Best audiophile switch

[ConG2]

Hi, I use after my router a first modified switch with linear power suplly. Here is everythin connected, TV, computers,…
The second switch is simalar to the first one, but this one is only to seperate the music network. After this one there is the Paradin Switch. Here is my modified NAS (Music Server) and also my render connected.

 

[audiobomber]

Hi, I use after my router a first modified switch with linear power suplly. Here is everythin connected, TV, computers,…
The second switch is simalar to the first one, but this one is only to seperate the music network. After this one there is the Paradin Switch. Here is my modified NAS (Music Server) and also my render connected.

Do you have a fiber optic break? If yes, which SFP modules? I didn't find anything descriptive regarding Paradin.

 

[ConG2]

No, I have no SFPs left, I went back to copper. In former setups I used startec 40km SFPs. I had fiber optics between the first switch and a switch in another room where my Wifi is connected.

 

[jasond]

It does fail to mention the added benefits of adding and external clock to the EtherREGEN. With all of the things the ER offers, I have found that while the switch itself is great, the real beauty of this switch is the ability to add a superb clock.

Going from the internal clock to an Afterdark, then eventually to a Mutec Ref 10 SE 120 along with upgrading the cables and LPS's was transformative to just adding the switch itself. Easily a night and day difference in system quietness and performance.

Tom

The ER has been a great switch and opened the way for more audiophile development and other switches - really enjoyed it, also testing with a Sonore OM etc. Having the ER plus top power supply and clock and cables though adds up to a few thousand Euros.
In the meantime other switches provide much more advanced performance. To me the Network Acoustics Tempus is still the most special one.

 

[Davidny]

Another shout out for SwitchX

The Switch X

I was moving some equipment around and forgot that the SwitchX with the WiFI-X access point was out of my system. All I can say after reinserting it is “WOW”. Great product.

Another vote for Switch X and WiFi X.
Over the past 6 years I’ve tried many switches, external power supplies and cables (including Cisco, EtherRegen, Buffalo Technologies modded by Nenon with Pink Faun clock and Sean Jacobs DC4 ARC power supply). They all made a difference I could hear, some good, some not so good. But I found Switch X and WiFi X to be far superior. If you watch some of Chris Steven’s video’s at Dejitterit.com he is measuring and eliminating noise in the audio & video signal I don't see any other manufacturers discuss in a scientific manner.

And here’s a very good review by Gregg Weaver which just appeared last weekend

 

[kennyb123]

And here’s a very good review by Gregg Weaver which just appeared last weekend

Thanks for sharing that. I always wondered what modifications made to commercial switches can set them apart. Many of the modifications aim to tackle the same things, thus my interest was certainly piqued when Gregg mentioned “traffic management”. Fascinating.

I paused right after that so I will get back to it. Thanks!

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Another vote for Switch X and WiFi X.
Over the past 6 years I’ve tried many switches, external power supplies and cables (including Cisco, EtherRegen, Buffalo Technologies modded by Nenon with Pink Faun clock and Sean Jacobs DC4 ARC power supply). They all made a difference I could hear, some good, some not so good. But I found Switch X and WiFi X to be far superior. If you watch some of Chris Steven’s video’s at Dejitterit.com he is measuring and eliminating noise in the audio & video signal I don't see any other manufacturers discuss in a scientific manner.

And here’s a very good review by Gregg Weaver which just appeared last weekend

I keep WiFi out of my audio chain period.

 

[NigelB]

Hi, I use after my router a first modified switch with linear power suplly. Here is everythin connected, TV, computers,…
The second switch is simalar to the first one, but this one is only to seperate the music network. After this one there is the Paradin Switch. Here is my modified NAS (Music Server) and also my render connected.

What are your cable lengths and types please?

Router > modified switch?
Modified switch > second switch?
Second switch > Paradin switch?
Paradin switch > streamer?

 

[ConG2]

Router - Refine Audio 64 cm small Paradin insulator - 6m installation cable - modified switch - 64cm Refine Audio - second modified switch - 3m Refine - Paradin switch - 128cm Refine Audio - big Paradin insulator - 128cm Refine Audio - renderer

 

[NigelB]

Router - Refine Audio 64 cm small Paradin insulator - 6m installation cable - modified switch - 64cm Refine Audio - second modified switch - 3m Refine - Paradin switch - 128cm Refine Audio - big Paradin insulator - 128cm Refine Audio - renderer

Thanks. I'm not familiar with either of these brands.

1) Have you tried ending the chain with "big Paradin insulator - 128cm Refine Audio - Paradin switch - 128cm Refine Audio - renderer"? Better or worse?

2) Do you know if the Refine Audio cables are shielded? Metal plugs are a good sign but not conclusive. If shielded, do you know whether the shield is grounded at both ends? That's not usually a good idea on the last link into your streamer/renderer. If you have a multimeter, it's easy to test this.

 

[ConG2]

The insulator before the switch is not helpful. The Refine cables are not shielded but just connected on one side I think.
Grounding on both sides is reguallary no good idea. All Ethernet behind the first switch are just 100MBits.

 

[Brucemck2]

I keep WiFi out of my audio chain period.

You don’t have to use the WiFi to access the clean network … you can do that wired Ethernet too

 

[NigelB]

The insulator before the switch is not helpful.

Thanks for clarifying.

The Refine cables are not shielded but just connected on one side I think.

The conductors must be obviously connected at both ends for the cable to work. If there is something connected only at one end, it's probably a shield, and this is ok.

Grounding on both sides is reguallary no good idea.

From final switch (or final insulator) to the streamer, agreed.

All Ethernet behind the first switch are just 100MBits.

That's enough for music.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

You don’t have to use the WiFi to access the clean network … you can do that wired Ethernet too

Yes I know thank you.