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.

 

[Di-fi]

XACT N1 Network Switch

Most “audiophile-grade” network switches available today are based on standard, off-the-shelf motherboards intended for office or general IT use. The XACT N1 is built around a 100% custom-designed motherboard, developed exclusively for one purpose: to deliver the purest, most natural sound over...

www.hifi-advice.com

Really enjoyed this review. Christiaan did what he does best – lots of comparisons across different setups, including multiple streamers (MU-1 & Oladra) and both audiophile and standard switches. The consistent takeaway was how much the XACT N1’s isolated port ( separate power supply and an independent ground connection) elevates the sound: more focus, energy, and neutrality without harshness delivering a natural and laid-back sonic character without losing precision or impact. (That’s just my reading – please check out the whole review to really understand the N1’s potential for your setup.)

Unfortunately he did not test the SFP port directly linked to the router, allowing you to bypass the noisy Ethernet switch section. Interesting feature : “The N1’s main processor powers off 15 seconds after startup to minimize electrical noise. After the processor shuts down, all configuration functions, including isolated port speed negotiation, are disabled to optimize audio performance.” Also a 100% custom-designed motherboard, a clock and a LPS with three separate, galvanically isolated voltage rails to power the main switch circuit, the system clock, and the isolated output.

Christiaan writes: “On balance, I consider the N1 to be more neutral and certainly more natural.(…) “The Silent Angel combo [ Silent Angel Bonn NX Switch and Genesis GX Clock are Christiaan’s favorite — difi] still sounds more impactful and propulsive, but, as mentioned, this is accompanied by a thicker-than-neutral bass and lower midrange.”

Also cool to see him test different footers under the N1 – one of Christiaan’s ongoing fetishes – and document how mechanical support subtly shifts the presentation. Overall, a thorough, well‑done review.

- - -

(from my post in the thread 'Why We Built the XACT N1 – A No-Compromise Network Switch for Audiophiles')

 

[matthias]

XACT N1 Network Switch

Most “audiophile-grade” network switches available today are based on standard, off-the-shelf motherboards intended for office or general IT use. The XACT N1 is built around a 100% custom-designed motherboard, developed exclusively for one purpose: to deliver the purest, most natural sound over...

www.hifi-advice.com

Interesting what he wrote in the context of the Aqua LinQ:

"Now, let’s see how the Aqua LinQ network endpoint responds, connected to the N1’s Isolated Port. As its source, I used the Antipodes Oladra server, running MinimServer for UPnP, connected to the N1’s standard RJ45 port 4. Unlike Grimm, Aqua has taken measures to condition the network signal by implementing a custom-developed LAN switch. As I found during its review at the time, the LinQ is indeed less susceptible to network influences. However, as I quickly found, it is not immune. The LinQ may respond a little less strongly, but you can still very clearly hear the influence of the network switch. The N1 brings a gentler balance to the LinQ with more effortless fluidity, air, and flow, while taking very little away in terms of slam."

I would not want a switch taking away even very little in terms of slam.

 

[OrigTweaker]

Another vote for Switch X and WiFi X.
…
And here’s a very good review by Gregg Weaver which just appeared last weekend

Gregg, in turn, refers to an illuminating piece in Positive Feedback:

Dejitter it Switch X - Positive Feedback

Dejitter it Switch X networking

positive-feedback.com

Required reading for the bits-are-bits objectivists.

 

[Di-fi]

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

Momento - PARADIN

www.paradin-audio.com

Paradin Momento switch:

• Ultra Low Phase Noise OCXO
• 10-layer high-frequency PCB
• Pure silver LAN transformers custom-made by Paradin®
• Discrete low-noise voltage regulators
• Discrete low-noise voltage reference
• 4 ports – 10 / 100 Mbit/s
• P-PFC for extremely low mains distortion
• Linear power supply

- - -

Refine audio - reproduction at it's finest

Refine audio - manufacturer of finest high end cables

www.refine-audio.com

 

[Di-fi]

I would not want a switch taking away even very little in terms of slam

Then the N1 might not be the best fit for you (aside from the budget factor, of course). From what I understand, its strength is more in delivering a natural and laid‑back sonic character without losing precision or impact, leaning toward a gentler balance rather than slam and energy.

Of course, that raises a subtle but important question: is that slam and energy truly in the music before it reaches the switch, or is it being added (or ‘EQ’d’) by the switch itself? Or is it being shaped somewhere along the chain – by the switch, the network, or any of the devices in between?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Interesting what he wrote in the context of the Aqua LinQ:

"Now, let’s see how the Aqua LinQ network endpoint responds, connected to the N1’s Isolated Port. As its source, I used the Antipodes Oladra server, running MinimServer for UPnP, connected to the N1’s standard RJ45 port 4. Unlike Grimm, Aqua has taken measures to condition the network signal by implementing a custom-developed LAN switch. As I found during its review at the time, the LinQ is indeed less susceptible to network influences. However, as I quickly found, it is not immune. The LinQ may respond a little less strongly, but you can still very clearly hear the influence of the network switch. The N1 brings a gentler balance to the LinQ with more effortless fluidity, air, and flow, while taking very little away in terms of slam."

I would not want a switch taking away even very little in terms of slam.

What the hell is "Slam" it doesn't sound good.