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Do I really need an " Audio Grade Network Switch "?

I think it's been a quite controversial topic for years, like what's the difference between normal network switch and an audio grade network switch, the price difference is certainly obvious though...
Anyway, I've done some researches, most audio reviewers say that under this " new digital streaming era " that an network switch is a must for an audio system, which is understandable for me, I mean because if I wanna play TIDAL or Qobuz or Spotify, I gotta use network so I can stream these online services, so yeah I get that if the network quality is good enough, it can possibly level up the music performance.

But anyhow, I'm new to this area, so I don't like to spend big bucks on my first purchase hahaha... there's a very wide range of the prices though, the top one is Ansuz Power Switch I think, the inner circuit and design look pretty sharp, and surely over my budget lol

So I'm choosing between Bonn N8 and SW-8, these two both got good reviews, and the prices seem so darn much friendly to me as I'm looking for an entry level switch now, do any of you have any insights to share?
or should I just go for the higher level ones?

Best,

preston8452
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

in a highly resolving system, managing digital noise through to the dac matters

a good switch (with a clean power supply) and other methods to minimize and purge noise in its various forms can be very helpful in making digital sound as smooth and natural as top flight analog

melm
1,081 posts
 

Following the suggestion of an industry professional in this area I’m using an inexpensive D-Link Ethernet switch together with an iFi Ultimate 5 volt power supply. The switch has a grounding screw which is grounded to my preamp.

Inserting this into the system made a very clear improvement in SQ. Could I have achieved much more by buying an $x00 audiophile switch (which may very well have a D-Link at its core)? I don’t really know.

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kingbarbuda
514 posts
 

I think it is best to consider your system as a system. I believe that a lot of things in a rig can benefit the whole system. So a good network switch can help your system if you stream and use Roon a lot. But you will need to have similar quality of cables and components before and after the switch to make the whole thing worthwhile. Plus there is power management and the other cables. Is it worthwhile to have an expensive switch when using, for instance, stock ethernet and power cables? I don’t think so. I believe in improving your system’s weakest point. 

mahler123
3,332 posts
 

Yes, you might need a better switch, not necessarily “Audiophile “.  My CA CXN 60 streamer wouldn’t recognize my NAS.  CA told to me to to change the switch, and that did the trick

rbstehno
1,442 posts
 

A music streamer doesn’t make sure the bits get to the dac, the network does that. Also, caching (not cashing) has no impact on the sound and in my opinion is a waste of an ssd. 
You can get a cheap music server and the bits would get to your destination (the dac) intact, no matter what you use, the network makes sure each data packet gets to its destination.

 

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