Yes absolutely. I have no doubt. I have tested a few times with a temp probe and I am no tech re the why and wherefore but it is consistent. Maybe the ER works less harder under one than the other. Maybe internal power supplies, dealing with HF noise .....I don't know. I haven't measured the outputs. It is interesting. All Sboosters are switchable in a small range.
SOtM sNH-10G Network Switches x2 : The NEW KING of USB/Network Gadget Setup
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Hello brothers,
Thank you for your support and compliments for my reports of #221 to #224 in this thread.
Now is an update :
My audiophile group had a gathering again last night.
Because one of us - the system owner has bought a Taiko Audio Extreme Server!
(Previously he used a diy Linux OS CAS desktop)
We repeated the tests on SOtM and EtherRegen on the Extreme Server.
Please be informed that the findings/conclusion summarized by #221 to #224 still applied to/held true for the Extreme Server!
BTW I mentioned on #243 that a good ethernet cable should be added to a dual-SOtM switches (connected by optical fiber) so as to give the system more musicality.
We confirmed this suggestion of mine on the Extreme Server too last night.
Adding a Dalby Audio Meda ethernet cable to the network pathway is so important and enjoyable!
We shall let that Extreme to have more burn-in for a few weeks more first, then we will find ways to further enhance its performance.
Will keep WBF brother updated for sure!
Thank you for your support and compliments for my reports of #221 to #224 in this thread.
Now is an update :
My audiophile group had a gathering again last night.
Because one of us - the system owner has bought a Taiko Audio Extreme Server!
(Previously he used a diy Linux OS CAS desktop)
We repeated the tests on SOtM and EtherRegen on the Extreme Server.
Please be informed that the findings/conclusion summarized by #221 to #224 still applied to/held true for the Extreme Server!
BTW I mentioned on #243 that a good ethernet cable should be added to a dual-SOtM switches (connected by optical fiber) so as to give the system more musicality.
We confirmed this suggestion of mine on the Extreme Server too last night.
Adding a Dalby Audio Meda ethernet cable to the network pathway is so important and enjoyable!
We shall let that Extreme to have more burn-in for a few weeks more first, then we will find ways to further enhance its performance.
Will keep WBF brother updated for sure!
As a summary, I have been connecting my 2 sotm switches via fibre , in turn both fed by Mutech Ref10, -120db as a 10M master, but with the 1st Sotm connected via cybershaft 7m clock cable.
This may not have been optimal at such a distance.
As i now have a spare OCXO from the Ref 10, that is a Mutech > -116db unit i decided to make a connection directly to a spare BNC i had from my CCTV installations
as a temporary trial instead of mounting the module inside the unit, if even possible!
This is just temporary, i will need to get a tech to professionally install, elimination the cheap connector and fl cable connection the Sotm Sclk Ex card inside the Sotm switch.
What is again the initial most prominent effect, that was in line with upgrading the Ref 10 to a -120db unit was a vast improvement in bass.
Without much warm up, maybe 15 minutes the bass again has transformed which was immediately apparent, with such concise and impactful was my first immediate observation.
Secondly, the improvement in spatial details , dynamics, definition and separation of sounds came flooding to my ears! All these along with a lower noise floor.
No critical listening needed, what i can say is that i am just left speechless!
I was not prepared to custom order a 7 meter decent audiophile branded clock cable which i was quoted at $4.5K and this would still be the cheapest clock cable i would have in the system.
Although, the Ref10's OCXO used was not the -120db unit being previously fed to the switch.
This proves again and verifies my findings that clock cables are very, very important no matter what clock you are using.
Even a cheap clock which CK tested and concluded to also sound good via a Valhalla 2 clock cable and performance soars with every upgrade of better clocks, cables, PSU and vibration management.
I will update once it can be connected directly into the switch as a reference clock.
It is a never ending spiral indeed!
This may not have been optimal at such a distance.
As i now have a spare OCXO from the Ref 10, that is a Mutech > -116db unit i decided to make a connection directly to a spare BNC i had from my CCTV installations
as a temporary trial instead of mounting the module inside the unit, if even possible!This is just temporary, i will need to get a tech to professionally install, elimination the cheap connector and fl cable connection the Sotm Sclk Ex card inside the Sotm switch.
What is again the initial most prominent effect, that was in line with upgrading the Ref 10 to a -120db unit was a vast improvement in bass.
Without much warm up, maybe 15 minutes the bass again has transformed which was immediately apparent, with such concise and impactful was my first immediate observation.
Secondly, the improvement in spatial details , dynamics, definition and separation of sounds came flooding to my ears! All these along with a lower noise floor.
No critical listening needed, what i can say is that i am just left speechless!
I was not prepared to custom order a 7 meter decent audiophile branded clock cable which i was quoted at $4.5K and this would still be the cheapest clock cable i would have in the system.
Although, the Ref10's OCXO used was not the -120db unit being previously fed to the switch.
This proves again and verifies my findings that clock cables are very, very important no matter what clock you are using.
Even a cheap clock which CK tested and concluded to also sound good via a Valhalla 2 clock cable and performance soars with every upgrade of better clocks, cables, PSU and vibration management.
I will update once it can be connected directly into the switch as a reference clock.
It is a never ending spiral indeed!
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So, at which of Dante's Nine Circles of Hell are you now at?
Lol... uhmmm the digital one, the analogue circle of hell is on another level... now where did I put that stacore + taina and daiza with my $14k urushi retip.
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I guess after all these years , i should be close to reaching the eternal end!
But surely am in Cloud Nine now!
Hi Kris,
Yes, it was immediately apparent.
It looks conclusive in my view as previously stated the importance of the clock cables.
A -116db unit with a great clock cable will sound better than a -120db unit using a merely good clock cable.
So this has been a huge improvement over and above comparing a -116db and -120db units.
I believe Sotm would be possible accommodate possible retrofitting one of their OCXO directly in their switch as a package.
The improvement looks to me to be easily better than say even using something like a Shunyata Sigma clock cable connecting an external clock to the switch.
Yes, it was immediately apparent.
It looks conclusive in my view as previously stated the importance of the clock cables.
A -116db unit with a great clock cable will sound better than a -120db unit using a merely good clock cable.
So this has been a huge improvement over and above comparing a -116db and -120db units.
I believe Sotm would be possible accommodate possible retrofitting one of their OCXO directly in their switch as a package.
The improvement looks to me to be easily better than say even using something like a Shunyata Sigma clock cable connecting an external clock to the switch.
I have seen the results of the noize transmission from few 7 different master clocks comparison.
that was done some time ago and with older 10 mhz clocks .
unfrtunate that time the conclusion was that there is little MORE noize with MC than with on board normal clock.
cables and distance from generator adds this noize to the clock signal.
more noize does not neccessary means worst SQ. What we are hearing as improvement might be the elevation of special kind of noise in the soectrum.
please see:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/does-your-studio-need-digital-master-clock
Very interesting and scientific way of showing things.
Nowdays we have much better clocks with much less noise, so it would be great to perform soch comparison nowdays.
Can anyone of you perform this kind of test ?
that was done some time ago and with older 10 mhz clocks .
unfrtunate that time the conclusion was that there is little MORE noize with MC than with on board normal clock.
cables and distance from generator adds this noize to the clock signal.
more noize does not neccessary means worst SQ. What we are hearing as improvement might be the elevation of special kind of noise in the soectrum.
please see:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/does-your-studio-need-digital-master-clock
Very interesting and scientific way of showing things.
Nowdays we have much better clocks with much less noise, so it would be great to perform soch comparison nowdays.
Can anyone of you perform this kind of test ?
Hi Guys and especially CK,
Emile did a shootout and it seems our beloved soTm switch lost. I too have a soTm fully upgraded version and am in the midst of getting a second one, should I get an ER as a second switch (safe some cash as well) or a SoTm upgraded switch? If I get the SoTm, should I change out the copper wires or just leave it. Frankly, in my system after the upgrade was done to the SoTm switch, it was WOW moment for me.
Any advise would be very welcome. Thank you so much all. Stay safe with this virus guys. Health is wealth.
Emile did a shootout and it seems our beloved soTm switch lost. I too have a soTm fully upgraded version and am in the midst of getting a second one, should I get an ER as a second switch (safe some cash as well) or a SoTm upgraded switch? If I get the SoTm, should I change out the copper wires or just leave it. Frankly, in my system after the upgrade was done to the SoTm switch, it was WOW moment for me.
Any advise would be very welcome. Thank you so much all. Stay safe with this virus guys. Health is wealth.
Diff systems and can be diff taste too.
I fully respect Emile's choice.
However I have listened to SOtM and ER many times in diff systems.
I stand by my personal view/choices.
Try and listen with our own ears before taking out the wallet is my recommendation.
Hi CK,Diff systems and can be diff taste too.
I fully respect Emile's choice.
However I have listened to SOtM and ER many times in diff systems.
I stand by my personal view/choices.
Try and listen with our own ears before taking out the wallet is my recommendation.
Thank you so much for the prompt reply sir. I have the utmost respect regarding ur input and also the time you put aside to make ur recommendations. I love SoTm products and am a fanboy I must admit. My entire digital front is SoTm including cables. I have had very good experience with May and her customer service is of the highest order. I hope I can lay hands on an ER just to hear it in action.
CK, would you recommend I go with the full upgraded version or skip the silver wires but do the caps and ebs? My current unit is with the silver cables, not to worry, I'm not going to point a gun at your head. LOL.
Thank you and also all the others in advance for any forth coming inputs. Cheers and happy listening.
Among my many friends who own single SOtM switch or SOtMx2, only one of them sent his SOtM back to Korea for replacement of the internal silver wires to copper wires.
Diff systems and can be diff taste too.
I fully respect Emile's choice.
However I have listened to SOtM and ER many times in diff systems.
I stand by my personal view/choices.
Try and listen with our own ears before taking out the wallet is my recommendation.
I suspect that Dalby Meda ethernet cable may alleviate some of my issues with it
As you wrote: Yes, most of my SOtM switch user friends got a Vertere HB ethernet cable or Dalby Audio Meda ethernet cable in their CAS network pathway.I suspect that Dalby Meda ethernet cable may alleviate some of my issues with it
Yes, most of my SOtM switch user friends got a Vertere HB ethernet cable or Dalby Audio Meda ethernet cable in their CAS network pathway.
I did clearly write they are ahead of all others in clarity, transparency and background black levels, especially when stacked:
I can fully see ethernet cable matching and/or external clocking changing things. So please read my "comparisons" within it's context, it is just one other view.
In Emile’s piece on switches there was a lot of talk about ‘glare’ with certain configurations, along with reported loss of air, soundstage size etc. In my experience, the 2 have always gone hand in hand....the loss of detail seemingly caused by a loss of resolution. That missing detail doesn’t disappear from the data stream, its just not resolved from the other music so is added to the music as a haze or ‘glare’. In the past I often noticed that when i would add something like a new cable or indeed anything more resolving the result would be a combination of added detail AND reduced glare.
In Emile’s testing, there were many combined variables, due to the nature of the switches and the need to link devices via cables. For me, while it made very interesting reading, I would not assume that my system will react in exactly the same way to produce the same results.
In Emile’s testing, there were many combined variables, due to the nature of the switches and the need to link devices via cables. For me, while it made very interesting reading, I would not assume that my system will react in exactly the same way to produce the same results.
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