what is the best audiophile switch?

[jabbr]

17 hours ago, TubeMan said:

and alway use same brand and model in both ends, 

If possible that makes sense but many switch makers require specific SFP modules, likewise NIC makers i.e. Cisco SFP compatible or Brocade compatible on the switch and Intel compatible on the NIC. So you actually don't have to use the same SFP, rather same type of SFP.

[sb6]

 

On 2/24/2019 at 2:04 AM, Tintinabulum said:

I swapped a very basic Netgear switch for a CISCO - WS-C2960G-8TC-L and got an instant increase in SQ. I was very surprised, being moderately cynical.

I assume you used the stock wall wart and internal PSU for the Cisco? Curious if you have you ever tried the Netgear with a LPSU versus the Cisco with it's internal PSU?

[the_doc735]

3 hours ago, sb6 said:

 

I assume you used the stock wall wart and internal PSU for the Cisco? Curious if you have you ever tried the Netgear with a LPSU versus the Cisco with it's internal PSU?

OP: 

I have a Zyxel VMG3925 B10B router with built in 4 port switch.

Is this good enough for audiophile usage or should I consider a separate (cisco/tp link) switch? 

[Solid-State]

8 hours ago, jabbr said:

If possible that makes sense but many switch makers require specific SFP modules, likewise NIC makers i.e. Cisco SFP compatible or Brocade compatible on the switch and Intel compatible on the NIC. So you actually don't have to use the same SFP, rather same type of SFP.

I assumes that people is so smart
that they read the compatibility list before they buy the SPF

[R1200CL]

On 2/24/2019 at 9:04 AM, Tintinabulum said:

CISCO - WS-C2960G-8TC-L

 That switch was introduced November 2007. I would expect later switch’s to be better maybe ?

[Solid-State]

but it still going strong,
and sounds marveless good for money

[Solid-State]

51 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

 That switch was introduced November 2007. I would expect later switch’s to be better maybe ?

If you compare it with anything else for about 100 USD or 100 Eur new today,
you will be surprised how good it sounds!
and I think no one has that good PSU and port isolation and SPF ports for fiber

and yes there  is a new model 2960CX cost around 600 USB /500 Eur

 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-2960-cx-series-switches/index.html

[Tintinabulum]

2 hours ago, R1200CL said:

 That switch was introduced November 2007. I would expect later switch’s to be better maybe ?

Well, I don't know why it resulted in an increase in SQ. I had no expectation bias- hence the surprise. It replaced a newer switch, so not really. I don't think newness has any bearing necessarily. These happen to be cheap and are commercial so built to last in all likelihood. Pretty cheap, what's not to love?

 

I'd love it if someone could postulate a reason for the better SQ I hear.

[plissken]

Remember you aren't playing audio off the switch or NIC. You are playing out of buffer. If you are a Tidal user, in Tidal (not Roon or any other app hosting Tidal) start playback. Wait 30 seconds and while the music is playing pull the plug. It will still play. Where's it playing out of if the switch is out of the loop.

[tapatrick]

On 2/19/2019 at 8:52 AM, the_doc735 said:

back to topic please!

what is the best audiophile switch? 

 

..thread hijacked!

I have a basic Virgin route. When I added an Aqvox 8 port switch (powered by a modified Teradak linear power supply) which was dedicated to my audio system, this one of the most striking improvements I've had in my system. I can only comment on this switch but there many reports of other switches adding big improvements.

[R1200CL]

48 minutes ago, plissken said:

Remember you aren't playing audio off the switch or NIC. You are playing out of buffer. If you are a Tidal user, in Tidal (not Roon or any other app hosting Tidal) start playback. Wait 30 seconds and while the music is playing pull the plug. It will still play. Where's it playing out of if the switch is out of the loop.

 

Only if you’re using a PC or ?

[jabbr]

4 hours ago, TubeMan said:

I assumes that people is so smart
that they read the compatibility list before they buy the SPF

 

Way way back in 2015  the intention of this thread: 

 

[sb6]

1 hour ago, plissken said:

Remember you aren't playing audio off the switch or NIC. You are playing out of buffer. If you are a Tidal user, in Tidal (not Roon or any other app hosting Tidal) start playback. Wait 30 seconds and while the music is playing pull the plug. It will still play. Where's it playing out of if the switch is out of the loop.

Irrespective of what / where the storage mechanism is the data passes through the switch, NIC and computer where it is prone to jitter and noise.

[Miska]

42 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

Only if you’re using a PC or ?

 

If you do internet streaming from a service like Tidal, just the fact that internet is involved requires quite a bit buffer. Overall all consumer playback systems use quite a bit of buffer to make things work over WiFi and such.

 

Low-latency pro-audio protocols like Dante, AES67/Ravenna and AVB use minimal buffers to keep live playback mic-to-speakers/headphones/monitors latency low. Because it is incredibly difficult to play if you have lot of delay between physical act of playing and hearing what you play...

 

[FredericV]

I use a TP-Link 8 port easy smart switch powered by a 9V Sbooster mk2

[plissken]

5 hours ago, sb6 said:

Irrespective of what / where the storage mechanism is the data passes through the switch, NIC and computer where it is prone to jitter and noise.

 

Irrespective of what you think you know, it's not how it works.

[Ralf11]

Here is a news photo of Ned Ludd himself injecting noise into a streaming setup.  

 

Notice how he pounds the noise in with a hammer!

 

 

 

[sb6]

1 hour ago, plissken said:

 

Irrespective of what you think you know, it's not how it works.

Really? Since you seem to be the expert please enlighten me.

[plissken]

3 minutes ago, sb6 said:

Really? Since you seem to be the expert please enlighten me.

 

 

 

Google is your friend.

[plissken]

Jitter doesn't exist in static storage (buffer). Buffers eliminate Jitter.

 

Here's a PDF from Silicon Labs

[sb6]

1 hour ago, plissken said:

Jitter doesn't exist in static storage (buffer). Buffers eliminate Jitter.

 

Here's a PDF from Silicon Labs

Completely untrue. Google it and ask those that are professionals. Also, perusing your other posts, I think we are done here...

[Ralf11]

what kind of professionals???

[mansr]

49 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

what kind of professionals???

Leon?

[plissken]

24 minutes ago, the_doc735 said:

how does this relate to my OP please?

 

The bottom line is, much like unicorns, 'audiophile switches' are a fantasy. These are data devices that are burst in nature, non-realtime, and HIGHLY buffered systems.

 

I'm a Cisco Certified Network Pro (Route and Switch) and have experience in design and implementation of everything from STUN encapsulation over TwinAx connecting IBM AS/400 and  AVB/AES67 for live sound application and much in between.

 

Guys, this simply isn't how everyone thinks that it works.

 

If you are interested please start pulling the string that I linked to and do some reading.

 

 

[Ralf11]

Or just ask yourself how a purely digital device could cause this.

 

If you think that noise is getting thru, then just isolate it.

 

And then there is always the option to do a blind test - that is independent of any mechanistic behavior.