Network Switches
- Thread starter mep
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Randy Myers
Well-known member
I do think a lot of this is, as others have said, new devices to get more audiophile dollars.
As an example, I recently read Puma's article in TAS. I find the writing excellent and some very good information in there. One one thing I did not understand was the diagram. It shows the "switch" and the input going in the switch from the 4-port side or direction and coming out the single port side. This is exactly opposite of how a network switch works. It is always as a single port in and out with multiple ports. The idea is to add ports on the network. If it is a re-clocker type device as a single in single out that would be a different thing all together. An items such as the Wyred 4 Sound Remedy to re-clock SPDIF or their Recovery to re-clock USB. Then if it is this why are there 4-ports on one side and 1-port on the other? But if it is actually a network switch the the diagram is not correct.
As an example, I recently read Puma's article in TAS. I find the writing excellent and some very good information in there. One one thing I did not understand was the diagram. It shows the "switch" and the input going in the switch from the 4-port side or direction and coming out the single port side. This is exactly opposite of how a network switch works. It is always as a single port in and out with multiple ports. The idea is to add ports on the network. If it is a re-clocker type device as a single in single out that would be a different thing all together. An items such as the Wyred 4 Sound Remedy to re-clock SPDIF or their Recovery to re-clock USB. Then if it is this why are there 4-ports on one side and 1-port on the other? But if it is actually a network switch the the diagram is not correct.
The "why" of 4 "in" and 1 "out" is perhaps better explained in the Audiophile Style review; they are all "in" or "out", but the best audio benefit is going from one of the 4 "in" to the 1 "out", in that direction.
The big problem I have with reviews such as this one is the hyperbole used in describing differences/improvements. Almost every change makes a very noticeable difference, and some changes (especially multiple changes in toto) make a huge difference. But then in the Reflections part of the review, there is this "The SQ improvement from the combination of switch, PSU, and clock is comparable to making a component upgrade (for example, a DAC or amp) of similar price." I didn't price out this combo for the EtherRegen + LPS + external clock, but it's probably less than $1500. That would be a huge price difference in a $10,000 system, but that system would be unlikely to notice the (proposed) benefits. For a slightly more upscale system (say, $30,000 to $60,000 retail), that dollar amount might be comparable to 2 or 3 AC power cords (or only one); where are the greater benefits?
As usual, audiophile add-ons and tweaks end up being a rabbit hole :S
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Ok, so that makes sense in that many (not all) network switches, especially inexpensive home switches, all are in and outs. However in a device like this which it sounds like is supposed to be more or less a single in single out would have been better to have been built that way instead of going against networking methods. Better network switches, such as those used in a professional environment are very much one in many out.
And the other switches (and AFAIK all the other audiophile switches) to which the reviewer compares the ER are built that way. If you read Uptone Audio's white paper you will see why this one is designed this way (remember that a white paper is basically advertising, so there is an explanation there but it is not necessarily valid or proven). Short answer, though, is that it is really one in and 4 out; 3 of the outs (that look like ins) have no "managing", only the special one does.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Weather it works or not it is still a silly design and lazy in my view. It also is confusing and giving incorrect methodology for anyone familiar with networking. You would think it would have been easier and cheaper to build it one in one out if that is how it is designed to be used 
. That tells me (and I am only speculating here) that they probably bought the basic switch board that already had the ports in place and then modified it.
. That tells me (and I am only speculating here) that they probably bought the basic switch board that already had the ports in place and then modified it.This appears to be how all the "audiophile" switches are made; I'm not sure why that would be a problem. I hate to find myself in the position of defending something I don't especially believe in the first place, but I don't find this particular issue to be a problem, just a (meaningless) design decision
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Even though I completely disagree with how this device is going against all network setups, I decided to remove my post.
u-sound
Active member
so many science added to this tread today
Mike-48
New member
That seems basically right, yet there is something to add. A "smart managed" switch provides easy prioritization by port, which no router I've used has been able to do. (The routers had generic QoS features, but not the ability to say, "give port 11 high priority.") So though the main purpose of a switch is indeed providing extra ports, there are some features that people might find useful. Besides prioritization, some switches can provide power over ethernet, link aggregation, fiber-optic links, and probably a few features I've forgotten.
What if the switch reduces network noise?
BlueFox
New member
What is network noise, and how do you reduce it?
Jack
Active member
It's the noise that the people that are selling "gadgets" tell you that you should hear and that they have a "break through" product that will reduce it and in some instances may even eliminate it. But by the time you buy their "gadget" along with the prerequisite add on Linear Power Supply, four digit power cord and the associated "approved" network cabling it will only cost you several thousand dollars to get there.
I can’t answer that since I don’t design the switches. However, if I pull the Ethernet cable from my server after the music is buffered, it sounds better. Many other have experienced the same thing. That says to me that there is network traffic and noise that if affecting the sound. If you really want to read out it there are many threads over at audiophiletyle.com.