To Switch or Not to Switch?

[Audioseduction]

1s and 0s or what? I don't stream. I listen to locally stored music files, so I don't worry about this. Now, when I look for new music to purchase, I sometimes stream music to see if I want to purchase it. I do have a fiber media converter between my wired access point and the music server.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I can honestly say two things:

1) People need to stop asking others and go try it for themselves and make up their own minds. I did and it was very enlightening and changed my mind about the entire topic.

2) I value outlets thoughts on this topics such as Alpha Audio who use real measurements and try to tie them so SQ, yet I would never waste 10 seconds of time on any topics ASR is spreading its propaganda on.

 

[BendingWave]

I can honestly say two things:

1) People need to stop asking others and go try it for themselves and make up their own minds. I did and it was very enlightening and changed my mind about the entire topic.

2) I value outlets thoughts on this topics such as Alpha Audio who use real measurements and try to tie them so SQ, yet I would never waste 10 seconds of time on any topics ASR is spreading its propaganda on.

About a year ago I got a call from a very well respected friend and set up specialist about something he had tried with a well know reviewer in Europe. I am not much of a fan of selling "black boxes" but this is the way many new things come to me, suggestions from people I respect and trust, so I spoke with Nigel from Reiki and he gave me the opportunity to listen to his wares.
SOmetimes you don't know what you don't know until you know. I have had a lot of very happy clients who have experienced the same. Last week then came a more advanced, better constructed, new version of the Super Switch called the X model. I got one and before I could install it my client wanted it. He bought it and he told me that this was better all around the normal model, it cost more of course.
A network switch designed for audio can seriously help get rid of the things people blame on digital. Its not the format its noise and noise is prevalent in all forms, this is one you find out about once it is gone.
Just like you need to optimise any source to get the maximum result streaming needs to do the same.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

SOmetimes you don't know what you don't know until you know.

Hi Elliot - this is absolutely true.

I got tired of listening to people argue over digital cables and switches so I tried for myself and it was eye opening. I made up my own mind - I did not let others tell me what to think. Same with vibration control. I've tried over 20 different vibration products.

People need to stop relying on what others claim can or can't make a difference and try for themselves.

If someone tries something and they come to a conclusion I disagree with - I fully respect their opinion as it was their personal experience. When someone doesn't try and simply links to others telling them what to think (like and ASR video of the endless videos of nitwits claiming switches do nothing), I realize they are simply sheeple looking to be led.

On a side note, it's always interesting to see the actual systems and setups of the people who claim it makes no difference. Often their gear is so unresolving and their set up so poor almost nothing would make a difference.

 

[Mr Peabody]

1s and 0s or what? I don't stream. I listen to locally stored music files, so I don't worry about this. Now, when I look for new music to purchase, I sometimes stream music to see if I want to purchase it. I do have a fiber media converter between my wired access point and the music server.

The most over used and misunderstood buzz word is now "bit perfect". He spends time explaining there's no data loss due to protocols. I can agree with that. Technically the stream may be bit perfect but there is still noise. He basically denies jitter, I forget how he dismisses it, I don't agree with that. He measures his $1k DAC it has 113 dB dynamic range says it's below hearing and assumes his DAC is perfect, I guess all sound alike but maybe it's fine for what he is doing. He shows no difference from the output, I have no idea whether he is measuring correctly.

Coincidentally I have that same unit, the Ether Regen. First of all the manufactuer allows a 30 day trial with money back guarantee. So there's nothing to lose in trying one. I kept mine. The difference was not night and day as he claims audiophiles say, it was a good enough improvement I kept the unit. Although it's only $640.00 I'd as soon keep that in my pocket. It's a total insult to tell me I didn't hear the difference.

It would be interesting to get the manufacturer's response.

His final conclusion we hear a difference because when the new item is, inserted we listen harder. When I evaluate a new piece it comes in and out, if the item makes enough difference to warrant the price I buy it. That improvement had to be obvious and repeatable.

Most of us are not scientists so we have no idea whether this ASR guy knows what he is doing. When it comes to tweaks many of them often sound crazy as to what they do. We only have our ears to rely on. It's a shame someone gets convinced they can't trust theirs.


I mean who knew speaker isolation feet would do anything? I'm not even on a wood floor. The Stackaudio feet actually were nearly night and day, like I went up a model in the line or something.

If you don't trust yourself who are you going to trust?

There's also the possibility the unit won't make a difference in every system. I acknowledge that.