Network ethernet switch with a one-box server/streamer/renderer - recommended?

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
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Yes, and they actively advise against adding a specialist linear power supply LPS to it.
 

nonesup

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Feb 15, 2017
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That's right, and my experience says otherwise.
 

Legolas

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Indeed. I found a good LPS lift sound quality in all cases:
1. Mac Mini 12v
2. External Firewire drive
3. Router
Different subject but my PS Audio P10 also beats pure mains feed on both my DAC, server and power amplifier.
 

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
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Well, my debate is one box streamer/render and dac (one ethernet and usb cbl) ie Innuos Zenith.
Or four boxes eg SonicTransporter i5 w Sonore MicroRendu, audiophile switch like AqVox, SoTM or forthcoming Uptone Audio EtherRegen, LPS to power all these (three ethernet, one usb, three DC leads).
My instinct is now Zenith after the info Ngamountains here kindly provided me, and it seems like a specialist switch could be a very nice cost effective upgrade once I get my feet under the table and take to streaming.
So, one-box Zenith solution on Day One becomes a three-box one 6 months in with a switch plus LPS upgrade.
 
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Empirical Audio

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Steve, specialist switch would be a natural first area to upgrade upon getting settled into streaming after a while. I am not going down the pricey dac route, for the usual reasons, but the quality add-on switch, w specialist LPS could be fruitful. I'll certainly consider SoTM

One really good affordable DAC is the Metrum line. R2R with nice features. No reclocking on the S/PDIF input, so it can benefit from low-jitter sources.

Steve N.
 

the sound of Tao

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Well, my debate is one box streamer/render and dac (one ethernet and usb cbl) ie Innuos Zenith.
Or four boxes eg SonicTransporter i5 w Sonore MicroRendu, audiophile switch like AqVox, SoTM or forthcoming Uptone Audio EtherRegen, LPS to power all these (three ethernet, one usb, three DC leads).
My instinct is now Zenith after the info Ngamountains here kindly provided me, and it seems like a specialist switch could be a very nice cost effective upgrade once I get my feet under the table and take to streaming.
So, one-box Zenith solution on Day One becomes a three-box one 6 months in with a switch plus LPS upgrade.

Marc, great to see you about to take the dive and plunge into the great music adventure that is the stream... imo yes a good switch does potentially add to better outcome. The Sotm switch wasn’t at all inexpensive but it is a very nice step towards an even more natural flow with more realistic timbre and the other area where it was great was that it brings a nice shot of more lifelike full blooded dynamics (think the quality of supply comes in here as well).

However while I think the Innuos is the right choice in this and you definitely don’t need the switch but agree would be worth exploring... tho to clarify you don’t need a crazy multi box approach with Sotm and can just use a Sotm ultra and use the USB in to access an external hard or SSD drive. Not going too crazy on the box count I ultimately found a good balance to be just a Sotm switch and Sotm ultra renderer both powered on high quality linear supplies with good electrical and mechanical isolation and better cables (Shunyata Triton and Typhon, Stillpoints and Wireworld Platinum eclipse and platinum starlight cables)... you can easily approach your setup with your preferred Sablon cables and or Stacore or Daizas and build in this infrastructure through time as your experience of it validates it for you and if you find it gives your music experience even greater breadth. That’s been the greatest takeaway for me. Greater exposure to the recorded treasure.
 
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Empirical Audio

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Yes, and they actively advise against adding a specialist linear power supply LPS to it.

That's only because there are so very few LPS that are fast enough responding for digital.
 

Legolas

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Nonesup, the Uptone switch has been coming for 12 months now, no sign as yet.

Any firm news, launch date or price you know?
I may soon be the distributor for SOtM for Spain & Portugal, probably after Munich High End. They made some superb (and affordable) switches and routers, streamers and servers. They also have a nice LPS for the same price at the smaller LPS from Uptone, and it has more power output. It starts at 500 USD.
sPS-500_F.jpg

And some nice switches. They start at 800 USD
sNH-10G_8.jpg

https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/portfolio-item/snh-10g/
 
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asiufy

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Yup. That combo's awesome. Get Stravros to put a word clock output in your AC DAC, and you're all set.
 

Taiko Audio

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Also Nonesup, what do you think of the Telegärtner M12 Switch Gold?

Https://jcat.eu > featured > m12-switch-gold

This is actually very good, but also very expensive, you can probably buy 5 or 6 Sotm switches for that. M12 is for industrial applications in harsh environments, it can operate in heavy vibration and rfi/emi polluted environments. There are more manufacturers offering products of this type, all costly.
 

justubes

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Aug 10, 2015
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That's only because there are so very few LPS that are fast enough responding for digital.

What is meant by the definition of fast, translated sonically as what it brings and what to listen for short of using lab test equipment to determine?
 

Empirical Audio

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What is meant by the definition of fast, translated sonically as what it brings and what to listen for short of using lab test equipment to determine?

Fast means di/dt or transient high-frequency currents do not cause a droop in the supply voltage. Fast regulation response is needed. You need test equipment that puts a high transient load on the supply to measure this.

Listening difference is that the detail and imaging will be compromised when using a slow supply. This is primarily because the jitter added by the circuits will be much higher due to the unstable voltage.

Steve N.
 

dctom

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Jan 28, 2015
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Hi Marc
I have just finished building a two pc set up. My itx machine as a server for a i7 NUC - there is a huge thread on audiophilestyle https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/#comments

Quality multiple linear supplies essential, have a HDPlex here, Sean Jacobs Dc3 arriving tomorrow and Paul Hynes LPS hopefully in August.

You should come and listen l think you will be amazed.
 
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spiritofmusic

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Dave, that thread is longer than War And Peace.

Can you summarise the main thrust, or highlight which pages I should read.

Drop me an email w any relevant info and photos.
 

justubes

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Aug 10, 2015
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Fast means di/dt or transient high-frequency currents do not cause a droop in the supply voltage. Fast regulation response is needed. You need test equipment that puts a high transient load on the supply to measure this.

Listening difference is that the detail and imaging will be compromised when using a slow supply. This is primarily because the jitter added by the circuits will be much higher due to the unstable voltage.

Steve N.
Hi Steve,

Can you build and offer for sale this fast psu?

How can we look for such or test it.

Will this fast psu be limited with the buck converters normally found on the board?
 

Empirical Audio

Industry Expert
Oct 12, 2017
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Unfortunately, I can only sell LPS with my products. I have a specific license from Paul Hynes. Cannot sell just a supply.

Another good option is the Sbooster.

Steve N.
 

Yucca

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Nov 19, 2017
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...I'm coming after the battle, but don't forget the Waversa Smarthub. Really better than any SotM product I heard at home.
It's an ethernet filter, but you have also a very good usb reclocker/filter in the same box, specially if you're using a self powered usb input on your Dac side (not recommended if your usb Dac input is not powered, though : discharge quickly the internal battery).

The Waversa is quite expensive, but if you consider you get 3 product in 1 (usb filter/reclocker, ethernet filter, and integrated double battery PSU), it's even cheap in front of the other products you have to buy to get about the same results (?)...
 
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