Since I am using the Antipodes K50 Musikserver the LAN connection is becoming the critical path in my digital set up.
From my times with Innuos Zenith III and Innuos Phoenix USB a Silent Angel Bonn N8 is in use to improve the LAN connection.
After a while the Bonn N8 was updated with a Keces P8 Power supply.
Without the Bonn N8 the sonic result was definitely compromised, interestingly even when listening to HD.
It seems, that ROON is creating a lot of traffic in the back.
From there the decision was taken, to improve the LAN connection even further.
A second Bonn N8 was placed between Router and wall distribution. The effect was audible as well.
Reading in some computer audio Forums gave me the idea, to stagg switches. I bought a bunch of Buffalo 2008 and 2016 , as there quality is good and they are cheap.
One Buffalo plus one Bonn N8 were very good sum, one pair between Router and wall distribution and one pair in front of the music server. Adding one more switch was a step back.
(in my set up)
Loaded with this experience I ordered the
Melco S-100 switch
www.the-ear.net
as the Melco as the reputation to be one of the best switches around.
Melco is a subbrand of Buffalo and their way into the challenge to improve a switch can start on another level. And they did!, and changed the program code to prioritize music files in the internal data management of the switch. The Melco has two sets of outputs, 100mb for AudioStreamer and 1000mb for MusicServer.
My Antipodes K50 preferred being connected to the 100mb output.
The Melco S-100 outperformed the Bonn N8 with ease. Both Switches are connected to the Keces P8, as the Melco is coming with a small wall power supply and need a better LPS to perform best as well.
To my surprise the Melco S -100 liked the additional Buffalo as well.
The level of improvement with the Melco S100 is like changing the DAC to a better level (at least in my system)
My understanding is going into the direction, that nowadays DACs are perform on a level, that the quality of the incoming signal is becoming more and more important.
And that the quality of the digital signal starts before the musicserver gets involved.
Adding a Keces P8 and a good DC cable to the Melco S-100 bill you will end up on the price level of the next star participating the switch market competition. The recently launched
Innuos Phoenix NET
parttimeaudiophile.com
is on the way to define the next level of quality.
The Innuos Phoenix NET has only 100mb outputs which is fine for my K50. The Innuos has the reduction of distortion and a reclocking on the list, so a little different approach to the Melco
In my system the Innuos Phoenix NET outperformed the Melco S-100 in front of the Musikserver, but between Router and Wall distribution the 1000mb output of the Melco S-100 provided the best performance.
And again the pairing with the simple Buffalo switch improved the result.
Depending on the personal set up the Melco S-100 or / and the Innuos Phoenix NET switch can make a big difference.
The difference is very similar as known from fair and good and very good CD Drives in the good old time of the CD.
A better digital signal gives obviously the best start to enjoy music from digital sources, and again to my surprise this is starting with the LAN Signal.
I am happy, that I did the trial with this relatively new class of components
(Different LAN cables were used, from standard to Wireworld Platinum)
From my times with Innuos Zenith III and Innuos Phoenix USB a Silent Angel Bonn N8 is in use to improve the LAN connection.
After a while the Bonn N8 was updated with a Keces P8 Power supply.
Without the Bonn N8 the sonic result was definitely compromised, interestingly even when listening to HD.
It seems, that ROON is creating a lot of traffic in the back.
From there the decision was taken, to improve the LAN connection even further.
A second Bonn N8 was placed between Router and wall distribution. The effect was audible as well.
Reading in some computer audio Forums gave me the idea, to stagg switches. I bought a bunch of Buffalo 2008 and 2016 , as there quality is good and they are cheap.
One Buffalo plus one Bonn N8 were very good sum, one pair between Router and wall distribution and one pair in front of the music server. Adding one more switch was a step back.
(in my set up)
Loaded with this experience I ordered the
Melco S-100 switch
Melco S100 | The Ear
I don’t suppose I was alone in thinking that Melco had gone too far when they announced the S100, a network switch with a £2,000 price tag. How on earth could
www.the-ear.net
as the Melco as the reputation to be one of the best switches around.
Melco is a subbrand of Buffalo and their way into the challenge to improve a switch can start on another level. And they did!, and changed the program code to prioritize music files in the internal data management of the switch. The Melco has two sets of outputs, 100mb for AudioStreamer and 1000mb for MusicServer.
My Antipodes K50 preferred being connected to the 100mb output.
The Melco S-100 outperformed the Bonn N8 with ease. Both Switches are connected to the Keces P8, as the Melco is coming with a small wall power supply and need a better LPS to perform best as well.
To my surprise the Melco S -100 liked the additional Buffalo as well.
The level of improvement with the Melco S100 is like changing the DAC to a better level (at least in my system)
My understanding is going into the direction, that nowadays DACs are perform on a level, that the quality of the incoming signal is becoming more and more important.
And that the quality of the digital signal starts before the musicserver gets involved.
Adding a Keces P8 and a good DC cable to the Melco S-100 bill you will end up on the price level of the next star participating the switch market competition. The recently launched
Innuos Phoenix NET
INNUOS Announces PhoenixNET Network Switch
Hi-Fi news, gear reviews, and interviews
parttimeaudiophile.com
is on the way to define the next level of quality.
The Innuos Phoenix NET has only 100mb outputs which is fine for my K50. The Innuos has the reduction of distortion and a reclocking on the list, so a little different approach to the Melco
In my system the Innuos Phoenix NET outperformed the Melco S-100 in front of the Musikserver, but between Router and Wall distribution the 1000mb output of the Melco S-100 provided the best performance.
And again the pairing with the simple Buffalo switch improved the result.
Depending on the personal set up the Melco S-100 or / and the Innuos Phoenix NET switch can make a big difference.
The difference is very similar as known from fair and good and very good CD Drives in the good old time of the CD.
A better digital signal gives obviously the best start to enjoy music from digital sources, and again to my surprise this is starting with the LAN Signal.
I am happy, that I did the trial with this relatively new class of components
(Different LAN cables were used, from standard to Wireworld Platinum)
