Here’s my follow up to moving network switches around. Yesterday, I moved the SW-8 to the front end of the long ethernet cable run vs at the back end next to the Apple TV box. I saw no difference in the streaming TV picture with that move. I also connected the back channel ethernet cable and connected the EE8 (English Electric 8) to the LHY SW-8 switch. I am leaving my computer disconnected.
I hear an improvement in the sound with the EE8 carrying only the one connection in and the one connection out to my music server. It is a small improvement so if I had just the one switch I could live with that. I’m not saying two audio grade network switches are needed to isolate the stereo from everything else but it seems to help the switch from an audio perspective if it is not connected to several peripheral devices. And I’m sure the results will likely vary for different people and differing situations. I suspect disconnecting my computer from the network switch had the most influence.
To sum up, the EE8 originally had 4 outbound connections (Computer, Back channel, TV and Music Streamer) and one in from the router. And finally, I’d say that the EE8 sounds better to me than the SW-8. Again, not a big difference in sound.
The clarity and resolving power of my system now is remarkable. The downside to that is hearing in great detail flaws in recordings. For example, in just this past week I have come across three tracks with clipping microphones. The one crackled so badly it triggered anxiety in me. I played it back and confirmed it was the mic. First, the crackling is repeatable and second, the crackling noise was in the image on the sound stage- not directly at one speaker or the other as would be the case if a driver had distortion. It is a little unsettling hearing these clicks, pops, hum in cords and now even clipping mics. And this detail can be heard in streaming songs. So be careful what you wish for.
I also had my son with his young ears listen to a spinning CD, the same CD ripped to a FLAC on my music server and then the 44.1/16 streaming FLAC and finally, the high res version streaming. He didn’t know which was which. His conclusions mirrored my own. Spinning CD and local FLAC- no difference. Streaming 44.1/16- very close to the local FLAC. Hi res (96/24) sounded slightly better than the other three versions. My son said the bass was better, I agree but also noted a more airy soundstage. I want to say a bit more color or better, a richer sound overall. I’m using Roon/Rock with straight through PCM via USB to my DAC. My DAC double clocks the incoming USB. It also reclocks the AES coming in from my CD Transport.
Was thinking about upgrading my streamer but I’m inclined to stand on what I have. I think a great DAC goes a long way when complemented with a decent streamer and a good clean ethernet signal in. I would hope the higher end music servers can forgo the signal conditioning- ie. one could leave out audio grade network switches but if I were to spend big on a music streamer/server no point not having a good network switch.
Last comment is that both the SW-8 and the EE8 switches have internal Oven controlled clocks. Seems to make a difference and that is the most technical thing I know about these switches. Yes, I diagnosed the SW-8 with my multimeter and outside guidance- they told me what the voltages should be at various connection points and then I isolated the shorted circuit on my own. No big deal. The circuit boards are plug and play inside the SW-8. Very well built.
