Network Switches

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

“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.

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

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

@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.

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.

macdude

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

Why would that be?

@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. 

@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.

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.”

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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