Review: DC power supplies for the AQVOX audio grade switch

MHT

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Aug 22, 2017
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I finally bought the Buffalo Switch and achieved a meaningful improvement by placing it between the server and my streamer - lower noise floor, more micro-details, deeper sound stage etc.
I figure some of this step-up is due to the integrity of the switch itself. A lot of this result must also be attributed to taking the router (Apple Time Capsule in my case) out of the musical chain.
 

Sablon Audio

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May 22, 2015
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Paul Hynes has recently brought out a new model called SR4 which uses the same regulator as his SR5 and SR7 models. It features user switchable voltage, which gives good flexibility for future use, and they are being built in batches of 10 each month. I have ordered one for delivery in early June to replace the ifi psu on my modem and there is some discussion about it on the CA thread linked below

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/38614-the-paul-hynes-sr4-psu/
 

Sablon Audio

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May 22, 2015
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My Hynes SR4 arrived earlier and is sounding very promising on the router after just 4 hours. I expect things will improve considerably by the weekend since it also has a fresh cable harness to burn in and will report back anon.
 

paul79

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Nov 2, 2014
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www.manymoonsaudio.com
My Hynes SR4 arrived earlier and is sounding very promising on the router after just 4 hours. I expect things will improve considerably by the weekend since it also has a fresh cable harness to burn in and will report back anon.

Thanks for sharing. Have you thought about trying one of the OXCO router options? Paul Pang offers one, and there is another company that I think is making the same thing in different chassis.
 

Sablon Audio

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Tbh I wasn’t even aware of such a thing! Will have a chat with my colleagues at SGM about the concept since we have a shared interest in optimising network installations.
 
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Iamrael

Member
Nov 3, 2017
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So what is the final consensus, or have we gotten there yet? Should we ditch our standard switch (powered by LPS) for something like the Aqvox?
 

paul79

Well-Known Member
Nov 2, 2014
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OK, USA
www.manymoonsaudio.com
Hard to say. I know a LPS absolutely improves performance of Routers/Switches, so it is not out of the realm of possibility that different or better routers and switches could improve sound. I do hear subtle differences between a Netgear or a Belkin for example, but it is not allot vs. what the linear supply does for them.
 

Sablon Audio

Industry Expert, VIP Donor
May 22, 2015
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My Hynes SR4 arrived earlier and is sounding very promising on the router after just 4 hours. I expect things will improve considerably by the weekend since it also has a fresh cable harness to burn in and will report back anon.

One week on, the SR4 is burning in nicely and is making a pleasing improvement in sound quality. You’d think I would be happy but no, I just spent the morning making a number of tweaks to it to drop the noise floor even further :rolleyes:
 

Iamrael

Member
Nov 3, 2017
87
4
8
One week on, the SR4 is burning in nicely and is making a pleasing improvement in sound quality. You’d think I would be happy but no, I just spent the morning making a number of tweaks to it to drop the noise floor even further :rolleyes:

Can you tell us what you did?
 

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