Best audiophile switch

[PYP]

No thinking skills can bring you such verifiable data, except brainwashing.

before this thread sunsets... Critical thinking skills provide the basis for asking relevant questions to find the data and put it into a meaningful context. It is the opposite of brainwashing or simply having an opinion without a firm grasp of the details/context.

 

[sbo6]

If I just wanted to enjoy music I would not need high-end audio. Simple high quality stereo and/or multichannel would be enough.

Although music is a significant part pf my life and I enjoy listening, I know that there are audiophiles that are in hobby more for the entertaining and social part of it than for music.

Then IMO you're not an audiophile. An audiophile pursues great music played back on an ever - increasingly realistically - capable system for a more enjoyable musical experience.

 

[TonyW]

The new ethernet switch is here! It arrived this afternoon. The Synergistics Research Ethernet Switch UEF Mark II is now integrated into my stereo system. See the attached photos below. It looks about the same as the previous version except that the UEF tuning circuit cylinder on the back is gone. Two UEF tuning discs, one gold and one purple came in the box. I'm guessing one or the other goes on the power cord as a final fine tuning of the UEF circuit. I will give it the first listen tomorrow night after 24 hours of run time. The manual does not mention any burn-in time requirements.

I shipped the previous version SR Ethernet Switch UEF, the loaner back last week. It has been sorely missed. I connected the streamer into the LHY SW-8. The music wasn't the same. Highs were not as good and the soundstage was smaller, less focused. That sense of 3D airiness around voices and instruments was gone. After streaming with the original SR Ethernet Switch UEF, I could not go back to living without it. I'm spoiled, I guess. I switched over to spinning vinyl and CDs. The thing I noticed is CDs sound great but do not quite have the large soundstage like streaming hi-res. It's ok because with some music the smaller intimate stage is nice. No change in PRaT with/without the SR Switch. That is something I found with my new DAC just over a year ago.

More details after tomorrow and then next week. I'm looking forward to some great sounding music.


Spinning CDs and having fun last night. Note the Helene reclocks the AES signal coming in as an option. I can also use a coax from my transport to DAC. I played some vinyl last night too. Note the empty, small platform where the missing SR Ethernet Switch belongs.


NIB I got the Foundation XL power cord.


The only indications of the new version is the MkII engraved in the case and the UEF tuning circuit is gone.


Up and running. Fits perfectly on my custom isolation platform that I built. The added weight on top is for tuning the suspension of my isolation platform. The platform is sitting on (3) 11 lb/in springs. Thinking about putting the switch on cones at a later date- just to see, or hear.

 

[NigelB]

if a sufficient number of people learned and practices critical thinking skills, discussions would be based upon verifiable data. Regarding switches, there are no measurements of noise reduction, therefore subjective opinions are the only points on the graph.

I think it will always be thus, almost by definition. As I said to someone elsewhere, I could try to choose my next car/automobile by comparing measurements of everything under the sun but ultimately I'm going to want to actually drive a shortlist; data/measurements get us only so far, and that's not a suggestion that we are measuring the wrong things.

* I don't say this as an invitation for the measurists amongst us to divert the thread into a broader conversation, merely to remind ourselves that we're all at-least-reasonably intelligent adults who can decide what counts (to us as individuals) as "verifiable". For a good few, feedback from fellow enthusiasts with actual listening experiences is at least as useful as data which may or may not tell us something useful. Hence online forums, and long may they live!

 

[microstrip]

(...) High-end audio can be used as a tool to get different perspectives of music, when it brings us more information. (...)

Then IMO you're not an audiophile. An audiophile pursues great music played back on an ever - increasingly realistically - capable system for a more enjoyable musical experience.

I had addressed this aspect in many posts in this forum, see the one I posted just a few posts before you wrote yours and I am quoting. This debate is spread in other threads. And what is realistic for some of us is not for others. I often disagree with others on audiophile objectives, but respect them.

 

[sbo6]

I had addressed this aspect in many posts in this forum, see the one I posted just a few posts before you wrote yours and I am quoting. This debate is spread in other threads. And what is realistic for some of us is not for others. I often disagree with others on audiophile objectives, but respect them.

Acknowledged hence why I stated, "Then IMO."

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Shame. You should know it sounds better at 67 than 69 degrees.

68 and you owe me 1

 

[PYP]

What do you mean by "good simulation of the real thing"?

if a setup cannot be mistaken for a live performance, then it is, in essence, a simulation.

Good = good enough for me to ignore the equipment and just listen to music. While I don't consider myself a gear-head, the timing, tone and timbre have to reach a certain realism for me to forget the gear.

 

[microstrip]

if a setup cannot be mistaken for a live performance, then it is, in essence, a simulation.

Well, you are avoiding defining "simulation". IMO stereo sound is not a simulation - it can't recreate a physical sound stage. It relies on "tricks" to create an illusion.

Although you can use the word how you want - it is a question of semantics - it is not a simulation in the strict sense of the word.

Good = good enough for me to ignore the equipment and just listen to music. While I don't consider myself a gear-head, the timing, tone and timbre have to reach a certain realism for me to forget the gear.

People listening to kitchen radios also do noy think about gear. Although "timing" is an ambiguous subjective qualifier, it seems you are easy to please - most audiophiles ask for a lot more from their systems.

 

[PYP]

Well, you are avoiding defining "simulation". IMO stereo sound is not a simulation - it can't recreate a physical sound stage. It relies on "tricks" to create an illusion.

Although you can use the word how you want - it is a question of semantics - it is not a simulation in the strict sense of the word.

OK. Agreed - it is semantics. The "trick" part is what I'm trying to express. It is a trick that cannot be heard as the real thing. Nonetheless, it can be very enjoyable and even revelatory. Have you ever listened to familiar music via this trick that taught you something new about the music and/or brought a different emotion than the last time at a venue listening to the same piece?

People listening to kitchen radios also do noy think about gear. Although "timing" is an ambiguous subjective qualifier, it seems you are easy to please - most audiophiles ask for a lot more from their systems.

Am I easy to please regarding my setup? I checked with my wife and she disagrees. I'm sure you can understand that I'm going to agree with her.

My current theory is that "it is all in your head" and that the easiest way to enjoyment is to work on the mind/body part. Experiment: Listen to a piece of music. Exercise. Repeat. Report results. [legal disclaimer: check with your doctor before starting any physical program]

I can enjoy music at the grocery store too, but that only happens with nostalgic songs from my misspent youth. At home, I look for a setup that can reliably transport me with all kinds of music. If that makes me easy, then I am happy to be that way. You make is sound like a bad thing.

 

[mxk116]

The new ethernet switch is here! It arrived this afternoon. The Synergistics Research Ethernet Switch UEF Mark II is now integrated into my stereo system. See the attached photos below. It looks about the same as the previous version except that the UEF tuning circuit cylinder on the back is gone. Two UEF tuning discs, one gold and one purple came in the box. I'm guessing one or the other goes on the power cord as a final fine tuning of the UEF circuit. I will give it the first listen tomorrow night after 24 hours of run time. The manual does not mention any burn-in time requirements.

I shipped the previous version SR Ethernet Switch UEF, the loaner back last week. It has been sorely missed. I connected the streamer into the LHY SW-8. The music wasn't the same. Highs were not as good and the soundstage was smaller, less focused. That sense of 3D airiness around voices and instruments was gone. After streaming with the original SR Ethernet Switch UEF, I could not go back to living without it. I'm spoiled, I guess. I switched over to spinning vinyl and CDs. The thing I noticed is CDs sound great but do not quite have the large soundstage like streaming hi-res. It's ok because with some music the smaller intimate stage is nice. No change in PRaT with/without the SR Switch. That is something I found with my new DAC just over a year ago.

More details after tomorrow and then next week. I'm looking forward to some great sounding music.

View attachment 146881
Spinning CDs and having fun last night. Note the Helene reclocks the AES signal coming in as an option. I can also use a coax from my transport to DAC. I played some vinyl last night too. Note the empty, small platform where the missing SR Ethernet Switch belongs.

View attachment 146882
NIB I got the Foundation XL power cord.

View attachment 146883
The only indications of the new version is the MkII engraved in the case and the UEF tuning circuit is gone.

View attachment 146884
Up and running. Fits perfectly on my custom isolation platform that I built. The added weight on top is for tuning the suspension of my isolation platform. The platform is sitting on (3) 11 lb/in springs. Thinking about putting the switch on cones at a later date- just to see, or hear.

I have been yearning for someone to post something relevant to the subject of this thread; thank you.

Enjoy your new switch and the music it provides.

 

[Mr. Analog]

View attachment 146881
Spinning CDs and having fun last night. Note the Helene reclocks the AES signal coming in as an option. I can also use a coax from my transport to DAC. I played some vinyl last night too. Note the empty, small platform where the missing SR Ethernet Switch belongs.

Please note that the developer of the Aries Cerat Helene explicitly recommends the use of the USB input, which has been confirmed by many AC owners. Perhaps you have the opportunity to test USB against AES (assuming an identical cable family).

Otherwise, the reports are very exciting and informative - thank you very much.

Greetings Mr. Analog

 

[TonyW]

Please note that the developer of the Aries Cerat Helene explicitly recommends the use of the USB input, which has been confirmed by many AC owners. Perhaps you have the opportunity to test USB against AES (assuming an identical cable family).

Otherwise, the reports are very exciting and informative - thank you very much.

Greetings Mr. Analog

Yes, I use the USB input with my Streamer. The Antipodes K50 Music Server is optimized as well for USB output.

And you are welcome. Glad to be of service.

 

[TonyW]

First listening impressions of the SR Ethernet Switch UEF MKII: The magic is back! The switch has been up and running over 24 hours now. I sent the loaner, the previous version switch back 6 days ago so I cannot do an A/B comparison nor would I want to. Instead I just sat back and listened to some of my recent favorites from the last couple of months and took note of any differences I heard. The highs are very, very good again. I can't say for sure they are better than with the old switch. They sound smooth, pleasing and leave me wanting more- never stop. The bass is definitely better and even clearer than with the old version switch. The difference was apparent to me. This is based on hearing some songs with acoustic bass and also electric bass. One song I listened to had an acoustic bass on the right and an acoustic guitar on the left. The guitar was about a foot lower than the bass. I could almost see the stool the guitarist was sitting on and I could almost see the front of the acoustic bass.

And that leads into the sound stage. I believe the sound stage is even more defined and airy than before. Ever get startled by a sound in the room and realize it was in the recording? Yeah, more of that. The presence is more real, clearer. I was listening to a track by Blues Company. Been on a kick with that band for a few months now. Love their music. I was marveling at the return of the large sound stage with this network switch. I looked to see what the file type was playing expecting it to be a hi res file and much to my surprise it was a 44.1/16 file. I need to get over my past generalizations/biases about std res vs hi res.

My cousin brought. "I'd Love to Change the World" by Ten Years After (2023 Mix) to my attention a couple of weeks ago. I remember listening to that song on the AM radio in the car back in the 70s. I put that song on just now. The large sound stage made me feel like I was lost in an ocean of music. Combine that with nostalgia and reconnecting to a song that I had connected to some 50 years before and I became overwhelmed. That's the rush I get from my audio system. It makes it all worthwhile to me.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Positive. Bear in mind I put my streamer on a set of Stack Auva feet at the same time.

I had a switch with an upgraded clock, a 2-box LPS, but no DC filtering. I also had an inline EMOSytems isolator, which does the same job as the SmoothLAN product that @Republicoftexas69 has in his chain. I took out the switch and the EMO and just put the LAN Regenerator between FMC and streamer.

The SmoothLAN Regenerator has the same functionality and seems to do it a lot better because there is far less of it, it's cleaner, 100 mpbs, and the reduction of boxes is a big deal for me.

The old switch (it was white before I sprayed it), the EMO filter and the new LAN regenerator are pictured together below.
View attachment 146827

I think Stack comprises a product designer and Josh on sales and marketing. My son is a product designer of consumer products, so I have some idea how it should work. You don't have to be a genius engineer because the technology is not rocket science, and you can buy in tech (most audio companies do). You just need to know how to conceptualise, design, and source the product at the most affordable cost and then market it. All their products are in-house designed with local suppliers. (Rega are the masters of this.) This is the complete opposite of most audiophile network products and cables (with notable exceptions like Buffalo/Melco, SoTM and some others) that are a generic product with some upgrades, a nice case, a veneer of b/s and a crazy price tag. Josh is clear that they see direct selling as a means of keeping prices down (like Schiit, Buchardt, etc), not as an opportunity to charge prices based on inflated profit margins.

I just installed my Stack SmoothLAN Regenerator and all I can say is wow! Such a great compliment to my EtherRegen and Sonore Optical Module Deluxe. Will be working in the Afterdark Clock specific to the EtherRegen...

 

[treitz3]

Seems like it.

It would still be nice (at the end of the day) for those who are interested to learn more about what switches folks use, and why they feel that they are the best.

Tom

 

[treitz3]

I just installed my Stack SmoothLAN Regenerator <snip>

Interesting. Can you tell us more about this in another thread please?

Tom

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Interesting. Can you tell us more about this in another thread please?

Tom

I am done...it was in the thread before??

 

[treitz3]

Actually, I'd like to learn more about it....but this thread has taken so many turns...

Sounds intriguing.

Tom

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Actually, I'd like to learn more about it....but this thread has taken so many turns...

Sounds intriguing.

Tom

Okay,