Why We Built the XACT N1 – A No-Compromise Network Switch for Audiophiles

[Rotatoubib]

Di-fi, i agree with you. I actually test the S1 Evo and N1 switch, and first of all Edgerouter X SFP Is difficult to find in France, and lastly I am not ready to face a tricky configuration! By the way, what about a simple optical bridge as a Gustard N18 switch, by example?

 

[Di-fi]

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.

Reading back through everything, and with the goal of making the proper connections for the best sound quality, using as few devices as possible:

For a at home situation with EdgeRouter X SFP:

• Would you recommend connecting the access point (for the control apps) directly to the audio router, or to the N1?
• And similarly, should the NAS connect directly to the audio router, or to the N1?

I just want to make sure I’m wiring things in the most optimal way for SQ

 

[Di-fi]

Di-fi, i agree with you. I actually test the S1 Evo and N1 switch, and first of all Edgerouter X SFP Is difficult to find in France, and lastly I am not ready to face a tricky configuration! By the way, what about a simple optical bridge as a Gustard N18 switch, by example?

When it comes to achieving the best sound quality, it’s important to remember that a switch and a router don’t do the same thing — at all. In my opinion, many audiophiles overlook the router’s critical role in preventing noise (from traffic, PSUs, and other network devices) from ever reaching the final switch, streamer, or DAC.

I think in audio we ideally want a separate audio network — whether that’s physical, virtual (like using a VPN), or a combination of both. (One of) the audio router’s role is to block off the rest of the home network, isolating the audio chain. The switch, on the other hand, can only forward or distribute traffic; it doesn’t isolate noise or segment the network on its own.

In the end, it’s all about making sure the DAC receives the cleanest, quietest signal possible. That said, whether you can actually hear the difference does depend on your specific system and network setup.

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If Marcin can help set you up, here you go:

Edgerouter X SFP

Amazon.fr

(you pay a premium, but it seems available).

Do take note of this, you also have to buy a pair of the recommended SFP optical transceivers:

Fiber from the EdgeRouter X SFP with Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL (hands down the best sounding SFP modules) goes to the SFP port in the XACT N1 — also fitted with the same Finisar module.

A good second choice : FTLF1318P3BTL
And single-mode optical fiber cable with LC to LC connection. (A yellow cable with blue connectors).


Bonne chance!

PS. Did I say how lucky you are you can audition N1 + S1? Enjoy, and I hope you will be tempted to keep both!

 

[Marcin_gps]

When it comes to configuring the EdgeRouter X for this audiophile application, do you think it’s realistic for the average user to handle? While the hardware is excellent, EdgeRouter configuration can be tricky — EdgeOS GUI, static IPs, routing, VLANs… it feels like potential bottlenecks for users who aren’t familiar with networking.

Have you ever considered providing a pre-made config or a simple step-by-step guide, so users can just connect something like the N1 without worrying about network headaches? That could really help make this high-level setup more approachable.

Thanks!

I can prepare a step-by-step guide along with a pre-configured settings file, specifically tailored for customers who purchase the XACT N1. This way, one will be able to enjoy the full performance potential of the N1 switch without having to dive deep into network settings.

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[agisthos]

@Marcin_gps
I just tried the /28 subnet on a Cisco Meraki MX64... boy you can notice the improvement. Its a shame most will never know as this requires network configuration knowledge that most do not have. A settings file for the Edgerouter X would be great.

What do you theorize is going on here? The fact the router is only serving 16 potential addresses vs 256? Less scanning over the network?

What other tricks are you holding back on us Marcin !!

 

[Marcin_gps]

Reading back through everything, and with the goal of making the proper connections for the best sound quality, using as few devices as possible:

For a at home situation with EdgeRouter X SFP:

• Would you recommend connecting the access point (for the control apps) directly to the audio router, or to the N1?
• And similarly, should the NAS connect directly to the audio router, or to the N1?

I just want to make sure I’m wiring things in the most optimal way for SQ

It doesn't necessarily have to be the EdgeRouter X SFP. I recommend it because I've had very good results with Ubiquiti gear, and with a bit of tweaking, you can extract even better sound quality from it. But other routers can work too — even those with built-in Wi-Fi — as long as they have an SFP port.

As for wiring:

• You can connect your NAS directly to the N1, but I recommend connecting the Wi-Fi access point to the router and isolating it via fiber.
• The N1 switch should ideally only be used for “audio” devices — such as your streamer, music server, or network DAC — to keep the signal path as clean and low-noise as possible.

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[Marcin_gps]

Di-fi, i agree with you. I actually test the S1 Evo and N1 switch, and first of all Edgerouter X SFP Is difficult to find in France, and lastly I am not ready to face a tricky configuration! By the way, what about a simple optical bridge as a Gustard N18 switch, by example?

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of configuring a new router, then yes — a device like the Gustard N18 can serve perfectly well as an intermediary between your existing router and the XACT N1.

You can use the SFP of the N18 to create a plug & play fiber link to the SFP port on the N1, effectively isolating your audio network without needing to change your current router setup.

 

[Marcin_gps]

@Marcin_gps
I just tried the /28 subnet on a Cisco Meraki MX64... boy you can notice the improvement. Its a shame most will never know as this requires network configuration knowledge that most do not have. A settings file for the Edgerouter X would be great.

What do you theorize is going on here? The fact the router is only serving 16 potential addresses vs 256? Less scanning over the network?

What other tricks are you holding back on us Marcin !!

I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Yes, in our experience too, reducing the subnet to 16 addresses (e.g., /28) instead of the typical 256 (/24) has a very noticeable impact on sound quality — tighter focus, lower perceived noise floor, and better dynamics. It might seem minor from a networking perspective, but in high-end audio systems, every reduction in background traffic counts.

Your guess is very close — with a smaller address pool, the router and connected devices spend less time broadcasting, scanning, renewing DHCP leases, etc. There’s also less multicast and ARP noise, especially in consumer-grade networks with mixed IoT devices.

I'm considering publishing a ready-to-use config file for the EdgeRouter X SFP along with a step-by-step guide or blog post. That could help more users experience these benefits without diving too deep into CLI and network theory.

More soon!

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[Di-fi]

It doesn't necessarily have to be the EdgeRouter X SFP

Indeed, besides the EdgeRouter X, I’ve had good results with the fairly inexpensive MikroTik CRS305 — featuring (4) SFP+ ports and (1) RJ45 port (SFP+ not for speed, but for reduced noise). It runs on RouterOS BUT without someone giving you the right settings or a clear guide, you might just be adding another potential noise source, or you might leave a lot of performance on the table.

I'm considering publishing a ready-to-use config file for the EdgeRouter X SFP along with a step-by-step guide or blog post

Marcin, that shows how much you care not just about pushing the edge of audio performance, but also about making that performance accessible to others. If I may add two small wishes to elimate noise further: please consider offering a second XACT N1 config file version for internet-isolated, local-only playback (no cloud services), or maybe even a also likely less noisy Roonless version. Looking forward to seeing what you publish!

 

[MarkusBarkus]

While the hardware is excellent, EdgeRouter configuration can be tricky

...100% yup.

 

[sns109]

In regard to control device having impact on sound quality. I suspect this due to injecting wifi noise via control device into network, a LAN connection will eliminate that. So I've tried audiophile switches, the kind with modified boards and lps, prefer my setup sans any switch. My setup divides network, a clean side for audio, dirty for whole house. The clean side starts at Modem with Broadcom chip vs Intel, this powered via lps, feeds gaming Netgear router, wifi disabled, this also powered via LPS. 1GB cable internet service feed is in listening room directly next to audio system so all internet cables short runs. Dirty side network router with wifi enabled connects to clean side router via LAN cable, I run tablet control device from dirty side via wifi.

Eliminating wifi from clean side of network was a relatively large upgrade for me, wifi contaminates network via high levels of EMI/RFI, any router running wifi on audio network will degrade sq. In regard to running N1 in my setup I'd have to retain present router, the switch would be another added component in streaming chain. I can eliminate my router altogether via Dejitter it Switch X as it can assign IP address to dirty side router, the switch X also eliminates network traffic via eliminating the constant pinging of network devices.

By the way, I run JCAT Netcard XE and run JCAT Optimo ATX with my custom build streamer, both are great products. In my setup steams are equal to 3k cd rips on NAS powered via LPS, the quality of the recording is the sole variable.

 

[Citation]

Is there a cellular router that you'd recommend. I don't see any with SFP ports.

 

[springson]

I am using the N1 for my Jcat xact S1 EVO and Wadax reference and wadax Studio Player. it is much better than S1 EVO as switch！It's best one switch, which I used in the past， such as ....

 

[Marcin_gps]

Is there a cellular router that you'd recommend. I don't see any with SFP ports.

If you’re looking for a home router with a built-in Wi-Fi access point and SFP port, this MikroTik model seems like a solid option:
https://mikrotik.com/product/l009uigs_2haxd_in

Unless you were referring to a SIM card router?

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[Marcin_gps]

I am using the N1 for my Jcat xact S1 EVO and Wadax reference and wadax Studio Player. it is much better than S1 EVO as switch！It's best one switch, which I used in the past， such as ....

Thank you for your feedback — much appreciated! We've been hearing similar impressions from others as well

It's great to know the N1 is performing so well in your system.

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[orange55]

I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Yes, in our experience too, reducing the subnet to 16 addresses (e.g., /28) instead of the typical 256 (/24) has a very noticeable impact on sound quality — tighter focus, lower perceived noise floor, and better dynamics. It might seem minor from a networking perspective, but in high-end audio systems, every reduction in background traffic counts.

Your guess is very close — with a smaller address pool, the router and connected devices spend less time broadcasting, scanning, renewing DHCP leases, etc. There’s also less multicast and ARP noise, especially in consumer-grade networks with mixed IoT devices.

I'm considering publishing a ready-to-use config file for the EdgeRouter X SFP along with a step-by-step guide or blog post. That could help more users experience these benefits without diving too deep into CLI and network theory.

More soon!

Best regards,
Marcin

Does changing lease time on the router make any difference?

 

[springson]

Hi, marcin, thanks for your efforts. One question

recently, I found the Wadax server don't work well through the isolated. I can find it's ip in router and it can connect to the N1. When I use it a week ago, it worked well! Why?

 

[Ampman]

I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Yes, in our experience too, reducing the subnet to 16 addresses (e.g., /28) instead of the typical 256 (/24) has a very noticeable impact on sound quality — tighter focus, lower perceived noise floor, and better dynamics. It might seem minor from a networking perspective, but in high-end audio systems, every reduction in background traffic counts.

Your guess is very close — with a smaller address pool, the router and connected devices spend less time broadcasting, scanning, renewing DHCP leases, etc. There’s also less multicast and ARP noise, especially in consumer-grade networks with mixed IoT devices.

I'm considering publishing a ready-to-use config file for the EdgeRouter X SFP along with a step-by-step guide or blog post. That could help more users experience these benefits without diving too deep into CLI and network theory.

More soon!

Best regards,
Marcin

Sorry to bombard you with questions...

Would setting up a separate audio VLAN, assigning fixed IPs for each audio device and reducing the range of IP addresses to a small amount in the audio VLAN make similar improvements to reducing the address number to 16 (/28) or would it be good to do that as well?

Thank you!

 

[Marcin_gps]

Hi, marcin, thanks for your efforts. One question

recently, I found the Wadax server don't work well through the isolated. I can find it's ip in router and it can connect to the N1. When I use it a week ago, it worked well! Why?

If you’ve recently reconnected or swapped devices on the N1 switch, I recommend power cycling the switch — simply unplug the power cable for a few seconds and then plug it back in.

This is important because the processor responsible for initial configuration automatically shuts down about 15 seconds after startup to minimize noise and ensure the best possible sound quality. Once it shuts down, the switch stops reconfiguring for newly connected devices and especially for isolated port it may not work with some devices without doing a power cycle.

So whenever you connect different devices, it’s best to restart the switch, allowing it to reinitialize and properly configure the new connection.

Let me know if that resolves the issue!

Best regards,
Marcin

 

[Marcin_gps]

Does changing lease time on the router make any difference?

It has marginal impact in most cases.

The default lease time on most routers is 24 hours, which means your devices keep the same IP address for a full day before the router reassigns it.

Best regards,
Marcin