Marcin,
I share your opinion on local quality, which remains very superior for the time being; can you answer my question?
Why We Built the XACT N1 – A No-Compromise Network Switch for Audiophiles
- Thread starter Marcin_gps
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I share your opinion on local quality, which remains very superior for the time being; can you answer my question?
But have you tried an optical link? I thought wi-fi was great, until I tried ethernet. I thought ethernet was great until I tried optical, for the 50' run from my NAS to my audio system.
Most of us who use fiber optics, me included, connect to our streamer with an ethernet cable. The optical link comes upstream, and that setup is accommodated by the XACT N1, as well as other switches having an SFP port. Connect to the N1 via high quality fiber optics, connect to the streamer via the isolated RJ45 LAN port.
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But @Marcin_gps did not say "very superior". He said "It’s not that streaming sounds significantly worse – not at all.", which I agree with 100%, given the same release.
In the well-sorted networks I am familiar with, there is a barely perceptible sound quality difference in favour of local files. The difference is, with local files, I get to play my DSD, 2X DSD, 4X DSD and DXD content, which is not possible with internet streaming.
Hi José,
Thank you for your interest in the XACT N1.
Whether SFP or RJ45 is preferable really depends on the specific system, but in general, SFP is a good way to isolate the audio path from the rest of the home network.
Regarding your comment about "listening to a hard disk via iPad in wifi"—I’m not entirely sure I follow.
Best regards,
Marcin
sorry for my bad English.
the question is: in your opinion, is there any influence of the switch when it comes to local playback on hard disk? In the specific case where only an iPad is used with wifi and no ethernet cable connected
Marcin
So, if I've understood correctly, you prefer to use an SFP input on the N1, which would mean that you first make an optical bridge, right?
perhaps you could indicate the diagram (including the N1) that you recommend from the internet box?
It sounds like you are asking about playing local files, from a hard drive to a streamer, using an iPad via wi-fi as a controller, is that correct? If so, the iPad has no effect on sound quality, as it is only directing traffic, it is not in the playback chain. Any good switch, certainly the N1, would definitely have a positive impact on the sound.
If my assumption about your setup is incorrect, it would be helpful for you to list your gear and describe the system.
As I wrote on the previous page: If network control is involved, then the impact can be just as significant as when streaming from Tidal or Qobuz.
Actually, it’s not entirely true that the iPad has no effect on sound quality. While it’s correct that the iPad doesn’t touch the audio data directly and isn’t part of the playback chain in the traditional sense, it can still have a small—but audible—influence on sound.
That’s why connecting the access point to the N1 switch and using high-quality LAN cables can have a very positive impact on overall system performance. Even control traffic and network topology can affect timing, noise levels, and ultimately the perceived sound.
It is the same with JPLAY app which is used as a remote app for XACT S1 / S1 EVO music servers (and many other devices from other hi-fi manufacturers, now officially JPLAY Certified: https://jplay.app/partner-program). In theory, it should have no impact on sound quality, but it's not that simple. Through careful optimization of the way the app interacts with a music server or streamer we can get a noticable improvement in sound quality which is now confirmed by many reviewers and customers worldwide.
Best regards,
Marcin
I would make a distinction between the controller (iPad in this case), vs. the software. I wholeheartedly agree that software (Roon, JPLAY, UPnP, Audirvana, HQPlayer, etc.) affect sound quality, but the device (iPad, iPhone, Android phone, laptop, etc.), hosting the software does not.
Based on my own listening experience and feedback from others in the community, even the control device can have a subtle but audible influence on sound quality — especially in highly resolving systems. It's a nuanced effect, but one that's led me to treat the entire network path, including the controller device. In other words: JPLAY app on my iPad Pro (3-rd generation) 'sounds' better than on my iPhone 14 Pro.
So while I fully agree that software plays a major role, I’ve also come to appreciate that hardware — even seemingly peripheral components — can make a difference too.
Best regards,
Marcin
We sure are alike in this regard Marcin!
Although I am getting less fond of accumulating polycarbonate discs (storage space and the environment both suffer), I think/hope the artists make a bit more money with the sale of physical media...
...this has been noted by owners of another brand as well, with experiments between phone/tablet brands, and wired vs. WiFi. Not all has been explained/discovered yet, perhaps, but it does seem to be the case, even if unexpectedly so.
Maybe you did hear it—you just weren’t aware. Same for switches and like I’ve said before, I’m not swapping switches because I enjoy it, but the results do pay off. I still hope streamers will eventually solve all network-related issues as an all-in-one solution. But most of us seem to love (or live for) tweaking and tuning.
So, if we accept that even the control device can make a difference, it makes sense to experiment with how we choose, operate, and connect it. Hearing is believing—here are a few things to try:
- Connect to separate control and not audio networks (e.g. VLANs or access points more upstream).
- Close background apps and disable notifications on control device.
- As Marcin experienced, choose low-noise devices—some are quieter than others.
- Keep control devices physically away from audio gear.
- Use wired control where possible to reduce wireless noise.
- Use a dedicated device just for control tasks (only control app).
- Use the Downtime feature on the iPad (Screen Time -> Downtime).
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I hear you, Marcin. But as things stand today, that means local files with the N1 connected (or XACT S1 and switch OS ) to provide an uplift—instead of pulling the network cable after the playlist starts to eliminate any residual network-borne noise or interference… something you yourself were still doing not too long ago, right?
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That was more like an experiment rather than a solutionI hear you, Marcin. But as things stand today, that means local files with the N1 connected (or XACT S1 and switch OS ) to provide an uplift—instead of pulling the network cable after the playlist starts to eliminate any residual network-borne noise or interference… something you yourself were still doing not too long ago, right?
That was more like an experiment rather than a solution
I know, but it turned out to be a wonderfully practical and honest solution.
Your point about native DSD and having full control over the ripping process makes a lot of sense. I can definitely see how that adds not just a sonic benefit but also an archival and even emotional value to local playback that streaming can’t quite offer — at least not yet.
That said, since many of your recent innovations like the N1 and switch OS seem to bring real gains to streamed playback, I’m still wondering: even if it’s not the main objective, do you see a point where XACT systems might allow streaming to not only match, but maybe even surpass local playback — at least for PCM content?
And more from a technical side — would you say that the N1 and switch OS are solving issues that are specific to streaming (like jitter, timing, or network noise), or are they more general improvements that just happen to benefit both local and streamed playback?
Interestingly, some listeners already prefer streaming via the XACT S1 or S1 EVO over local playback — and that's without yet hearing what the N1 switch can add. For example, in his review of the S1, Christiaan Punter noted that some albums actually sounded better when streamed than from local files. So yes, it really depends.
As I mentioned earlier, it also comes down to the specific version of the album you have ripped, and how it was ripped. There are many variables at play, and I don’t want to oversimplify the topic — though I get the sense you're looking for a clear-cut answer, I’m afraid there isn’t one.
What I can say with confidence is that the N1 brings sonic improvements regardless of whether you're streaming or playing local files. Its effect is system-wide and not tied to one specific playback source.
Best regards,
Marcin
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