Melco S100 audiophile switch

auricgoldfinger

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2019
120
94
93
FWIW, I have always used the 100MB ports on the S100 without any issues of audio files loading slowly or network drop outs. The large majority of my content is 96-24, 192-24, and DSD. In fact, the only time I experienced connectivity issues was prior to the S100 when the EtherRegen was in my system. While I most definitely am not challenging your experience or what you were told my Melco, based on my own experience with various switches, I believe the problem is network and system dependent.
 

Wine Doctor

Member
Sep 5, 2020
6
0
6
78
Thanks for your post, auricgoldfinger.

The relevant connections/equipment in my system are:

Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 10X connected by copper Cat 5e cabling to the internet and to Port 5 of a Melco S100 switch (1gb port);

Wolf Alpha 3SX music server running Roon connected to Port 6 of Melco S100 switch (1 gb port) via Shunyata Sigma ethernet cable; and

dCS Rossini Player/DAC connected to Melco S100 switch (either a 100mb port or 1 gb port) via Shunyata Sigma ethernet cable.

The 1gb connection for the dCS Rossini works fine and Roon shows that the connection is "lossless." The 100mb connection for the dCS Rossini fails every time. Any suggestions as to where the problem in the network or system might lie?

Thanks very much.
 

auricgoldfinger

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2019
120
94
93
Now that I see your system, I can understand why we are getting different results with the 100MB ports. My abbreviated setup is:

server => Ethernet => SOtM switch => fiber => S100 => Ethernet => endpoint => USB => DAC

My S100 is doing less than yours in the sense that fewer ports are in use. Perhaps the additional overhead (traffic) is the reason you are receiving the "audio files loading slowly" message when the Rossini is connected to the 100MB port. I don't have the technical knowledge to say anything more.

Out of curiosity, have you tried plugging all your devices into 100MB ports only? I wonder if that would make a difference.

One other thought is that your Rossini may not be able to negotiate with your server at the lower speed. Perhaps there might be a setting in the Rossini or server NIC which could be changed.
 
Last edited:

rDin

Well-Known Member
Oct 28, 2019
230
196
130
55
Not sure of the data rate of DSD but I'm running 192kHz PCM (Roon) through the 100Mb port without issues. And Port 9 is still stable since last post on Thursday, so definitely seems to be the port of choice for the SFP connection.
 

jaxdr

Well-Known Member
Feb 21, 2017
49
47
148
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
I do believe that when fiber is used as a input it is a 1Gb connection. When I use fiber to input (port 9) to the S100 my connection remains secure. This applies to both hi-res and lo-res streams. However in my system I find better sound quality when I use the 100Mb connection for both input and output of the S100. YMMV given the differences in our digital networks and systems. With the changes I recently made, I have maintained a secure connection when using the 100Mb connection for both input and output of hi-res streams.
 

rDin

Well-Known Member
Oct 28, 2019
230
196
130
55
I do believe that when fiber is used as a input it is a 1Gb connection.

Fibre is typically 10Gb, but it's possible that the Melco is limiting it to 1Gb. I don't know for sure.

When I use fiber to input (port 9) to the S100 my connection remains secure. This applies to both hi-res and lo-res streams.

Definitely seems like Port 9 is the one to use if fibre is part of the setup.

However in my system I find better sound quality when I use the 100Mb connection for both input and output of the S100.

Interesting. Hadn't thought to try that as am using fibre to electrically isolate the S100 from my network. Will give ethernet in/out a listen.
 

Kris

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2019
948
971
183
As the Melco s100 by many form here was confirmed to be identical to Buffalo 2016
here is some very important observation with adding Pink Faun ULTRA clock to the switch.
In short it is must to have upgrade to the Melco/ Buffalo.

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...-music-server/?do=findComment&comment=1079597

You might need to contact Jord from Pink Faun to geie you an costs info ablut the modification.
He is great person and very supportive.
 

Thieliste

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2014
815
295
285
53
Did anyone try Paul Pang's latest OCXO quad switch ?
 

octaviars

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2020
57
52
85
45
Fibre is typically 10Gb, but it's possible that the Melco is limiting it to 1Gb. I don't know for sure.

That depends if the switch have a SFP port it is always max 1Gb it has to be SFP+ to be more than that like 10Gb. SOtM, Uptone and Melco all have SFP ports so they only support SFP modules that are max 1Gb.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rDin

paulkwan

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2016
13
3
133
Just to share i find conect my Roon core NAS to 100Mb port in addition to my dCS Bartok sounds way better than the 1Gb port, and also rock stable without any drop.
Adding another switch upstream make the background more black, and I'm surprised by connecting upper stream by copper ethernet cable sounds better than fiber FMC in my case.
The sound signature of upper stream ethernet cable still noticeably propagate to down stream.
 

Whitlee

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2020
6
1
68
74
I am new to this forum so be kind. I was wondering if any of the data user's have had experience using it with any of the Aurender products as they have and internal cache drive where everything is played from, so when I stream from the NAS drive the music gets stored on the cache drive and played directly from it.
 

Kris

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2019
948
971
183
That depends if the switch have a SFP port it is always max 1Gb it has to be SFP+ to be more than that like 10Gb. SOtM, Uptone and Melco all have SFP ports so they only support SFP modules that are max 1Gb.

Also different SFPs that are acting in fact 1G in those switches can operate between themselves with 1, 2 3 and 4 Gbps.
 

Kris

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2019
948
971
183
Did anyone try Paul Pang's latest OCXO quad switch ?
I asked this question many months ago hoping for answer.
Than I contacted PP direct but had to give up.
If he stacked 4 Switches in one chasis I decided I could do similar thing myself but
with better switches.

What I did I Stacked 2 Buffalo 2016 (identical inside to Melco S100)
It was a very significant increase in SQ
After that 2 more Buffalo Were added with additional increase in SQ For total of 4 switches.

Because Nenon was one of the first to upgrate the clock in his Buffalo/Melco with Pink Faun Ultra
I decided to go this route.
I got in contact with Jord from PinkFaun and had 2 clocks installed in 2 of my Buffalows / Melco
The increase in SQ was amazing. Nothing can change the quality that significant as a Top clock .
It is by far the biggest SQ increase I experienced.

Since that I sent the Router and Modem to Jord to get their clocks upgrated with Pink Faun Ultra.
Waiting for them to come back and will do extensive A/B testing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gionaz

Kris

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2019
948
971
183
Just to share i find conect my Roon core NAS to 100Mb port in addition to my dCS Bartok sounds way better than the 1Gb port, and also rock stable without any drop.
Adding another switch upstream make the background more black, and I'm surprised by connecting upper stream by copper ethernet cable sounds better than fiber FMC in my case.
The sound signature of upper stream ethernet cable still noticeably propagate to down stream.
1 G will for sure sound better to you.
I was in simmilar place 5 years ago.
It looks like the noise is Very significant problem in your system.
Start with LPS use for all devices and get all power switching supplys out of chain.
Get the 2,4 wifi and turn off 5 ghz wifi In your rouer /access point
or better get your wifi totally off and use wire ehernet To controll your playback.
wifi is extreme noisy thing .
Check your power and test balanced power trafo solutions like Keces to see if this helps.
Add the ethernet isolating device like PinkFaun Isolator .
Make sure all your ehernet cables are with good amount of isolation.
Sablon Audio makes excellent ethernet cables.

After that you will see that using fibre also helps .
use it between the 2 swiches and get to your server with ethernet cable.
you need to use specyfic SFPs.
Finisar FTLF1324P2BTL Is an example of that.
There are also some good Planet tech SFPs as well as Startech.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sablon Audio

matthias

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2019
1,226
545
213
Germany
Get the 2,4 wifi and turn off 5 ghz wifi In your router /access point

Emile recommends to do this as well, I agree it is a very nice tweak :)

Matt
 
Last edited:

paulkwan

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2016
13
3
133
1 G will for sure sound better to you.
I was in simmilar place 5 years ago.
It looks like the noise is Very significant problem in your system.
Start with LPS use for all devices and get all power switching supplys out of chain.
Get the 2,4 wifi and turn off 5 ghz wifi In your rouer /access point
or better get your wifi totally off and use wire ehernet To controll your playback.
wifi is extreme noisy thing .
Check your power and test balanced power trafo solutions like Keces to see if this helps.
Add the ethernet isolating device like PinkFaun Isolator .
Make sure all your ehernet cables are with good amount of isolation.
Sablon Audio makes excellent ethernet cables.

After that you will see that using fibre also helps .
use it between the 2 swiches and get to your server with ethernet cable.
you need to use specyfic SFPs.
Finisar FTLF1324P2BTL Is an example of that.
There are also some good Planet tech SFPs as well as Startech.
Thx, i have tried some of them in the past, will try the rest in future.

Btw, I'm using JS-2 for s100, do u think replace it with Farad Super3 will be beneficial? Or shall I consider the clock mod first?
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
I am new to this forum so be kind. I was wondering if any of the data user's have had experience using it with any of the Aurender products as they have and internal cache drive where everything is played from, so when I stream from the NAS drive the music gets stored on the cache drive and played directly from it.

Welcome to WBF, Whitlee!

(I will now bow out as I know almost nothing about digital.)
 

Brucemck2

Member Sponsor
May 10, 2010
426
102
1,598
Houston area
Did anyone try Paul Pang's latest OCXO quad switch ?
I currently use Paul’s dual (not quad) switch. It’s worked flawlessly and performs solidly.
 

Kris

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2019
948
971
183
Thx, i have tried some of them in the past, will try the rest in future.

Btw, I'm using JS-2 for s100, do u think replace it with Farad Super3 will be beneficial? Or shall I consider the clock mod first?
Definitely CLOCK .
please see Nenon comments on the other forum (AS) .
He mentioned that the improvement with Pink Faun ultra is difficult to describe
as the SQ changes in ALL possible aspects. Everything you think of in regards to prescribe the music IS better.
Much less noise also.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing