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,
The above post describes what I discovered last night with an EtherRegen + SOnore OpticalRendu streaming into a Musetec 005 DAC. I am going to get a Sonore OpticalModule for my other system to stream with Sonore OpticalRendu that I also have on that system. The link above gets into the details of why I tried this.
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@sns okay, I have little understanding when it comes to some of this. When you say, "modifying server for two ethernet ports" and FMC; what exactly are you talking about? I have a 35-foot Bluejeans Cat6 that I drilled a hole to feed thru to basement and traverse length to front wall and back up directly into Node 2. |
To get two ports out of my server (exteme modded mac mini) I assigned/bridged thundebolt port as ethernet port, thunderbolt to ethernet conversion cable, instantly have two ethernet ports. On other servers you could do this with usb ports. Or off the shelf servers such as Antipodes and Sonicorbiter I9 which have two ethernet ports built in, I9 also has advantage of being optical out.
Ethernet direct out of server beneficial if running separate streamer/end point, in this case it bypasses switch or router, also useful for direct out to the FMC's, Optical conversion is best way to isolate streamer/dacs from network noise. I can just about guarantee the future will be all optical network solutions.
FMC is fiber media converter, this converts ethernet to optical, you can do this on cheap with FMC like TP link MC220 or you can go higher end with Sonore opticalrendu products.
For those wanting to learn more about streaming, audiophilestyle.com forum is the place to go.https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/ |
I suspect the real answer to the question is like every other question in high end audio: it depends. It depends on the quality of your streamer, router, modem, interconnects and downstream equipment. For me the answer is no, I needed no special networking equipment. I have a flagship streamer that takes care of any upstream issues and completely isolates the bit stream it releases to my DAC. But, probably other folks with other streamers are more effected by the packets and physical connection, You can probably put a lot of money in the network side and get much better sound out of a less expensive streamer… or visa versa. The effect on cables will depend on the equipment on both side. But one thing I have found for sure is streaming can perform as good or in many cases better than dedicated CD players and with the right equipment equal vinyl. How you get there will be different for everyone, but it is a very worthy pursuit. |
So both the Bonn N8 (which I own) and the SW-8 use customized TCXO clocks. Some report even better results using switches with OCXO clocks, like this one and this one. To your question, do you really need to spend the money for an "audio grade" network switch - not in my experience. Setting aside the technical reasons that the clock in the switch shouldn't make a difference when feeding a competent server, and also setting aside what it really means to have an "audio grade" switch (i.e., better clock, more expensive, what makes it "audio grade"?), I simply have not heard a difference. I run 45 feet of Ethernet cable from my router to my server. I have heard no improvement or difference between a bunch of stuff I have tried and compared such as:
There are things I am curious about trying such as the Intona Isolators, ENO Ethernet filter, and the DJM Electronics GigaFOILv4–INLINE Ethernet filter, but based on my experience I just cannot make myself spend the money when I cannot hear any problems with my current set-up - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. |
