Do I really need an " Audio Grade Network Switch "?

[StreamFidelity]

Ethernet is a rather complicated matter.

After a lot of testing and evaluation, my network (see picture below) is the best in "my system" so far.

Before the description the disclosure of my financial interests. The fis Audio PCs / Servers I sell. To the other devices there is no economic entanglement.

In keywords:

- WLAN frequencies are very energetic and were deactivated in the router. Further away a repeater sends WLAN only for remote control.
- The Afterdark Switch cascades 2 Buffalo Switches and reclocks the signal with one of the best OCXO clocks.
- Galvanic isolation is achieved with fiber optics. It is imperative to use very high quality transceivers.
- Solarflare NICs are installed in the fis Audio PC/Server, whose latencies and jitter are close to zero.
- The DAC receives the upsampling via HQPlayer NAA (Network Audio Adapter).

The SQ increase is incredible. Due to less noise, a lot of details can be heard even at low volume. Excellent instrument localization, 3-D stage, and an analog sound are the result.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I too believe that using optical isolation is very beneficial. Isolating noise is one of the most important parts of digital audio. @StreamFidelity you can do crazy things with the i9-12900K and the HQPlayer. What filters/upsampling are you using?

 

[StreamFidelity]

What filters/upsampling are you using?

Right now I love the sound of poly-sinc-gauss-long with DSD1024. This filter can be used for any music genre and has its focus on transients, timbre and space.

The filters can be very confusing. I made a list on my homepage:

Audio PC HQPlayer filter properties​

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Right now I love the sound of poly-sinc-gauss-long with DSD1024. This filter can be used for any music genre and has its focus on transients, timbre and space.

The filters can be very confusing. I made a list on my homepage:

Audio PC HQPlayer filter properties​

Fantastic list, thank you! I bet it loads the CPU heavily being both DSD1024 and long. How hard is that 12900k working?

 

[StreamFidelity]

How hard is that 12900k working?

The picture above shows htop (Linux), which displays the load. The CPU average there is 11.4%. What looks simple, however, is the "art" of BIOS settings. A combination between overclocking and undervolting.

 

[jerrybj]

I have a Cisco 2960 switch modded by Audiophool.nl

Is there any benefit adding a switch to my modem? Could then plug into it my router, Nuc running Roon, and could possibly add a Gigafoil filter.

It then runs 10m to my Cisco/system.

 

[Mark38]

After several tests on different systems the third switch contributes significantly in these two areas; midrange presence, greater presence of the room of the recrcording imparted by greater resolution. Even present with the Lumin X1.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

After several tests on different systems the third switch contributes significantly in these two areas; midrange presence, greater presence of the room of the recrcording imparted by greater resolution. Even present with the Lumin X1.

Have you tried any LAN isolators/reclockers instead of switches?

 

[Mark38]

Have you tried any LAN isolators/reclockers instead of switches?

No, not as if yet. Do you have specific suggestions?

 

[jerrybj]

I've yet to try, but have bought a Pink Faun LAN Isolator, and an Acoustic Revive RLI-1GB-Triple C LAN Isolator.
The Pink Faun was cheaper than the Acoustic Revive.

 

[Mark38]

I've yet to try, but have bought a Pink Faun LAN Isolator, and an Acoustic Revive RLI-1GB-Triple C LAN Isolator.
The Pink Faun was cheaper than the Acoustic Revive.

Let us know what you think. The Isolators seem to suggest they reduce noise from other devices on the network, and that may be beneficial. In my case there is only one device on the network. But it still may be something interesting to check out .

AMR,
It would not be instead of the switches because what they do can be fine tuned to your taste with cabling. Something to consider though.

 

[7ryder]

In my case, I've tried isolators before and nothing has made the impact that my Melco S100 has made in my system. This includes upgrading my server to an Antipodes K50.

 

[jerrybj]

When my system is up and running, I'll have two LAN isolators and a modded Cisco 2960 network switch feeding my streamer and tv.
Looking at the possibility of a second switch which will have my modem, wifi router and Roon Core.

 

[Geir]

I use this chain from the homenetwork - In-Akustik reference ethernet cable - Sellarz Lan isolator - English Electric 8Switch - Ansuz A2 ethernet cable - Sellarz Lan isolator - Streamer.

Adding an English Electric switch improves clarity and makes the music more cohesive. Had the switch for a long time now, and I can say that it takes streaming to a different level. The improvements also depends on the quality of server and or streamer. I have testet the switch on more expensive equipment with better isolated inputs and the improvements wore not so noticeable. The quality of the ethernet cables is also very important, so every piece in chain increase the performance. With the Ansuz A2 ethernet cable the richness in the midrange is beautiful. So be aware of the ethernet cable from switch to the streamer. The Sellarz Lan isolator can be attached at the end of the ethernet cable, and for me the price/performance on this product is very good.

 

[rDin]

The Pink Fauns really do work, and I use quite a few here, BUT once I started upgrading my switches (now using SOTM into Melco S100) I found the Pink Fauns slightly degraded the sound out of those switches and removed them. So I no longer use them on the final audio switches but I still use them at various points around my network on the way to those switches, eg on the incoming WAN connection or on my Roon ROCK NUC etc. Basically anywhere audio might travel except directly from the audio switches.

Related to the galvanic isolation here, the biggest jump in sound quality was going fibre ethernet from the final audio switch into the audio endpoint which completely removes the network noise from the system.

 

[Geir]

The Pink Fauns really do work, and I use quite a few here, BUT once I started upgrading my switches (now using SOTM into Melco S100) I found the Pink Fauns slightly degraded the sound out of those switches and removed them. So I no longer use them on the final audio switches but I still use them at various points around my network on the way to those switches, eg on the incoming WAN connection or on my Roon ROCK NUC etc. Basically anywhere audio might travel except directly from the audio switches.

Related to the galvanic isolation here, the biggest jump in sound quality was going fibre ethernet from the final audio switch into the audio endpoint which completely removes the network noise from the system.

I also used Pink Faun, but I like the Sellarz more. Better clarity with the Sellarz. I tried the Sellarz on an Antipodes server, and it did change the sound, but not for the better. I think this is something one has to experiment a lot with to find out what works best your system. One thing is clear for me, this is an investment in sound quality.

 

[Gunnar]

Switches….. I am one of the guys who believes a switch can make a big difference. For sure it’s better to try prior buying if possible.

My first ”audiophile” switch was a Cisco 2960 bought about five years ago. Made a positive difference in my system, then a second Cisco. Slight improvement on just one Cisco.

I felt it would be better to get more out of switches so bought an EtherRegen when they came out. Replaced one of the Ciscos with the ER. Improvement? Yes. Then I added Farad Super3 to the ER. A big step up. Got an EE8 for trial. In my mind it was not on the same level as the ER.

As some other members already have said I say the same. The ER with a Farad Super3 is a very good starting point.

A year ago I took delivery of a Melco S100 modified by Pink Faun. Two Farad Super3 as LPS. A huge step up. True 6000 Euro for this setup is expensive but for me it’s impossible to go back to just the ER/Super3. (Does not mean that the ER is bad. Not at all).

The modified S100 is three times more expensive than the ER with one Super3. I have not had the possibility to compare a S100 to my modified S100 so can not comment on the standard S100 one.

I have my S100 between a Melco N1Z Gen1 and my streamer ND555. Sounded better to have it after the Melco than before. I also have an ADOT which is connected to the SFP input of the S100. So Melco -> Ethernet-> ADOT -> glassfibre -> S100. I use a glassfibre cable with Finisar as transceivers. I must say that the change to the glassfiber/Finisar also made an improvement.

Conclusion. I have just had positive experiences with adding switches . I believe when using a switch for audio it’s worth while considering and adding an external LPS.

I have also tried Pink Fauns Lan Isolater. For me it didn’t work. No improvement more the opposite.

Gunnar

 

[Mark38]

Great info there. And yes, the LPS are essential.

 

[rDin]

LPS can be transformative, particularly on digital gear. Easily the biggest "bang for the buck" upgrade I've heard with my gear. Good power is the foundation of good hi-fi.

 

[Gunnar]

Great info there. And yes, the LPS are essential.

Thanks, Yes, a LPS is essential. Even the power cord makes a difference. I tried three different. A cheap of the shelf, the one from Farad and a Vertere RedLine. No doubt that for me the last one gave the best sound. Softer more detailed and less hard than the Farad but more than three times more expensive. I use RedLines for the two Super3 powering my modified S100. For the other two LPS I use Farads power cords.