Differences between NAS and dedicated music servers such as Melco and Innuos

[zbub]

In my setup, I have placed a SOtM switch before the Melco Server.

The Melco Server is equipped with two ports: one for incoming Ethernet and another designed for connection to the DAC. Effectively, the Melco server operates as a standalone switch.

In addition to the Ethernet connection, there is a USB output from the Melco Server that connects to the MSB PRO ISL. This specific device is responsible for converting the signal into fiber before it enters the MSB Premier DAC.

As can be seen, there is now a need for another switch (between the Melco output to DAC in my topology as the Melco itself acts as a switch.

Hi thank you for your explanation, and Melco is essentially acting like a switch makes perfect sense. My dilemma is this - I do not stream music via internet at all; the WiFi router Melco is connected to (plus CH P1 phono) is NOT connected to the internet at all, so the router is more like a (cheap) switch but should be less noisy than a typical router that's connected to the internet, and the only purpose for my router is to control digital file playback (if I don't use the router to control P1 it's really no big deal). I am still trying to grasp the concept and the advantage of adding a better switch into the system and trying to learn as much as possible...

 

[exupgh12]

Hi thank you for your explanation, and Melco is essentially acting like a switch makes perfect sense. My dilemma is this - I do not stream music via internet at all; the WiFi router Melco is connected to (plus CH P1 phono) is NOT connected to the internet at all, so the router is more like a (cheap) switch but should be less noisy than a typical router that's connected to the internet, and the only purpose for my router is to control digital file playback (if I don't use the router to control P1 it's really no big deal). I am still trying to grasp the concept and the advantage of adding a better switch into the system and trying to learn as much as possible...

A better switch like SOtM and others usually comes with better internal clock and better electric transformer, sometimes better ethernet connectors that suppose to be more isolated.

the best way to experience an audiophile switch is to disconnect it from the network, if the sound experience had degraded then you can easily know the switch is doing what it suppose to do.