I know that switches are not supposed to make a difference, but it seems that they do…
I have read some glowing reports about the Network Acoustics tempus switch, which has sometimes been compared to the Innuos PhoenixNet.
Network Acoustics offer a 60 day money back guarantee.
I’m wondering if anyone with a dCS based system has either bought, or heard, the tempus switch in their system and, if so, what were their impressions.
I have not used this model but the new Synergistic Research UEF Mark II switch made a significant improvement to the sound of my Rossini Apex.
Interesting, thanks.
If I recall correctly, you had the Ansuz D3, so did you consider that the SR UEF Mark II was a significant upgrade?
@Bauer Hey Jonathan. Have you tried inserting a short run of fiber optic cable between your network and your dcs input. Im all for high quality switches but i feel and i think the general consensus is that placing a meter or so of fiber between your network and your dcs ( certified cat 5 or better to Fiber Media Converter to fiber optic cable to FMC to a meter or so of cat 5 certified unshielded cable) filters out all of the noise that could possibly be transmitted through the network or “electromechanically picked up” by the copper ethernet carrier during what ever route it travels through your home The other noise reducing precaution would be to add a Linear Power Supply (LPS) such as pixir to power this second or final FMC prior to hitting the dcs system to eliminate the possible reintroduction of noise to the system from your electrical wall connection. Sorry if youve already completed this solution. B
Thanks, Barry.
No, I haven’t, but I have been considering it…
As I understand it, depending on the quality, these can introduce noise into the system.
IIRC, @Anupc has posted previously on the subject.
Coincidentally, I have a PliXir Elite BDC 12A 6V LPS (dual output) powering both my current (cheap Cisco) switch and router.
They are both excellent but I have a preference for the SR.
Im certainly not a world class expert on the subject but do have a pretty good understanding. Ive even separated my home traffic from my music traffic on the wire with individual switches with power cleaners on the switches but im pretty confident that no em noise can travel across the fiber. I am always open to improvement but i think the only ways for em noise to get to the dcs post fiber is through a noisy power supply on the fmc or by the short piece of unshielded cat5 being exposed to em disturbance between the fmc and right at its attachment to the system.
At risk of stating the obvious - which discussions on other forums would suggest is not obvious at all - switches installed for the purposes of improving sound quality need to be installed not just anywhere between the router and streamer but just (like 1m) before the streamer. This is because such a switch is not there on digital duties - where positioning is entirely irrelevant - it is there to minimise the amount of RFI noise reaching the streamer and more importantly going on to reach the analog(ue) side of the DAC which is where it may have an impact on sound quality.
Others can and will no doubt argue that this noise is a non-thing, that a well-designed streamer and/or a well-designed DAC won’t benefit from a switch etc etc; that’s a well worn path and would be a thread diversion here. The point is not to argue the toss about the principle but to clarify the practice: if you are one of those exploring network switches then you must ensure you install it in the right position or you simply won’t be giving it a fair crack of the whip (which I hope is an expression which translates to countries outside the UK!).
I disagree that placing a switch within 1m of router and streamer is the only viable location. In my instance my switch is located in a different room from by Vivaldi Upsampler. The switch is located close to my Small Green Computer i5 (and also my wireless router) in which Roon and my music reside. There is a long run of optical cable that connects that switch with my music room where just before my Upsampler it ends in an Optical Module. The last meter is a 1m run of Shunyata ethernet terminating into the Upsampler.
So defining where the right position might be is not a black and white as you describe.
You’re right, and it’s probably a terminology thing. If you’re using fibre/fiber then you are using the FMC functionality of the switch which is a different scenario from using an all-RJ45 switch.
I was talking about the scenario where the long run is of Cat something-or-other is copper cable not fibre/fiber. With the latter, positioning is irrelevant. As far as I know, the tempus switch under discussion does not have useable SFP ports; the manual describes these as “for use with future products”.
I compared several top of the line switches and the Tempus performed best. There is a new switch (and also Ethernet filter system) by Network Acoustics that was demoed at Axpona. Will be released end of April, so that should be very interesting.
Interesting
Which switches did you compare the Tempus with?
So I gather.
I have been deferring a decision until the new switch (and power supply) are ‘in the wild’…
I am in the market for a new ethernet switch and would appreciate any feedback on recent ethernet switches.
Here is what I know so far and am thoroughly perplexed by the range of options and the speed with which obsolecence sets in.
Which one of the above components is likely to have the most positive impact on the Sound Quality?
Thank you all.
I am a Rossini Apex Player kinda guy, have been a dCS fanboy and owner for decades, and am also Mr Reiki Audio. Probably more fitting if I answer any tech or similar Qs by direct message, email or whatever.
Nigel
Hi Nigel,
Thank you for your message. And great to meet you. I will email you through your website.
Great to hear! You will definitely enjoy the upgrade and what it does to your overall performance.
To many Tempus was a step up from the original Reiki. And the Muon2 will be on another level. So based on my experience I wouldn’t buy a switch without at least hearing Network Acoustics. Very interesting for you, they offer a 60 day money back guarantee (which to my knowledge no one else does in high-end hifi, obviously they are very convinced about their stuff)
You might also try the Ethernet filter alone first, as this is already a very noticeable improvement. The Muon Pro was the preferred choice by many high-end users worldwide.
Many thanks for your insightful advice, Pdave.
Welcome to the dCS Community, Pdave.
What does the rest of your system look like today, including streamer and DAC? You seem to know a good bit about NA so it might be worth sharing what of theirs you use (presuming you do). Context always helps! Thanks
Thank you, glad to join this great community. The network environment is something I have invested quite some time over the years, and was interesting to see how things evolved since the release of UpTone EtherRegen and other switches as well as Ethernet filters. I ended up using a NA Muon Pro and Tempus. Currently I’m running a LUMIN into a Mytek Manhattan II, clocked by a dCS Scarlatti, into Accuphase E-5000. Considering replacing the LUMIN/Mytek/Scarlatti setup with an integrated dCS streamer/DAC.
There is also a secondhand innuos PhoenixNet switch for sale on pinkfish forum at a good price at the moment that might be of interest