Jump to content
  • KenRW
    KenRW

    SOtM sNH-10G Network Switch Review

    Editor's Note: From time to time we publish reviews of controversial products. Audiophile network switches fall into this category without question. We welcome all comments in the comment section below the review as long as they are respectful and not personal. - Chris

     

     

     

    Do network switches make an audible improvement?

     


    Key Features

    • Designed for high end network audio
    • Specially designed Ethernet noise filter
    • Support 10, 100, 1G ethernet
    • 8 x RJ-45 ports
    • 2 x SFP ports
    • LED indicator on/off function
    • sCLK-EX High End clock module
    • 10MHz master clock input
    • Wide range of power input (6.5v ~ 12v)

     

     

     

    sNH-10G_1.jpg

     

     

    Pricing starts at $800 for the plain Jane model, $1500 with sCLK-EX clock board and the full blown $1700 with sCLK-EX clock board and master clock input with your choice of 50 Ohm or 75 Ohm connector.  The difference between the sms-200 and sms-200 Ultra is the addition of the sCLK-EX board.  The sNH-10G tested here included this sCLK-EX board, maybe this should be called the sNH-10G Ultra?  I did not have the plain Jane model to compare.

     

    The fit and finish of the switch is top notch.  It is apparent that a lot of design work went into the aesthetics of the unit (such as the melodious grill work on the top plate), after all a $800+ product should look like it’s worth $800+.  The design and manufacture of the unit was all done in house.  This is not just a modified consumer switch with added clock and filters.  My unit arrived with an sPS-500 power supply and DC cable along with a dCBL-CAT7 ethernet cable.

     

    I am a believer that every component can potentially impact the sound quality for good  or bad.  On hand I have an older Linksys EG008W 8 port consumer switch powered by an LH Labs LPS-1 and an Aqvox Switch-8 powered by an iFi 9 V power supply.  The differences in price and performance was readily apparent. 

     

     


    Q&A with May Park from SoTM

     

    sNH-10G_5.jpgQ : When was the development started and completed?
    A : It was started at the end of 2017 and completed around Sep of  2018.

     

    Q : How was it invented? Even though there are many routers and switches already available?
    A : Because we’ve experienced sound quality differences by the different network devices but there was nothing to fulfill the quality of sound, so we started development for audio equipment. 

     

    Q : What is the benefit of using sNH-10G into the system?
    A : As for the audio equipment, the most important factor is sound quality. Also it has the optical ports and LED on/off feature.

     

    Q :What is the technical background of sNH-10G?
    A : All SOtM products have their own unique technical points. The sNH-10G is for the network audio device, every LAN port has filtering technology, which improves sound quality dramatically and this filtering technology has also been applied to the iSO-CAT6. 


    The noise coming from the Ethernet signal has a very wide frequency band. In order to eliminate this wide frequency band, we've created various parts corresponding to the noise of each frequency and then combining them to became the broadband noise filter. This filter is already applied to iSO-CAT6 and is also used in sNH-10G.


    Also, ultra low noise regulator, active noise canceller for clock and selectable audio components are used, and all such combination is well synergized to make better sound quality in the audio system.  All SOtM products have their own unique technical points. The sNH-10G is for all network audio devices, every LAN port has filtering technology, which improves sound quality dramatically and this filtering technology has also been applied to the iSO-CAT6. 


    The noise coming from the Ethernet signal have a very wide frequency band. In order to eliminate this wide frequency band noise, we've selected various parts corresponding to the noise frequency band  and then combined them to become the wide band noise filter.


    Also,  ultra low noise regulator, active noise canceller for clock and specially selected audio grade components are used, and all such combination is well synergized to make much better sound quality in the audio system. 


    Q : What is difference between the other network ethernet switch in the market and the sNH-10G?
    A: The difference is about the sound quality and it’s very real factor which is why the sNH-10G has been developed even though other vendors are also developing network switches. 

     

    Q : How to use the optical ports? What is the benefits of the ports?
    A : The SFP ports on sNH-10G can also bring benefits from the filtering feature which were explained on above. But we recommend using RJ45 ports with the good quality network cable like dCBL-CAT7 & iSO-CAT6 combination over using the optical ports, because the connection with RJ45 and dCBL-CAT7&iSO-CAT6 could bring the better sound quality than SFP ports.

     

    Q : What is the switch on the back panel?
    A : There are 3 steps of the switch, it controls the LED power on/off. When it is positioned to be up, the led is on and power is on. When it is in the middle, the unit will be off, when it is in down, the LED is off but still the unit works. 

     

    Q : Why recommend using the dCBL-CAT7 and iSO-CAT6 even though the sNH-10G is used already?
    A : There would be no single product which removes noise completely, but they can help reduce noise and improve sound quality, so even though the sNH-10G and iSO-CAT6 have good quality filtering technology on their own, if they can be used together , the synergy is better than using only one filter and brings better results. There is no single product which removes noise completely, even though the product are good at reducing noise so it improves sound quality, it doesn’t mean that the products remove noise completely. But well designed audio products like sNH-10G and SOtM’s other products reduce noise and help to improve sound quality.

     

     

    sNH-10G_3.jpg

     


    Set Up

     

    My music network is very flat and simple.
    TELUS ISP Fiber Modem
    SoTM sNH-10G
    Netgear Duo V2
    (WD Red 4 TB RAID 0)
    Asus Vivobook (Anker Unibody USB Ethernet USB Hub)
    (Windows10 Pro, Fidelizer 8.2, AudiophileOptimizer, Bridged Ethernet Ports)
    SoTM sms-200 Ultra SE
    LH Labs Pulse X Infinity
    (LPS4)
    Reference Line Preeminence 1B Passive
    Sonic Frontiers Power 2
    Totem Mani-2 
    Fostex TX-00 Purplehearts

     

     

    Listening  

    The recommended burn in time for the sNH-10G is 50 hours but after initially setting up the unit, I could tell something special was going on.  The noise filtering technology really does what SoTM claims.  The device was powered with SoTM’s SPS-500 SMPS power supply.


    I did not have access to any fiber networking connections.  May Park from SoTM recommended I test with RJ45 cable which is what I did.

     

    On the back, you will notice a small 3 position switch.  Its function is an LED ON/OFF switch with the middle position powering off the switch.  Under close listening there is a slight improvement in sound quality with LED off.  The difference is very slight and at first I needed headphones to discern the small improvement.

     

    First up I connected the Aqvox Switch-8 listened to each track and then switched to the sNM-10G and made comparisons.  

     

     

    Here are my listening notes.

     

     

     

    godfather.jpgNino Rota | The Godfather Soundtrack Love Theme Released 1972 (24/192 FLAC)


    This is a very natural folk recording with traditional Italian roots.  Sweeping and romantic with a touch of bite.  The most apparent difference here is the microdynamics and detail resolution.  Instruments suddenly became more interesting and the music became more involving, at the same time more relaxed with an ease and flow which made the music more natural.

     

     

     

    q@2x.png  Listen via Qobuz (24/96) 

    T.png Listen via Tidal (16/44.1) 

    H.png Purchase via HDtracks (24/96 or 24/192)

     

     

     

     

     

    bc-Meghan-Andrews_Im-On-Fire_Cover.jpgMeghan Andrews | I’m on Fire (Single) 2018 Blue Coast Music (DSD128)| 


    Bruce Springsteen’s classic cover by Meghan Andrews.  This is a single available on Blue Coast Music.  You can download this in various formats, FLAC, DSD and WAV for your own comparison.  I used the DSD128 version.  A very spare acoustic voice and guitar recording.  Most apparent here is the guitar seemed to have more wood and body as compared to more strings with the Aqvox.  The voice had slightly more chest as compared to more throat.

     

     

    bc-logo.jpg  Purchase from Blue Coast (multiple formats)

     

     

     

     

     

    mad.jpg

    Mad Season | River of Deceit Above 1995 (24/44)


    This test produced more interesting textures.  Layne Staley’s voice more falsetto.  Better bass texture and articulation and a slightly wider soundstage.

     

     

     

     

    q@2x.png  Listen via Qobuz (24/96) 

    T.png Listen via Tidal (16/44.1) 

    H.png Purchase via HDtracks (24/44.1)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Metallica_black.jpgMetallica | Black Album Wherever I May Roam 1992 (24/96 FLAC)


    Using sitar- like guitar playing, the change brought about a more visceral and robust feel to James Hetfield's vocals yet at the same time the highs were more relaxed with a greater sense of ease to the flow of the song.  The same character as with earlier listening bringing about more interesting sustain to instruments and more decay in percussion.

     

     

     

    M@2x.png  Purchase from Metallica (24/48)

     

     

     

     

     

    vm.jpgVan Morrison | Poetic Champions Compose Spanish Steps 1987 16/44


    This is one of my desert island recordings.  I thought I would include a standard redbook recording. The difference here is more air.  The soundstage created slightly more image height.  Each instrument having more decay and sustain.  Already quite beautiful through the Aqvox, everything was just more there with the SoTM.

     

     

     

    q@2x.png  Listen via Qobuz (24/96) 

    T.png Listen via Tidal (16/44.1) 

     

     

     

     

     

    pm.jpg
    Pat Metheny | What It’s All About Betcha By Golly Wow 2011 24/96


    Another cover, this time Pat Metheny’s version of the Stylistics classic.  Here it was very close.  I have a redbook version of this recording and I can hardly tell the difference.  I had to use Fostex TX-00 Purpleheart headphones to detect just a slight bit more wood in the guitar and sustain in the notes.

     

     

    q@2x.png  Listen via Qobuz (24/96) 

    T.png Listen via Tidal (Lossy MQA) 

    H.png Purchase via HDtracks (24/96)

     

     


    Conclusion


    sNH-10G_2.jpgI have to declare that SoTM’s design goals of producing a good sounding switch by reducing noise has been a resounding success.  Musical textures are more interesting notes have more air and decay.  In some cases more image height and slightly deeper soundstage.  For fun I put in my old Netgear consumer switch.  I immediately had to take it out.  So here we have some careful considerations to make.  I can’t speak to the $1000 plain Jane sNH-10G but this upgraded version with the upgraded clock sounds much better than the 398 Euro (around $456 USD at time of writing) Aqvox Switch 8 which in turn sounds much better than a consumer Linksys switch.  Is it $1200 better?  That is hard to say.  Myself, I think this is a special product and worthy of consideration.

     

     

     

    Sneak preview

     

    double-switch.jpegMay Park just sent me a note.  Having done some internal testing they found that under this parallel  configuration there was a dramatic sonic improvement.

     

     

     


    Stay tuned.

     

    Ken

     

     

     

     

     

    Additional Information:

     

    Manufacturer: SOtM

    Product: sNH-10G Network Switch ($800+)

     

    Where to Buy:

     

    US Customers - Crux Audio / SOtM USA

    International Customers - SOtM

     

     




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    1 hour ago, Jud said:

     

    But notice: The measurement hasn’t happened yet.  And even after that, we’re left to ponder the question of how significant/audible it might be.

    @Jud

     

    Been about 4 yrs now. 

     

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    36 minutes ago, JohnSwenson said:

    So back to the drawing board.

    Sorry to hear it didn't work out.  I really hope the new board does the trick.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    51 minutes ago, JohnSwenson said:

    The pulling the plug thing is what actually got me looking into this.

     

    A while back I had a prototype of one the streamers on the bench feeding a little inexpensive DAC ($110) feeding some inexpensive Senheiser headphones($69) when I accidentally unplugged the Ethernet cable and the increase in sound quality blew me away. There was about 1 minute of music stored in the streamer so I got 1 minute of REALLY good sounding music.

     

    So yep, pulling the plug DID make a big difference, but it wasn't a "test", there was no expectation involved.

     

    John S.

     

     

    Sorry but your response needs picked apart. I want to point out this tidbit 'had a prototype of one the streamers'. I see a whole slew of issues in that statement WRT to all the possibilities, namely design errors, that could have defeated reasonable measures a DAC designer took to insulate their product from noise.

     

    With so much of your efforts in highly buffered I/O systems and knowing how they work it never occurred to try it before?

     

    My Emotiva DC-1 seems impervious to the systems I have had it connected to when it comes to testing the upstream noise possibility.

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    22 minutes ago, plissken said:

    My Emotiva DC-1 seems impervious to the systems I have had it connected to when it comes to testing the upstream noise possibility.

     

    I am sure this is true, but I was so sure it was coming that I had to smile, my friend. :) 

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    17 hours ago, plissken said:

     

     

    Sorry but your response needs picked apart. I want to point out this tidbit 'had a prototype of one the streamers'. I see a whole slew of issues in that statement WRT to all the possibilities, namely design errors, that could have defeated reasonable measures a DAC designer took to insulate their product from noise.

     

    With so much of your efforts in highly buffered I/O systems and knowing how they work it never occurred to try it before?

     

    My Emotiva DC-1 seems impervious to the systems I have had it connected to when it comes to testing the upstream noise possibility.

     

    So the noise of your Emotiva is greater than anything that's come before it? Interesting.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    35 minutes ago, incus said:

    So the noise of your Emotiva is greater than anything that's come before it? Interesting.

     

    Yeah, well @plissken paid $300 for his marginally built DAC with $0.50 master clocks, and $2.00 opamp output stage, so its not much surprise that nothing upstream can be heard. :S

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    39 minutes ago, incus said:

    So the noise of your Emotiva is greater than anything that's come before it? Interesting.

     

    Or the flip side, which is most DACs, that in properly implemented, standards compliant systems, they filter out any up stream noise.

     

    I've offered to setup an Intel based PC with Prime 95 and run it headless driving your DAC and see if you can tell when Prime 95 is presenting a load and when the system is otherwise nominal with something just Tidal being the main, interactive, application.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    7 minutes ago, Superdad said:

     

    Yeah, well @plissken paid $300 for his marginally built DAC with $0.50 master clocks, and $2.00 opamp output stage, so its not much surprise that nothing upstream can be heard. :S

     

    I've also access to the RME interfaces... but lets look at it this way:

     

    Let me remind everyone you are the one that disappeared at What's Best Forum when you initially said you would blind A/B your own ISO Regen product in your own home when someone was going to purchase air fair.

     

    What DAC do you use 😉

     

    I don't know what's worse: My faith in my $300 (I purchased second hand but basically new in box) or your lack of faith in your DAC and your product, er I mean ears.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    BTW I specifically chose the DC-1 because it could act as a pre-amp and I have a BT receiver in the RCA inputs for my wife to stream from her phone.

     

    Happy Wife , Happy Life.

     

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, plissken said:

    Let me remind everyone you are the one that disappeared at What's Best Forum when you initially said you would blind A/B your own ISO Regen product in your own home when someone was going to purchase air fair.

     

    Knock it off Pliss. First of all, what someone misconstrued as an invitation to my home never was.  I have blind A/B'd our products many times in my own home.  The ISO REGEN did not even exist when the aforementioned exchange occurred.  And my decision to stop participating in that forum had nothing to do my not inviting hostile parties to my house.  I simply had no further interest in arguing with close-minded people.

     

    In case you have not noticed, there is a very wide market with plenty of competition and companies (including my own) offering 30-day, money-back guarantees on products that produce better signal integrity before the DAC input.  Don't you think if such products were useless and ineffective the market for them would have dried up long ago?  [That's a rhetorical question, I already know your answer and could care less what you think. x-D]

     

    1 hour ago, plissken said:

    What DAC do you use 😉

     

    Holo Spring Level 3.

     

    1 hour ago, plissken said:

    I don't know what's worse: My faith in my $300 (I purchased second hand but basically new in box) or your lack of faith in your DAC and your product, er I mean ears.

     

    Dream on buddy.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Just now, Superdad said:

     

    Knock it off Pliss. First of all, what someone misconstrued as an invitation to my home never was.  I have blind A/B'd our products many times in my own home.

     

    The thread is still public. Soon as Amir offered to fly out and ask the nearest city you up and like a fart in the wind disappeared.

     

    I know you are used to spinning things....

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Who here would like to perform a blind test were I ship them a PC with Tidal and Prime 95 on it. They can connect to their setup  and I can remote manage the PC and turn Prime 95 on and off and see if you can track.

     

    Chris?

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

    Some people just can't resist.

     

    It takes one to know one. 

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

    Some people just can't resist.

     

    ‘How can they? That’s their raison d'être

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    19 hours ago, plissken said:

    Who here would like to perform a blind test were I ship them a PC with Tidal and Prime 95 on it. They can connect to their setup  and I can remote manage the PC and turn Prime 95 on and off and see if you can track.

     

    Chris?

    I've tried to explain to you many times already that your "experiment" proves  nothing. The logic of it is entirely faulty. There is, in fact, no logic to it. But you don't seem willing to engage on the level of logic. You are dead wrong about what is being heard under the two conditions you are comparing. So do I want to indulge some glitch in your cognitive reasoning by attaching a device of your making to my private home network? Excuse me if I decline.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    6 hours ago, incus said:

    I've tried to explain to you many times already that your "experiment" proves  nothing. The logic of it is entirely faulty. There is, in fact, no logic to it. But you don't seem willing to engage on the level of logic. You are dead wrong about what is being heard under the two conditions you are comparing. So do I want to indulge some glitch in your cognitive reasoning by attaching a device of your making to my private home network? Excuse me if I decline.

     

    You are making absolutely no sense. I'm employing others logic that they can tell the difference in a computer running say 120 processes vs 100 or under some minimal vs heavier load. I find it best to beat the subjective audiophile with the generic zip cord of their own logic.

     

    What it does prove is subjectivists are all talk.

     

    It's not a device of my own making. It's an Intel NUC with a fresh copy of Windows 10 Pro X64. Hardly something conjured up with duct tape and bailing wire. But you make what ever mountain you want out of a mole hill so you can bravely run away.

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    re:   "120 processes vs 100 or under some minimal vs heavier load"

     

    I am still waiting to just see the posts on Bill's mac thread about which processes should be turned off to increase the SQ.

     

     

    on a not so related topic, "30-day, money-back guarantees on products"  makes it very easy to run your own blind test

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    On 2/12/2019 at 1:35 PM, plissken said:

     

    The thread is still public. Soon as Amir offered to fly out and ask the nearest city you up and like a fart in the wind disappeared.

     

    I know you are used to spinning things....

    You forgot to mention that Amir was kicked off his own website for being an a**, luckily, for some, Chris is a bit more tolerant here. 

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    10 hours ago, ChrisG said:

    You forgot to mention that Amir was kicked off his own website for being an a**, luckily, for some, Chris is a bit more tolerant here. 

     

    Actually Amir arranged a buy out and started ASR. He couldn't be kicked out as he was a 50% equity partner.

     

    Share this comment


    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now




×
×
  • Create New...