have to be of the highest quality and robustness as we cannot afford any part of the system crashing, stopping, performing none approved actions etc as millions of dollars are at stake!
Nearly all of our electronics are Siemens.

Ok, so I started to think what if?
Just so happens I had an eight port switch and its matching 24v LPS in my "office" so time to test it out.
Now this was a quick down and dirty install as the LPS is mean to be hardwired inside cabinets fed by 460/120v transformers in the field so no power cord as such, ended up butchering a stock power cord to make it work for today.

So this setup replaced my el cheapo (sub $10) 4 port 5v USB power switch that then feeds direct into my Ayre EX8 super integrated from my modem/router. All Siemens cat 7 cabling by the way, don’t ask the source.... lol.

Well first up I streamed some ripped CD,s from my NAS and what did I hear?
Well nothing tbh. And by that I mean the absolute blackest midnight inky silence between notes I have ever heard, period!
It is not subtle at all.
I must have had more bass bloom/boom that I thought as now bass notes are so well delineated that it is almost like a new instrument has been thrown into the mix!
The texture of acoustic guitar for example is startling in its intensity.
This is obviously something I should have looked at LONG ago!
But I was a bit of a doubter that something so simple could be so big.
Now this gear is not audiophile ( whatever the heck that means anyway!), but it is of the highest industrial standard and cost to the consumer would be about $900 for the switch and LPS.
Now I just have to make up something a little bit better and neater for power and best place to locate it etc.

This I only got round to this morning so low listening hours for sure but that will change rapidly I can assure you!

But I am now a believer!