Best audiophile switch
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Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
Used to be for me, but to each their own. I would prefer less boxes and lower cost.
Well I think everyone wishes for lower cost on their HiFi components
Some vendors use two boxes as this provides an even better separation and thus performance. And also when there are upgrades like the MK2 power supply this makes the Tempus adapt to coming improvements more easily.
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
You sure are a homer for the Tempus.Well I think everyone wishes for lower cost on their HiFi components
Some vendors use two boxes as this provides an even better separation and thus performance. And also when there are upgrades like the MK2 power supply this makes the Tempus adapt to coming improvements more easily.
Well yeah, I thought the two boxes wouldn’t fit in the tv cabinet or so I thought but I just measured and they fit next to each other with 2,5 cm to spare.
@Superdad thanks for the valuable information about SFP UTP modules. So I guess the Taiko switch is out. Pity I found a second hand one
@RickyV Do you have dealers who can let you demo your shortlist? Or do you need to buy "blind" based purely on recommendations here and elsewhere?
Demo is obviously strongly preferable if at all possible; at dealer is better than nothing but ideal is in your own system at home so you really, really know what you're getting into and how it works with the rest of your system.
Demo is obviously strongly preferable if at all possible; at dealer is better than nothing but ideal is in your own system at home so you really, really know what you're getting into and how it works with the rest of your system.
According to Perplexity N1 vs Tempus:
The Network Acoustics tempus switch and the Xact N1 switch each offer a refined sonic presentation, but have distinct sound qualities that set them apart in high-end audio systems.[hifi-advice +2]
Xact N1 Switch Sound
The Xact N1 is described as highly neutral and natural, presenting audio with relaxed, articulate precision and a well-balanced, organic character. It is built around a custom-designed motherboard and features an obsessive focus on power integrity, which helps eliminate high-frequency noise and digital harshness from the sound. The overall result is a fatigue-free, clear, and detailed presentation—with a solid, focused, and robust sonic image, delivering deep soundstage, strong instrument separation, and a non-digital, analog-like flow. Compared with others, the N1 is considered tighter, crisper, and more “earthy,” excelling in bringing forth neutrality and transparency without artificial coloration.[bestofhighend +2]
Network Acoustics Tempus Switch Sound
The tempus switch is praised for its open, airy, and agile sound signature, offering a delicate and lyrical presentation that is emotionally involving and effortless. Its strength lies in removing more background “noise” than typical switches, which makes music sound cleaner and richer in subtle nuances, while maintaining an especially fluid and non-digital character. Compared to the N1, the tempus is recalled as having a lusher and more ethereal quality, with a strong sense of openness and a slightly more “luxurious” flow.[pursuitperfectsystem +2]
Direct Comparison
• The N1 is known for a tighter, more focused presentation and stronger articulation, with earthier and crisper attributes.[hifi-advice]
• The tempus, by contrast, leans toward a lusher and more ethereal sound, providing a more open and fluid feel.[hifi-advice]
• Both deliver a very “analog” and non-electronic sound that minimizes digital harshness, with the tempus being particularly praised for its emotional, lyrical qualities, and the N1 for its neutrality and robust definition.[hifi-advice]
• Personal preference for one or the other may depend on whether a more neutral, robust presentation (N1) or a lusher, more emotionally effusive sound (tempus) is desired.[hifi-advice]
Both are considered among the most refined network switches available for audiophile systems, with the choice largely reflecting individual taste regarding neutrality versus lushness in sonic character.[hifi-advice]
On a side note the after shipping to Europe the Tempus will cost 4900euro and the N1 will still cost 6000euro.
An other itch is will the N1 fit better to the S1 because they are tuned/made for each other. Or is that giving to much credit to the “sound of a switch” they basically both remove noise and jitter from the signal maybe both resulting in the same effect on the S1???
The Network Acoustics tempus switch and the Xact N1 switch each offer a refined sonic presentation, but have distinct sound qualities that set them apart in high-end audio systems.[hifi-advice +2]
Xact N1 Switch Sound
The Xact N1 is described as highly neutral and natural, presenting audio with relaxed, articulate precision and a well-balanced, organic character. It is built around a custom-designed motherboard and features an obsessive focus on power integrity, which helps eliminate high-frequency noise and digital harshness from the sound. The overall result is a fatigue-free, clear, and detailed presentation—with a solid, focused, and robust sonic image, delivering deep soundstage, strong instrument separation, and a non-digital, analog-like flow. Compared with others, the N1 is considered tighter, crisper, and more “earthy,” excelling in bringing forth neutrality and transparency without artificial coloration.[bestofhighend +2]
Network Acoustics Tempus Switch Sound
The tempus switch is praised for its open, airy, and agile sound signature, offering a delicate and lyrical presentation that is emotionally involving and effortless. Its strength lies in removing more background “noise” than typical switches, which makes music sound cleaner and richer in subtle nuances, while maintaining an especially fluid and non-digital character. Compared to the N1, the tempus is recalled as having a lusher and more ethereal quality, with a strong sense of openness and a slightly more “luxurious” flow.[pursuitperfectsystem +2]
Direct Comparison
• The N1 is known for a tighter, more focused presentation and stronger articulation, with earthier and crisper attributes.[hifi-advice]
• The tempus, by contrast, leans toward a lusher and more ethereal sound, providing a more open and fluid feel.[hifi-advice]
• Both deliver a very “analog” and non-electronic sound that minimizes digital harshness, with the tempus being particularly praised for its emotional, lyrical qualities, and the N1 for its neutrality and robust definition.[hifi-advice]
• Personal preference for one or the other may depend on whether a more neutral, robust presentation (N1) or a lusher, more emotionally effusive sound (tempus) is desired.[hifi-advice]
Both are considered among the most refined network switches available for audiophile systems, with the choice largely reflecting individual taste regarding neutrality versus lushness in sonic character.[hifi-advice]
On a side note the after shipping to Europe the Tempus will cost 4900euro and the N1 will still cost 6000euro.
An other itch is will the N1 fit better to the S1 because they are tuned/made for each other. Or is that giving to much credit to the “sound of a switch” they basically both remove noise and jitter from the signal maybe both resulting in the same effect on the S1???
Good question, I haven’t thought of that. Both sites don’t say anything on try before you buy.
@Superdad your V2 switch is still in the race but it would help in know when it will approximately be for sale, plus what it going to cost.
Back then with the V1 you were very open on your design choices with the V2 I guess you have chosen a different approach, understandable it cost you a lot of online time. Is there something you can say about it’s design?
Back then with the V1 you were very open on your design choices with the V2 I guess you have chosen a different approach, understandable it cost you a lot of online time. Is there something you can say about it’s design?
NA:
XACT: Since you already own the S1, I would be very surprised if they don’t let you try N1 for 30 days, which honestly is more the rule than the exception in my experience. And yes, ’N1 fit better to the S1 because they are tuned/made for each other’. It seems there could be a real 1 + 1 = 3 potential here.
It’s important to consider the reviewer’s reference setup, which obviously varies from one reviewer to another. The quoted comment makes sense in general, but the reviewer in question—whose opinion I greatly value—is not using either of the ’most refined switches’ mentioned (he uses Silent Angel Bonn NX switch with a Genesis GX clock because : ’If a visceral, robust, dynamically expressive, and, most of all, realistic sound is what you are after, the NX+GX combo truly delivers’. (that is, of course, in his own system at home as NigelB just mentioned here)
“Best” is so relative. You really need to listen for yourself (and to me it seems you can try both) because system context plays a huge role. If you insist on using fiber, or cascading switches, there might be a difference—but it’s something you should verify by listening in your own setup.
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Oh many thanks @Di-fi i missed that information I will ask Marcin and hopefully @Superdad offers something like that too. That would be a blast to test these switches but first still need to receive my new Ceramos speakers, took a little longer than anticipated as they are being built right now.
(will still take 1.5 months or so.)
(will still take 1.5 months or so.)
Well it's just performance that's getting me excited. I was once praising the EtherrRegen when it came on the market, and was among the very first to own one. Back then an incredible milestone and it's amazing to see how the industry evolves. What I like about NA since I came across their products is that they focus and design on digital streaming and their approach. So all in all, whoever brand is pushing the boundaries, we as users can be happy to see products getting better and better, more innovative and raising sound performance to an increasingly new level.
Hi Ricky:
Thanks for asking. We are still extremely open--probably to a fault and our own detriment--about our design choices and advanced circuit topology going into EtherREGEN Gen2. You can generally find the most up-to-date information in our forum over at AudiophileStyle.
We will still be the only switch in the world to pass an Ethernet signal over differential digital isolator chips and then through ultra-low-jitter (down in the femtosecond range) differential reclocking flip-flops (running at 250MHz in the original, and 1.25GHz in Gen2). And Gen2 has a host of other advancements as well--most of which we have discussed elsewhere.
What it still won't have is a fancy case and a high price (though tariffs on chips, PCB, and casework have been driving us nuts and are making the final price a moving target).
As for an expected date:
There is some recent good news. We got our latest subset test board working perfectly! The new main switch and the new PHY chip (which eventually will be feeding the Gigabit ‘B’ side port after the isolators and flip-flops) are talking to each other via SGMII. Finally! This is what has stalled us for nearly 18 months.
We have mapped out all the next steps—which should go smoothly. We have to run two more different test boards, but these will at last be of the unified design—with all elements that make an EtherREGEN special, but still with tons of test point headers and experimental features. Assuming those go well there will then be a small pre-production run of the final, enough for a beta test user pool, and after that massive production—provided I can obtain all the parts.
I am still hesitant to quote any month of production--and each test round described about will take 4-6 weeks. But at least now we can begin to timeline out this final phase and have firm belief that we will have a new generation EtherREGEN shipping in the first part of 2026
Whew--it has been a long road. But to be expected when one is breaking new ground and doing things that nobody else is attempting.
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Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
Are you nowhere near a local dealer? They are often your best option if possible. If not then check out their sales Ts and Cs as even though you might have to part with money, many manufacturers offer some sort of no-quibble (or at least low-quibble!) return period.
Hope this helps.
Nigel
(edit for transparency if reading on a mobile/cell which may not show signatures: of Reiki Audio)
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The EtherREGEN 2 and JS-4 power supply will be the ultimate value combo when it lands.
Hi Ricky:
Thanks for asking. We are still extremely open--probably to a fault and our own detriment--about our design choices and advanced circuit topology going into EtherREGEN Gen2. You can generally find the most up-to-date information in our forum over at AudiophileStyle.
We will still be the only switch in the world to pass an Ethernet signal over differential digital isolator chips and then through ultra-low-jitter (down in the femtosecond range) differential reclocking flip-flops (running at 250MHz in the original, and 1.25GHz in Gen2). And Gen2 has a host of other advancements as well--most of which we have discussed elsewhere.
What it still won't have is a fancy case and a high price (though tariffs on chips, PCB, and casework have been driving us nuts and are making the final price a moving target).
As for an expected date:
There is some recent good news. We got our latest subset test board working perfectly! The new main switch and the new PHY chip (which eventually will be feeding the Gigabit ‘B’ side port after the isolators and flip-flops) are talking to each other via SGMII. Finally! This is what has stalled us for nearly 18 months.
We have mapped out all the next steps—which should go smoothly. We have to run two more different test boards, but these will at last be of the unified design—with all elements that make an EtherREGEN special, but still with tons of test point headers and experimental features. Assuming those go well there will then be a small pre-production run of the final, enough for a beta test user pool, and after that massive production—provided I can obtain all the parts.
I am still hesitant to quote any month of production--and each test round described about will take 4-6 weeks. But at least now we can begin to timeline out this final phase and have firm belief that we will have a new generation EtherREGEN shipping in the first part of 2026
Whew--it has been a long road. But to be expected when one is breaking new ground and doing things that nobody else is attempting.
Thanks for all the info I will check out the etherregen thread on AS.
Do you think it will run as warm as v1?
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
Agreed and I am patiently waiting its arrival. Would love to be a beta tester.
To much warmth in a closed tv cabinet, the S1 is also warm but not as much as the ER.
How warm does your Tempus get?
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