English Electric 8Switch

The NP800 looks like it can be lifted easily from the streamer almost looks like a memory module albeit bigger. Wonder if the design concept is easy replacement and if say an NP1600 is developed can be slotted into an existing streamer providing an upgrade path without replacing the unit.

1 Like

There is a little more to it, the motherboard is designed with the networking elements and interfacing elements to accept the NP800 which are very different compared to the first gen streamers.
So yes if you replaced the productā€™s motherboard and front end digital electronics (left side of the DAC) then in theory it could, but you would effectively have a new gen streamer then,

Simplistically, you can try and compare the block diagrams of the NDS/NDX with the ND555 and you might get an appreciation of this.

1 Like

Hi FR, how hit does the etheregen get during use? As i need to consider where to place it, is yours on a support or carpet, wood floor etc?

Mine is on the Fraimlite. Itā€™s a very little box. I have my linear ps on the same shelf which was unused before.
It needs air too, because it runs hot.

Thankyou, hmmn perhaps a fraimlite is needed

Itā€™s not as fussy about where you place it as the Cisco Catalysts , but depending on how your is set up thereā€™s no need for it to be on the rack. As for heat, itā€™s always warm to the touch. I have on my desk next to the Roon Nucleus.

1 Like

Thxā€¦just getting my ducks lined up in a row.

You are joking I feel. Any hard surface with air around world be good. Perhaps a granite slab behind your Fraim , on the floor, or on other rack or table.
As I run expensive cables with it, I have not a lot choices.

No not joking, just trying to get as much information to get the best SQā€¦if its-hot putting it on the carpet is a no no. But i have the Cisco on a wood butchers block behind my Fraimā€¦first try would be to remove Cisco and replace with the ER.

1 Like

I wonder how they do it. Chord have 18 employees, no R&D department and from what I can see no engineers on the pay roll. There is an advisor ā€™the Cable Doctorā€™; perhaps he is the ā€™Chord Company Engineersā€™?

If I where to market such a product I would try and get hold of someone like Simon-in-Suffolk to design it, then find an experienced purchaser to procure a company that could manufacture it for me. Chord do not seem to have any manufacturing capabilities for such a product.

Hans

3 Likes

Thanks @HansW, perhaps we need to talk about you being my agent :grinning:

4 Likes

And they didnā€™t make it, which if youā€™d bothered to read the OP I clearly state it was made in China.

Doesnā€™t stop it being an improvement in my system over a bare Cisco, and value for money.

2 Likes

Yes, good idea. Because buying just a Fraimlite for the switch would be a bit too muchā€¦
Butcher block is ideal.

The anticipation is killing me Gazza!

When do you get the ER?

1 Like

I had seen that and I certainly do not have any problem with it being manufactured in China. I also do not have any problem with finding outside expertise for development work. My comment probably comes across as much more of a put down that was intended. I have heard the 8Switch in a demo and I think I heard an improvement over a Netgear switch. With a longer trail I may also have found it to be a worthwhile investment.

Still, they do not seem to have the technological expertise in-house to develop it. I do think it is a pity that many companies in this industry are so small they cannot fund in-house research (some do of course). The work-around is to find external experts who can provide the understanding needed for development and manufacturers providing capabilities primarily for other industries that can be utilised for high end hifi. There arenā€™t many cable brands actually manufacturing cables or high end CD-player brands making CD transport mechanics.

The other Chord company is a good example of this. Rob Watts is a consultant and makes his living (as far as I know) in another field.

The reason I mentioned Simon-in-Suffolks was that (based on my limited understanding) he seemed to have a lot of insight into what can be dine to improve a switch from a sound perspective, ideas that havenā€™t been taken advantage of by the Chord Company.

Hans

Not for a while, they are on back order, Andy from Signals will also enquire with Plixir, as they have a specific switch/router power supply modified for even lower noise?

You tease us, Sir.

1 Like

We are dealing with two separate issues IMHO.

The first is whether or not the product enhances the purchaserā€™s enjoyment.
The second is whether or not the designer/manufacturer is being honest.

1 Like

I see that the HDPLEX 300watt unit is now approaching being available the end of the month. I went for one, primarly based on prior reccommendations and the fact that it has 4 outputs, a 12vdc fixed (for my eR), a 19vdc fixed (for Nucleus +), and 2 adjustable outs (I may succumb to a Mutec Ref 10. Its half size, so it frees up some real estate over other options. I will compare it to my ZeroZone ebay units which were a stopgap during Covid. Passed on the Sean Jacobs to save funds for the Mutec.

The Mutec is mains powered and has itā€™s own internal toroidal transformer linear power supplies. Thereā€™s a new SE version out now with an even higher spec (and of course an even higher price).