Good mid-price audiophile switches

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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Stereophonic asked me via pm to talk more on a new audiophile switch launched by N&E Creations of Hong Kong.
It's actually deaigned and made by Edison, a friend of mine and one of the two partners of N&E.

My previous threads on audiophile switches seem to have have stirred up the WBF CAS circle.
This is exactly what I intended to do, because audiophiles in Asia (HK & Japan) have known that a good switch is mandatory for good CAS performance for several years already but this aspect had been quite ignored in most of thebwestern world CAS circles, except the expert players in ComputerAudiophiles.com.

My previous threads/posts talked about hi-end and therefore expensive switches mostly : SOtM/Melco S100/M12 Gold ...etc

However it's a goid trend that more and more HiFi brands understand the importance of a good switches in CAS.
And even more importantly, there is a big market for this accessories.
In 2020, there have been several good yet affordable audiophiles launched.

Here are a few good ones :
Nuprime Omnia SW-8
English Electrics 8Switch made by The Chord
Silent Angel N8

There have been many praising reviews on magazines/webzines on all of them.
I think I don't have to elaborate further here.
Please surf and read about them.
:)
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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However, do WBF members know that the above three switches (Nuprime, English Electrics & Silent Angel) got the same circuit boards?
:p

They are oem by Thunder Data in Mainland China.
You can surf the web and have a look of their interior.

0_JHL7mNQzW8bPLUEv~3.jpg

Please don't misunderstand. Their performance are good!
And one of the reasons is the use of an accurate tcxo clock module.

????~3.jpeg

They are definitely beneficial to any CAS network pathway.
Won't make you broke.

Actually audiophiles in Taiwan are using them in a dual-switch configuration with good result.

v2-aa2a7e5538a460d8f4f26f97fb5c717c_1440w~2.jpg

Worth for all of you to have a look.
All three are suitable choices for entry and mid-level CAS systems.
;)
 
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howiebrou

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Jun 29, 2012
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Stereophonic asked me via pm to talk more on a new audiophile switch launched by N&E Creations of Hong Kong.
It's actually deaigned and made by Edison, a friend of mine and one of the two partners of N&E.

My previous threads on audiophile switches seem to have have stirred up the WBF CAS circle.
This is exactly what I intended to do, because audiophiles in Asia (HK & Japan) have known that a good switch is mandatory for good CAS performance for several years already but this aspect had been quite ignored in most of thebwestern world CAS circles, except the expert players in ComputerAudiophiles.com.

My previous threads/posts talked about hi-end and therefore expensive switches mostly : SOtM/Melco S100/M12 Gold ...etc

However it's a goid trend that more and more HiFi brands understand the importance of a good switches in CAS.
And even more importantly, there is a big market for this accessories.
In 2020, there have been several good yet affordable audiophiles launched.

Here are a few good ones :
Nuprime Omnia SW-8
English Electrics 8Switch made by The Chord
Silent Angel N8

There have been many praising reviews on magazines/webzines on all of them.
I think I don't have to elaborate further here.
Please surf and read about them.
:)

Edison's Switch looks very well made. Hopefully I can try it some time. IMG-20201219-WA0055.jpg
IMG-20201219-WA0053.jpg

IMG-20201219-WA0054.jpg

IMG-20201219-WA0052.jpg
 

CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
3,053
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CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
3,053
3,172
1,410
Hong Kong
Now let's come to the N&E Audio Silent Switch-OCXO.
Howie has already posted some photos of it on #3.

I did listen to it being compared to SOtM and the discontinued Clones Audio Switch in a friend's system.
He is now using it together with two other switches in a triple-switch configuration.
The result is very good.
If one on one, it's close to SOtM but the latter has so many upgrade paths.

The first advantage of the Silent Switch-OCXO is of course its affordable price of usd800.

The internal linear powersupply is well-designed and with good components.

IMG-20201003-WA0090~3.jpg

The internal Connor Winfield OCXO module surpasses TCXO modules significantly, particularly in term of musicality.

IMG-20201003-WA0089~2.jpg

The chassis is sturdy and inclusion of ground-lift switches is thoughtful.
The higher-priced Extreme Version got even better internal components.

The switch is designed and made in Hong Kong by Edison who is a friend of mine.
I even know what's underneath that interesting blue colour heatsink (I won't reveal that, it's Edison's intellectual property).
There is some conflict of interest but I still have to say :
All in all, it may be the best mid-price audiophile switch in the market currently.
:)
 

audioblazer

Member Sponsor
May 13, 2010
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Stereophonic asked me via pm to talk more on a new audiophile switch launched by N&E Creations of Hong Kong.
It's actually deaigned and made by Edison, a friend of mine and one of the two partners of N&E.

My previous threads on audiophile switches seem to have have stirred up the WBF CAS circle.
This is exactly what I intended to do, because audiophiles in Asia (HK & Japan) have known that a good switch is mandatory for good CAS performance for several years already but this aspect had been quite ignored in most of thebwestern world CAS circles, except the expert players in ComputerAudiophiles.com.

My previous threads/posts talked about hi-end and therefore expensive switches mostly : SOtM/Melco S100/M12 Gold ...etc

However it's a goid trend that more and more HiFi brands understand the importance of a good switches in CAS.
And even more importantly, there is a big market for this accessories.
In 2020, there have been several good yet affordable audiophiles launched.

Here are a few good ones :
Nuprime Omnia SW-8
English Electrics 8Switch made by The Chord
Silent Angel N8

There have been many praising reviews on magazines/webzines on all of them.
I think I don't have to elaborate further here.
Please surf and read about them.
:)
Etherstream from Fidelizer
 

Stereophonic

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2013
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Thank you very much CK.
It really seems an audio component.
Others are more or less mainstream switches with tweaks.
I like very much its audiophile look and internal components.
Spec:
1.OCXO clock for extreme low jitter 0.25-0.35ps. Frequency Stability ±10 ppb Phase.
2.8ports with 1000M LAN Speed
3.Meet IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3U Standard
4.Ground isolation switch for breaking off Ground noise from Router easily
5.True Audio grade LAN socket for best signal connection, support any giant size LAN cables
6.Ultra Low noise LPS inside
7.Top quality 6061 solid Aluminum CNC Case
8.Core module design with CNC heatsink, provide best noise shielding and lower working temperature.
9.Ground pot for Ground box connection.
10.Commercial grade Network switch MCU for best and stable performance.

Extreme version include

1.Furutech IEC Inlets, FI-06 NCF
2. Audio note ??cap
3. Mundorf cap
4. Red copper base
5.UPOCC interconnection cables
6. Silver bybee

Even it is installed on AudioExotics Divin Lab....
93293F93-91B2-4B08-BF9B-E7D7AC49B942.jpeg
 
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FredM

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Dec 28, 2019
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Also worth looking at in the ‘mid range‘, for entry level prices: in The Netherlands the Meraki MS-220P and Netgear GC510P are quite popular at the moment. Both are regular of the shelve switches with a ’more then average‘ internal power supply. According to reports both outperform the Silent Angel Bonn N8 with its Forester F1 power supply (MSRP €800)

The MS-220P and GC510P can currently be bought for just €100-150 in sales/second hand/refurbished (a new Netgear was recently discounted for €70). Both have SFP ports. On a French audio forum the Meraki is heavily modded for those interested.
 

StefanT

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Mar 28, 2014
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CKKeung, this Edisoncreation switch looks very interesting and I wonder if you can make a sonic comparison between the standard and the extreme version? I note that the Extreme version is almost double in price and therefore wondering if you think it's worth the higher price? What are the sonic improvements in the Extreme version?

Of course, if there are other members that have experience of hearing any of these switches that would be equally interesting.

Thanks
 

wbass

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Jul 12, 2020
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I'm just starting to get my head around ethernet switches. Are there any good mid-tier switches that have a fiber output? I admit I'm not yet fully researched on how (or even if) a fiber run would make a positive difference in a system. But some seem to find benefit from them, and it's got me mulling the Sonore opticalRendu as a streamer upgrade from my Bluesound Node 2i. (Also looking at Lumin and Aurender.)

Thanks for the above! Very useful.
 

Superdad

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Apr 22, 2015
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Others are more or less mainstream switches with tweaks.
I admit I'm not yet fully researched on how (or even if) a fiber run would make a positive difference in a system.

100% innovation.
And SFP cage for fiber optic.
FFFE215B-2174-4EA7-A103-49C602A0838E.jpeg
2,000 sold and counting... 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee... Only about 6 ever returned. ;-)
Happy New Year to all!
 

wbass

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2020
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@Superdad Thanks. I'm aware of the EtherREGEN. It seems a popular product.

I need to incorporate a wi-fi router in there somewhere. I'm guessing I'd still want a network switch ahead of something like the EtherREGEN, correct? I.e. I wouldn't want to plug the wi-fi router into the EtherREGEN? Or would the fiber output still provide some isolation for something like the OpticalRendu? Again, still getting my head around all of this.

Thanks!
 

Forte

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Feb 16, 2017
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2 Buffalo and 2 Silent Angel Bonn N8

SA N8 is cheaper than both Nuprime and EE8 as I believe main differences are case and feet.
 

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CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
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2 Buffalo and 2 Silent Angel Bonn N8

SA N8 is cheaper than both Nuprime and EE8 as I believe main differences are case and feet.
My friend Edison of N&E Audio in HK does modding for switches by adding ocxo clock board into them.

This is a Buffalo switch with added ocxo clock board (the small right lower circuit board). The internal switching powersupply is bypassed for using external LPS :
IMG-20190113-WA0054-2~2.jpg

He also mods SOtM switch :
IMG-20200801-WA0007~2.jpg

A friend of mine is using Edison's modded Buffalo in a dual-switch configuration :
IMG-20200806-WA0068~2.jpg
 
Last edited:
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chinkwan

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How does a pair of Buffalo GS2016 rank busied the N&E, single Sotm?

the Buffalo are bone stock with no lpsu or clock upgraded? Is it worthwhile to upgrade or better switch to something else?
 

jturbo

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Jan 20, 2018
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Also worth looking at in the ‘mid range‘, for entry level prices: in The Netherlands the Meraki MS-220P and Netgear GC510P are quite popular at the moment. Both are regular of the shelve switches with a ’more then average‘ internal power supply. According to reports both outperform the Silent Angel Bonn N8 with its Forester F1 power supply (MSRP €800)

The MS-220P and GC510P can currently be bought for just €100-150 in sales/second hand/refurbished (a new Netgear was recently discounted for €70). Both have SFP ports. On a French audio forum the Meraki is heavily modded for those interested.

Being able to Mod a meraki MS switch for Audio is very interesting especially if this allows the continued use of POE on the switch.

Can you point me towards the forums where this is being done?

Thanks!
 
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marty

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Apr 20, 2010
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Love the thread. What we all want to know is how these new switches compare with "old standards" like the SOtm sNH-10G? One thing that's important in making comparisons is not to assume the changes observed are due to the switch only. Often, you're comparing a switch and a power supply. For example, I use the SOtM 10G (with upgraded clock) but noticed that its recommended power supply (SPS 500) is really a bad sounding device compared to so many other inexpensive LPS units. When a good LPS is used, the switch performance (used in conjunction with my Taiko Extreme) improves significantly, transforming a system that was previously a bit thin sounding with mediocre timbre into one with far better bass, lower midrange fullness, and improved midrange tone. Just something to keep in mind as these comparisons emerge.

Here's a unit that is 1/5th the price of the SOtM LPS and just blew it off the shelf.

Its' a 50W linear regulated power supply, with TALEMA transformer, excellent performance, low noise, TL431 plus high power transistor discrete voltage stabilizing circuit, high speed and low resistance electrolytic capacitors and 3 levers of PS filtering.

There are many variants of these Chinese LPS units with different names on their chassis (probably OEM'd mostly by 1 or 2 companies) that are well made and incredibly inexpensive. (My 12v unit says "Breeze Hifi" on the chassis but I have no idea who actually made it). Still, the use of Talema transformers and Schottky diode rectifiers are attractive features that appear to contribute to good sound in many of these "no name" units. Judge these units by their performance, not their price. You might just be as impressed as I was when I learned that it sounded significantly better than the SOtM unit it replaced (and weighs twice as much!). I have 3 of these (2@12v; 1@5v) made by various manufacturers (or perhaps more accurately, have different names on their chassis).
 
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