SOtM sNH-10G Switch : Mods & Tweaks!

[CKKeung]

IMHO an audiophile switch is a mandatory components for all CAS audiophiles.
My favourite audiophile switches in the current market are SOtM sNH-10G, Melco S-100 and Telegartner M12 Gold.
I shared my views on them on various WBF threads before.
They possess diff sonic characters and if used in a dual-switch config, the mix&match of their sonics can make all CAS audiophiles happy.

Amongst the three of them, I like the SOtM very much but some friends of mine think that it's a bit lean in the midrange and the bass is a bit light.

Therefore let me share with you two mods/tweaks for remedy.

Mod/Tweak One :

When ordering the SOtM sNH-10G, buyers may select 7N UPOCC copper or silver stranded internal wires as an option.

https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/shop/snh-10g/

Here are photos showing that these wires are just plug&play.




Audio Sensibility makes a much better internal wire for the SOtM switch.
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/




So what's the replacement result?
Improved musicality, richness & bass!

Easy and completely reversible.
Inexpensive.
This is a must-try for every SOtM switch owners!


I will post Mod Two very soon.
Pls stay tuned.

 

[CKKeung]

Mod Number Two :

An optional sCLK-EX clock card can be added to the SOtM switch internally.
The clock card sits over the main switch circuit board and is connected to it by 2 slender clock cables.



However I guess most sNH-10G switch owners cannot resist the temption of adding a good external 10M clock to the switch.


My favorite 10M audiophile clock is the Cybershaft made in Japan.
The built and effect are unquestionable.
The only pitfall is that all good audiophile 10M clocks are not cheap.

Edison, boss of N&E Audio in Hong Kong talked with my friends and I about his idea :
"The clock freq used by the switch board is 25M, not 10M. If the switch is given a 10M clock signal, it has to be converted to 25M, involving additional circuitry.

Also using an external 10M clock also means additional sockets, plugs, cable & soldering. All of these are detrimental to jitter/sound. "

Edison's solution is to add a 25M clock board inside the SOtM switch, much nearer to the switch circuit board than any other external audiophile clocks.

It's neat & tidy!


The ocxo module on Edison's clock card is from the famous Connor Winfield (http://www.conwin.com/oscillators-ocxo.html).
Although it may not be as good as those used in Cybershaft or Mutec, his direct approach does have many advantages.

Due to the COVID-19 semi-lockdown in HK, I am unable to do a direct comparison of Edison-modded-SOtM against SOtM+Cybershaft but Edison's mod gives very good sonic improvement typical of good clocking, and at a very very affordable price.


If any WBF brothers have interest, you may communicate with Edison directly at :
https://nandeaudio.com/contact/

 

[Levitator]

Thanks CK for sharing - my SOtM switch is on order so mod 1 looks like a no brainer to me! Given I've already got the Cybershaft clock, I'll wait to see how this sounds before changing anything.

With Mod 1, is this sold as a single item or do you need to construct yourself? I couldn't see anywhere obvious where it is sold as a single item...

Thanks again!

 

[CKKeung]

With Mod 1, is this sold as a single item or do you need to construct yourself? I couldn't see anywhere obvious where it is sold as a single item...
Thanks again!

Pls communicate directly with Audio Sensibility.
My friends bought theirs 2 months ago at usd100 each and the shipping was usd30.

 

[Abyss Man]

Thank you CK, I have contacted AS and awaiting reply.

 

[Abyss Man]

Thanks CK for sharing - my SOtM switch is on order so mod 1 looks like a no brainer to me! Given I've already got the Cybershaft clock, I'll wait to see how this sounds before changing anything.

With Mod 1, is this sold as a single item or do you need to construct yourself? I couldn't see anywhere obvious where it is sold as a single item...

Thanks again!

Hi,
If you do get in touch with them please share the details here and I will do likewise. I sent a message on FB messenger but it’s been 2 days now and have yet to hear from them. Thank so much.

 

[CKKeung]

Hi,
If you do get in touch with them please share the details here and I will do likewise. I sent a message on FB messenger but it’s been 2 days now and have yet to hear from them. Thank so much.

steven.huang@audiosensibility.com

 

[Abyss Man]

Thank you CK, as always, u the man. Stay safe sir.

 

[Abyss Man]

Hi guys,
Just an update, and CK I'm sorry if I'm highjacking your thread. Steven replied and I'm in the process of ordering it. Please fwd mails to sales@audiosensibility.com for those who are interested. He can also make the cables for the sms-200 and tx-usb ultra, please enquire.

 

[CKKeung]

Hi guys,
Just an update, and CK I'm sorry if I'm highjacking your thread. Steven replied and I'm in the process of ordering it. Please fwd mails to sales@audiosensibility.com for those who are interested. He can also make the cables for the sms-200 and tx-usb ultra, please enquire.

Most welcome!
I don't consider it as hijacking.
It's actually friendly & helpful info sharing for WBF brothers.

 

[Levitator]

Thanks Abyss Man for the update! Can I ask what you specifically requested in relation to the SOtM switch and what sort of pricing (ex shipping) you were quoted?
cheers

 

[Abyss Man]

Just send a mail to either Steven or to the sales, they will respond. It was US90 for the switch cable but I forgot to ask him if it’s copper or silver, I will ask him once they reply me with shipping price.

 

[Abyss Man]

Order placed, USD220 including shipping for Silver cables, cannot wait for it to arrive.

 

[Levitator]

Nice one! Keep us posted on how you go...

 

[Abyss Man]

Will do.

 

[Xymox]

wow... cool ! Gotta love the passion for audio that pushes these things to the limits

BUT I have a question.. What if you have 2 SoTM's in series, a CH Precision T1 clock and the clock drives the SoTMs and the CH Precision C1 dual chassis DAC. I kinda like the idea of having all the clocks phase locked together. OR maybe it is better to use isolated clocks in each device for isolation ? Tying all the SoTM, T1 and C1 together with the clock line does produce less isolation..

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Gotta have the wire for sure

 

[Abyss Man]

In my case, my soTm front is clocked with a soTm master clock, as for my DAC, I’m using the Terminator plus which has a clock within and can be used to sync a number of Denafrips products like the Gaia, Avatar etc. It uses a ocxo clock but in varying divisions of 10mHz.

 

[CKKeung]

BUT I have a question.. What if you have 2 SoTM's in series, a CH Precision T1 clock and the clock drives the SoTMs and the CH Precision C1 dual chassis DAC. I kinda like the idea of having all the clocks phase locked together. OR maybe it is better to use isolated clocks in each device for isolation ? Tying all the SoTM, T1 and C1 together with the clock line does produce less isolation..

Hi Xymox,
If you have T1, the best audiophile 10M clock with mulitple clock outputs, your C1 and SOtMs should have been syned and well taken care of.

But of course you may consider installing a ocxo clock board into your router.

In fact a friend of mine who had a CH Precision C1.1 dac clocked by a Cybershaft wanted to optimized his dual-switch (SOtM & Buffalo 2016A) and his Netgear router and asked for Edison's help.

The solution is to install the ocxo clock board in the Buffalo switch and then install two 25M clock outputs from it to syn the Netgear router and the SOtM switch.
Very good sonic result but I can't tell how it's compared with each CAS components having its own ocxo internally.
At least the total tweak cost is lower.

Here is a photo showing his SOtM switch installed with a clock input socket to accept external 25M clock signal.

 

[vutranchitam]

Dear CK, thank for sharing your good work. I would like to ask how much % your double SOTM switch could improve from 1 AQVOX SE switch? I am considering upgrading. Many thanks.

 

[CKKeung]

Dear CK, thank for sharing your good work. I would like to ask how much % your double SOTM switch could improve from 1 AQVOX SE switch? I am considering upgrading. Many thanks.

Hi vutranchitam,
Sorry, I dont have any experience in the AQVOX SE switch.
The best audiophile switches in the market currently are SOtM, Melco S100 & Telegartner M12 Gold.
For the dual-switch config, I like SOtM+S100 most, followed by SOtM x2.

Thanks.