Best audiophile switch

[TonyW]

2 enhancers had the same effect with my UEF mk1, but the effect was not immediate. Took a few hours with music playing. In my setup, using Stack Audio footers is also beneficial. I think you said that footers did not help when used with the demo mk1 in your setup. All systems are different...

Great to know that the enhancers work so well with the UEF mk2. Really didn't expect that given the improvements made inside the chassis (as per SR marketing material, at any rate). Also good to know the break-in for the switch is minimal. The mk1 took a month in my setup. But that is typical for new gear here.

Out of curiosity I took the trouble to play the same CD from last week- a few tracks and then played the FLAC of that CD stored on my Server's SSD. Best my ears can tell they sound the same now. Remember last week when I was running w/o the SR Ethernet Switch I noted that it sound was like two different cables. So with my server the incoming ethernet signal can affect the local files.

Then I played the hi res version 24/96kHz on Qobuz. Sound is just a touch warmer but soundstage, imaging and detail is the same as the FLAC file and CD. Seems to me hi res files are more dependent on the engineering/mastering than format. Back in the day CDs were inferior to vinyl on my rig even with a high end CD player- $6k range in the early 2000s. And that was in terms of everything- PRaT, Soundstage, detail/resolution and imaging, But these days be it CD or Streaming, digital rocks for me. I don't even want to think about the cost. I'm past that. At any rate, I'm glad I borrowed the SR Ethernet Switch UEF. It's quite the step up in streaming for me.

 

[Brucemck2]

The SwitchX product is outstanding. Serious engineering chops underlying it. (There are other threads covering it in some detail which you can find via the Search bar.)

The only real “downside” is that you have it establishes a separate network so you can’t just plug it into an existing network and access the clean network (there’s a separate wireless access point that provides control for that separate clean network.)

https://dejitterit.com/SwitchX/SWITCHX.pdf

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...tch-modded-access-point-omg.39030/post-996906

 

[PYP]

Seems to me hi res files are more dependent on the engineering/mastering than format.

That is what I'm finding too regarding streaming content. Some 44/16 recordings are very, very good. Some hi res are no better. And when Qobuz provides several hi res versions, it is worthwhile listening to a little bit of all of them. Sometimes the highest resolution is not best. All depends upon the master used. Unfortunately, information about the master used is not available and it probably will never be available (until AI Roon, that is).

 

[Republicoftexas69]

The SwitchX product is outstanding. Serious engineering chops underlying it. (There are other threads covering it in some detail which you can find via the Search bar.)

The only real “downside” is that you have it establishes a separate network so you can’t just plug it into an existing network and access the clean network (there’s a separate wireless access point that provides control for that separate clean network.)

https://dejitterit.com/SwitchX/SWITCHX.pdf

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...tch-modded-access-point-omg.39030/post-996906

Lost me at WIFI....

 

[orange55]

That is what I'm finding too regarding streaming content. Some 44/16 recordings are very, very good. Some hi res are no better. And when Qobuz provides several hi res versions, it is worthwhile listening to a little bit of all of them. Sometimes the highest resolution is not best. All depends upon the master used. Unfortunately, information about the master used is not available and it probably will never be available (until AI Roon, that is).

Agree and the worst thing is when a remastered version of an album is released. It’s not as good as the original, because they changed too much of the arrangement. Then Qobuz removes the original version of the album.

 

[Brucemck2]

Lost me at WIFI....

WiFi connection provides control of the devices on the isolated network

 

[Republicoftexas69]

View attachment 147270

WiFi connection provides control of the devices on the isolated network

Okay no WiFi in my house. Enjoy.

 

[Audioking87]

The price varies by country. Where are you located?

I bought the review sample when I did the first review on it last year.

I LOVE this switch.

I also have the OPT BRIDGE to go with it which takes it to the next level.

Does the opt bridge come with anything (cables/stock psus)? I see two DC jack inputs but not much info on the product page.

 

[TonyW]

Update on my new SR Ethernet Switch UEF MkII:
Sound is still fabulous. I do not detect any change in sound really since installing it. I played a few songs the other day that I hadn't played in a year or more. I was stunned. Maybe we cannot remember aurally lots of details but hearing these songs on my current system rocked me. I could tell a difference in my system from when I last played those songs. That is a good feeling to know I have definitely made progress.

Now, the other day I put some footers under the Ethernet Switch. I am out of cones but I had these weird footers on a shelf, so I decided to try them. I did this a few days ago and listened two times with the feet in place. So last night I'm listening and I notice the voices are too intense, too forward, I think it is. I didn't like it. I'm wondering for a moment what changed? Then I remembered these feet under the network switch so I stopped the music, removed those feet putting the switch directly back on the wood isolated platform. Went back to the music and all was right again.

I heard it for myself but it is still hard for me to believe how much the sound was affected by footers on the network switch. It was not a subtle difference. Deeper into the rabbit hole I go...

The feet on this network switch seem to be the optimum solution. These feet are not afterthoughts. They are not just cheap add ons. I took a closer look and I see that the feet on this network switch are made of carbon fiber. Looks like every detail of the construction of this network switch was carefully considered.

 

[Sunny]

I've had both Ansuz D2 Powerswitch and Reiki on demo. I went with D2. Didn't think Reiki was anything special compared to say EE8. It's a standard switch in a CNC housing.

I just got all the newest Reiki Audio products. Auditioning today and comparing between helping customers in the store.

 

[Di-fi]

I just read this ‘best audiophile switch’ comparison conducted over several days, also evaluating internal vs. external, well-powered clocking with high-quality clock cable. To me it confirms again that audiophile switches do improve upon standard network switches by incorporating higher-precision clocks, which help create a cleaner, more stable electrical environment for the streamer or DAC—making audible differences in sound quality.

This comparison focuses on the LHY SW6 w. internal 10MHz OCXO Master Clock and Talema psu vs. EtherREGEN, AfterDark King, JS-2 power supply, two Sapphire DC cables, and a Tubulus Concentus clock cable. Please read this brief review by MartinT from the Audio Standard (quotes below).

Also do take into account his specific setup (as listed in his signature), where the "last meter" between eR or LHY is a copper DAC cable connecting transceiver-less to the streamer and switch rather than the more common well-shielded Ethernet cable (that is only grounded at the source). So for fair comparison keep in mind that both the eR and SW6 can be used in different configurations, whether with a transceiver or solely via Ethernet.

All the main parameters like overall balance, bass power, midrange communication are present and correct. Treble is just a tad toned down from the EtherREGEN. I'm going to keep listening into the night as the LHY settles before I make any further judgements.

Today the LHY sounds almost the same as my above description except that soundstage has opened up a little further. Again, this is compared with the EtherREGEN + clock, but I haven't yet connected the external clock to the LHY. I see that the LHY has an LED next to the clock input, so that should give some visual confirmation.

No point in waiting, I'm going to try my AfterDark King clock into the LHY. Nothing to lose, it's already better than the ER.

I could hear differences between the LHY OCXO internal clock and the AfterDark King OCXO external clock. It took me a lot longer to lock into what the differences were and Emmylou Harris' wonderful song Goodbye gave me the easiest way to repeatedly hear the changes. In terms of the acoustic space and depth, as well as tightness and immediacy, and slightly more potent bass, the LHY clock wins. The conclusion, therefore, is that it is at the very least better than an AD King and I guess that offers a scale of goodness that might be helpful to others.

In terms of KISS, there is no contest. The LHY replaces an EtherREGEN, AfterDark King, JS-2 power supply, two Sapphire DC cables, a Tubulus Concentus clock cable and a handful of Black Ravioli footers. That's a clear victory.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I just read this ‘best audiophile switch’ comparison conducted over several days, also evaluating internal vs. external, well-powered clocking with high-quality clock cable. To me it confirms again that audiophile switches do improve upon standard network switches by incorporating higher-precision clocks, which help create a cleaner, more stable electrical environment for the streamer or DAC—making audible differences in sound quality.

This comparison focuses on the LHY SW6 w. internal 10MHz OCXO Master Clock and Talema psu vs. EtherREGEN, AfterDark King, JS-2 power supply, two Sapphire DC cables, and a Tubulus Concentus clock cable. Please read this brief review by MartinT from the Audio Standard (quotes below).

Also do take into account his specific setup (as listed in his signature), where the "last meter" between eR or LHY is a copper DAC cable connecting transceiver-less to the streamer and switch rather than the more common well-shielded Ethernet cable (that is only grounded at the source). So for fair comparison keep in mind that both the eR and SW6 can be used in different configurations, whether with a transceiver or solely via Ethernet.







View attachment 148245

Was not the case here but that’s okay, that’s why there are return privileges.

 

[audiobomber]

@Di-fi An EtherRegen with Pardo MiniTeddy supply easily beat an LHY SW-10 in my system and in a friend's much pricier system.

Unlike the posts you linked, we use the EtherRegen as it is designed to be used, connected to the network via optical fiber and to the streamer via ethernet cable. No external clocks were used.

 

[Hyperion]

I just got all the newest Reiki Audio products. Auditioning today and comparing between helping customers in the store.

So did we

/ Marcus

 

[PYP]

Was not the case here but that’s okay, that’s why there are return privileges.

exactly. That is while this thread may introduce the reader to choices that are unfamiliar, it doesn't provide a "best" choice as a generalization. It is also helpful to read how the switches are used -- for example, the location of the switch relative to the streamer. This provides a basis for experimentation at home.

It is also interesting to try passive filters in combination with active switches (with or without clocks). Footers and grounding are also good experiments. I'm too lazy to make a list of switches, their manufacturers and their price points, but that would be a helpful place to start for a thread like this.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

exactly. That is while this thread may introduce the reader to choices that are unfamiliar, it doesn't provide a "best" choice as a generalization. It is also helpful to read how the switches are used -- for example, the location of the switch relative to the streamer. This provides a basis for experimentation at home.

It is also interesting to try passive filters in combination with active switches (with or without clocks). Footers and grounding are also good experiments. I'm too lazy to make a list of switches, their manufacturers and their price points, but that would be a helpful place to start for a thread like this.

Yep done it all, and I am tickled pink with my streaming and digital set up. Cheers.

 

[PYP]

Yep done it all, and I am tickled pink with my streaming and digital set up. Cheers.

just curious -- how many years of experimenting with digital streaming noise mitigation? I don't know if folks understand that this takes a while and accumulated experience. I think it would be unusual to just drop in a switch and call it good, but perhaps this happens sometimes. Of course, it is the same with all equipment. It takes a while to hone the setup.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

just curious -- how many years of experimenting with digital streaming noise mitigation? I don't know if folks understand that this takes a while and accumulated experience. I think it would be unusual to just drop in a switch and call it good, but perhaps this happens sometimes. Of course, it is the same with all equipment. It takes a while to hone the setup.

At least 10 and I am done. until I hear the next best thing....

 

[orange55]

@Di-fi An EtherRegen with Pardo MiniTeddy supply easily beat an LHY SW-10 in my system and in a friend's much pricier system.

Unlike the posts you linked, we use the EtherRegen as it is designed to be used, connected to the network via optical fiber and to the streamer via ethernet cable. No external clocks were used.

Agree the backwards ER never seemed the right choice to me.

 

[kennyb123]

Agree the backwards ER never seemed the right choice to me.

I recall @Superdad mentioning that they chose to label the sides ‘A’ and ‘B’ instead of ‘in’ and ‘out’ as it is just as effective in either direction.