Gustard Network Switch... Thoughts?
- Thread starter Greyandy
- Start date
Unfortunately I can’t use smileys because the additional cpu load they place on my iPad causes such an increase in RFI that my system is barely listenable. If you don’t have such a sensitive system or sensitive ears as mine you should count yourself lucky.Appropriate smiley required. There are some here who'll take that seriously.
tuga
Legal Alien
With 4 being the Chinese unlucky number and 8 the lucky one, that makes sense to me.
I knew there must be a reason.
garyi
leave blank
Invested?
Clock aside, I think that this thing may only be able to give any improvement if there is a problem to solve. Same with power conditioners - if you already have clean power they can’t make any difference.
I do however have an itchy finger poised over the ‘Buy’ button with the ever present hope and excitement that yet another magic box will help transport me to audio nirvana!
I do however have an itchy finger poised over the ‘Buy’ button with the ever present hope and excitement that yet another magic box will help transport me to audio nirvana!
davidsrsb
pfm Member
Ethernet magnetics consist of a transformer, that has to block DC and 50 Hz up to several hundred volts while passing a signal that goes up to 300 MHz or more and a common mode choke that keeps RF noise under control.
Shielded vs unshielded does make a big difference. If you use shielded F/UTP cable, it must have the shield connected at both ends to work. This means the the signal grounds are connected, so you MAY have an earth loop
Shielded vs unshielded does make a big difference. If you use shielded F/UTP cable, it must have the shield connected at both ends to work. This means the the signal grounds are connected, so you MAY have an earth loop
I might end up taking one for the team on this...
If it does bring an improvement to your system then you should maybe ask why? And if the answer is that your streamer or DAC is hopelessly unprotected from whatever bad karma is sneaking in from your Ethernet cabling then wouldn’t a better way of making yourself poorer be to spend the money on a better streamer or DAC?
tuga
Legal Alien
Or they know their target consumer audience all too well.
vacuum_tubes
pfm Member
I'm of a mind that trying to discuss why switches shouldn't make a difference or if they do it's because it's a poor streamer/DAC design is pointless.
Once the foo is debunked the inevitable default response of "why don't you just try it then" is deployed.
Once the foo is debunked the inevitable default response of "why don't you just try it then" is deployed.
So whatever your personal view, someone on the point of purchase of one of these shouldn't even try one from a well-known brand? That's enlightened!
rontoolsie
pfm Member
Even Naim jumped from the 3-series to the 5-series, leapfrogging over the 4's.
That is why there are Nait 3 and Nait 5 amps, but no Nait 4 ones.
vacuum_tubes
pfm Member
Yep, pretty much, you'd be an idiot to buy an audiophile network switch let alone spend £3000 on one which effectively costs you £1000 per NIC.
Everyone's free to do or buy what they want but I'm also free to think they are an idiot.
gez
pfm Member
Especially when that kind of money could buy you this:
Cisco CBS350-48NGP-4X-UK network switch Managed L3 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) Power over Ethernet (PoE) 1U Silver | Equipment HQ
Managed, 40 x 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, 8 x 100M/1G/2.5G/5G PoE+ ports (8 support 60W PoE), 4 x 10G ports (2 x 10G copper/SFP+ combo + 2 x SFP+), 740W PoE power budget, UK
www.equipment-hq.co.uk
Cisco CBS350-48NGP-4X -- 40 x Gigabit Ethernet + 8 x 5G + 4 x 10G