Why We Built the XACT N1 – A No-Compromise Network Switch for Audiophiles

[Marcin_gps]

And how does chipset performance necessarily translate into sonic performance? If anything, the FLOPs are higher, more transactions and higher TDP = a potential increase in current leakage = more noise.

More is not always better.

My opinion is based on experience.

 

[Marcin_gps]

Hej Marcin_gps Jag undrar lite om inlägget 51High End 2025 i München på bilden där man ser routerkablar etc., kan det inte bli störningar när routern är ovanför eluttaget, jag tycker det känns konstigt med tanke på att allt annat är så väl genomtänkt? Sen undrar jag vilken optisk kabel du tycker är bäst eller påverkar de inte ljudet?

Peder

It was better to place it on the power distributor (with IMMOTUS ceramic footers undeneath) than on top of the PSU with transformer inside.

BTW - the XACT N1 review in High Fidelity is available in English now: https://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-1533&lang=en

 

[sbo6]

My opinion is based on experience.

So no technical explanation, understood.

 

[Ampman]

It was better to place it on the power distributor (with IMMOTUS ceramic footers undeneath) than on top of the PSU with transformer inside.

BTW - the XACT N1 review in High Fidelity is available in English now: https://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-1533&lang=en

Hi Marcin
In the review an internal cable upgrade is mentioned.
After a very impressive recent home test I have just ordered an N1 and am very interested to hear more please.
Is this available now?
It would be much better if I could receive an upgraded version rather than need to retrofit.
Thanks!

 

[Marcin_gps]

Hi Marcin
In the review an internal cable upgrade is mentioned.
After a very impressive recent home test I have just ordered an N1 and am very interested to hear more please.
Is this available now?
It would be much better if I could receive an upgraded version rather than need to retrofit.
Thanks!

Thank you for pointing this out.

The part of the review you mentioned refers only to the reviewer’s personal suggestion, not to any real or planned upgrade from our side. It was also partly a translation inaccuracy — there is no internal cable upgrade available or in development for the N1.

The last bit of the review should be translated as:

Nice? – Very… As always, however, there’s room for improvement, and in the future the manufacturer may wish to decide to offer such an “upgrade package”

I will inform High Fidelity that the translation is misleading in that part.

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[Ampman]

Thank you for pointing this out.

The part of the review you mentioned refers only to the reviewer’s personal suggestion, not to any real or planned upgrade from our side. It was also partly a translation inaccuracy — there is no internal cable upgrade available or in development for the N1.

The last bit of the review should be translated as:



I will inform High Fidelity that the translation is misleading in that part.

Best regards,
Marcin

But does this mean that you still have other ideas of upgrades that may be possible sometime in the future?
Where may these areas of improvement be?
If so will it be possible to return our N1s for an upgrade rather than needing to purchase a totally different unit?
These are important factors that should be clear for us as prospective buyers...
Thank you!

 

[Marcin_gps]

But does this mean that you still have other ideas of upgrades that may be possible sometime in the future?
Where may these areas of improvement be?
If so will it be possible to return our N1s for an upgrade rather than needing to purchase a totally different unit?
These are important factors that should be clear for us as prospective buyers...
Thank you!

There are no upgrades planned for the N1 switch.

The part of the review is not comment from a manufacturer (XACT). It's a wishful thinking of the reviewer.

I already informed High Fidelity to correct the translation as it's misleading.

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[Ampman]

I decided to follow recommendations and purchase a LinkUp cat 8 22AWG cable to try.

Does anyone know if it's directional and how to determine the correct direction if it is.
Or have experience of which way round it sounds best?

Thanks!

 

[Rotatoubib]

Hello Ampman! I purchased 2 Linkup, one from the router to my N1 switch and one from the N1 to the S1 Evo: I compared to a 3000€ ethernet cable and didn't hear any difference; I dont think its directional, but Marcin will tell you I think

 

[l_santista]

I've just finished testing the S1 Evo in conjunction with the N1, and I must say I was very impressed. My experience is similar to that of reviewers, i.e. a lot of naturalness and musicality, but I think that what best sums up my feeling is the absence of frustration compared to vinyl!
A few weeks ago, I tested a highly reputed (and much more expensive) server, and I think that the S1 Evo combined with the N1 is at least equivalent, if not superior. So I've ordered the duo: when I receive them, I'll write another review, in particular on the association with my Playback Design

Glad too see you received the duo @Rotatoubib , how did you like them with the PD DAC, what USB did you use? tks

 

[Rotatoubib]

Hello I_santista, it works really well with the MPD-8. I tried different USB cables and choose the Network Acoustics muon2, which is, in my set up, very neutral

 

[Rotatoubib]

I have to add that I use Playback USB X4 with Plink interface from S1 Evo to MPD8, and its a real bonus; maybe it explains why the ethernet cable is less significant , as fiber optic connection isolates DAC from jitter