To Switch or Not to Switch?

[RepublicOfTexas69]

Also interesting. May I inquire as to the reason for the two switches? There’s got to be a reason…

First off I have my system isolated from all other network devices that are either hardwired or on the dreaded wifi. I have 3 networks in the our home two wifi networks for printers, laptops, phones, handhelds. Also run my pool/patio entertainment system on a seperate wifi network. My listening space is hardwired and isolated through a series of switches (Ediscreation) https://ediscreation.com/product/silent-switch-ocxo/ that is fed D-Link DGS 1016D in my network closet off the master bedroom. The Edisocreation S-S OCXO II feeds a Sonore Optical Module Deluxe that coverts to optical and feeds my Uptone EtherREGEN 1. The chain feeds my modified Innous Zenith MKIII that feeds my LessLoss Echo's End Reference DAC. My digital chain sounds wonderful and was built up over a few years of trial and error. There is no WIFI or Cellular in my listening space in an effort to reduce EMI/RFI and other airborne interference. Maybe overkill and complicated but it works for me.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Maybe overkill and complicated but it works for me.

I have spent years experimenting with no switch, one switch, two switches, three switches and four switches.

I have tried over 30 brands of switches and spent month mixing and matching to find the perfect combo.

I have spent 2 years trying vibration control with every digital device you can imagine and currently have a triple level vibration device under my main switch.

In high end digital there is no such thing as overkill. Every little tweak makes a difference.

 

[RepublicOfTexas69]

I have spent years experimenting with no switch, one switch, two switches, three switches and four switches.

I have tried over 30 brands of switches and spent month mixing and matching to find the perfect combo.

I have spent 2 years trying vibration control with every digital device you can imagine and currently have a triple level vibration device under my main switch.

In high end digital there is no such thing as overkill. Every little tweak makes a difference.

Yes I know and I enjoyed following your experiments on WBF and FB. Great stuff and inspired some of my experiments. Thank you Michael.

 

[crwilli]

I also use two switches after my router. Router to switch 1 is Ethernet. Switch 1 to switch 2 is fiber, switch 2 to my server is a short Ethernet.

Why two switches? To break the path of any galvanic noise riding on the Ethernet cable. Then work hard to minimize the chance of picking up any other galvanic noise to the server.

Having said that, with my MSB Premier Digital Director after my server cleaning things up prior to the DAC, I can honestly say I cannot hear any benefit of the two servers - anymore.

I keep them because I have them. They do no harm.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Having said that, with my MSB Premier Digital Director after my server cleaning things up prior to the DAC, I can honestly say I cannot hear any benefit of the two servers - anymore.

I keep them because I have them. They do no harm.

I completely agree - as gear changes we need to constantly challenge our digital set up to see if pieces are still needed.

 

[NewAlkyogre]

I completely agree - as gear changes we need to constantly challenge our digital set up to see if pieces are still needed.

On the other hand, those high end streamers cost a serious amount of money. If the input is already cleaned from noise and the ones and zero’s are reclocked then the only source that could mess it up again is the final streamer..

Combine a good switch combination together with a much cheaper streamer, the sound quality could be almost as good as a tens of thousands dollars costing streamer.

 

[the professor]

…..
Combine a good switch combination together with a much cheaper streamer, the sound quality could be almost as good as a tens of thousands dollars costing streamer.

I think there is a lot to be had there.

 

[RepublicOfTexas69]

I also use two switches after my router. Router to switch 1 is Ethernet. Switch 1 to switch 2 is fiber, switch 2 to my server is a short Ethernet.

Why two switches? To break the path of any galvanic noise riding on the Ethernet cable. Then work hard to minimize the chance of picking up any other galvanic noise to the server.

Having said that, with my MSB Premier Digital Director after my server cleaning things up prior to the DAC, I can honestly say I cannot hear any benefit of the two servers - anymore.

I keep them because I have them. They do no harm.

At one point I had 2 additional switches in my IT Closet, pulled 2 out with the addition on the Afterdark Clock into the EtherREGEN mad no difference in sound just wanted 2 less boxes. Do no harm as we say..

 

[Feanor]

On the other hand, those high end streamers cost a serious amount of money. If the input is already cleaned from noise and the ones and zero’s are reclocked then the only source that could mess it up again is the final streamer..

Combine a good switch combination together with a much cheaper streamer, the sound quality could be almost as good as a tens of thousands dollars costing streamer.

Where's the fun if an audiophile can't spend more money on pricey, but ineffectual, (but visually appealing). equipment?

A properly designed DAC (or streamer) should obviate any need for a pricey switch to suppress network noise or induced jitter. If you have any doubts about your DAC, get a better DAC before you worry about an audiophile switch.

Personally I have an old Schiit Wyrd that sits between my Win 11 PC and my Topping D90 DAC. The Wyrd replaces PC power with its own so would eliminate computer and network noise. I can't hear any difference to the sound whether the Wyrd is in-circuit or not. In practical terms the Wyrd lets me run my USB connection a litter farther thon a 15 foot USB cable.

ChatGPT suggests this experiment, (if your setup allows), copy a music file to your local device and compare the sound from the local file versus the same file over the network. If you can genuinely hear a difference you have a problem.

 

[Randy Myers]

Where's the fun if an audiophile can't spend more money on pricey, but ineffectual, (but visually appealing). equipment?

A properly designed DAC (or streamer) should obviate any need for a pricey switch to suppress network noise or induced jitter. If you have any doubts about your DAC, get a better DAC before you worry about an audiophile switch.

Personally I have an old Schiit Wyrd that sits between my Win 11 PC and my Topping D90 DAC. The Wyrd replaces PC power with its own so would eliminate computer and network noise. I can't hear any difference to the sound whether the Wyrd is in-circuit or not. In practical terms the Wyrd lets me run my USB connection a litter farther thon a 15 foot USB cable.

ChatGPT suggests this experiment, (if your setup allows), copy a music file to your local device and compare the sound from the local file versus the same file over the network. If you can genuinely hear a difference you have a problem.

I kind of agree with this. As a computer/software engineer I have always felt that any network switch can only make very minimal differences, if any at all. If you get your music through streaming services realize that the signal that final gets to your DAC has already passed through hundreds if not thousands of routers and switches. One final "audiophile" switch at the end of the line should make almost no differences. Also, your point about that a properly designed DAC will already take care of any issues is on point.

I have tested both streaming, files stored on a network drives, or local stored files on internal drives within the sever. The internal stored files sound better in every case so long as we are comparing the same files. We even performed this test on my buddy's system where he recently had his entire house rewired with "audiophile" wiring; ethernet cabling and network devices. The internal stored files were superior.

This was even more the case when the files were stored on solid state drives (no moving parts, no spinning drives), and especially true when the files are stored on M.2 drives. The music comes straight from internal SSD drives to the DAC. Nothing in between. The music server/meta data/control software is on the sever computer/streaming device and sends the music straight to the DAC which in turn outputs the analog signal via high grade balances cables to the pre-amp. As straight and minimal path as can be achieved in a digital system.