English Electric 8Switch

I had the 200w before. Very good. The 300 w must be even better. Very well build If not made in China, it would cost probably the double

I was actually trying to raise a third issue:

  • how to small companies with very limited resources develop and supply technically sophisticated products that enhance sound quality?

Leveraging outside competence and capabilities seems to be part of the answer.

Regarding your first issue I am firmly in the camp that says that if it works it works no matter what’s inside the box and no matter if it is based on a deep understanding of technology or a fundamental misunderstanding (and a fluke).

Regarding the second I did not mean to imply that Chord are dishonest, they seem quite conservative in their claims compared to many others. There is quite a lot of marketing hyperbole going around that I believe most of us have learnt to take with a large dosage of salt.

Hans

The other consideration is that in the UK we have quite strict advertising standards and trading standards regulation, and UK companies making unsubstantiated claims can end up with formal action against them.

1 Like

Hi HansW,

Your “third” point falls into the “are they honest” category.

They can source design from outside the company, just like they can source components and even manufacture from outside the company. They can outsource to other countries, either as part of their own company, or to independent companies.

Just be honest about it.

As regards the “sound” of a component, ie my first point, sure, it makes no difference whether that sound was arrived at purely by chance, or by deep technical and scientific thought and development, or even some combination.

But phrases such as “developed with the audiophile in mind” could be misleading and hence dishonest.

Did you order an Etherregen switch from Signals?
Or Audiostore?

I have not ordered yet Jim, the switch will come from Audiostore. I talked to Andy at Signals who will talk with the Plixir psu distributor about the Plixir psu that is specially modified with even lower noise components for switches and routers. Once I understand what i will be purchasing i will stick an order in with Audiostore, the psu i can then demo at Signals.

Thanks Gazza.

That makes sense.

As far as I know Audiostore is the sole dealer of ERs for the UK.

Yes thats my understanding, i think they have a new batch arriving end of the month.

I think Chord are very open about their use of freelance consultants such as Rob Watts.

Wrong Chord.

Sorry! You are right.

I would tread carefully, with the Etheregen switch, from reviews and users comments. In my experience, items that run reportedly operate as hot as the Etheregen switch, usually suffer from a shorter mean time between failure without some type of cooling. I guess the only true test, will be the passage of time.

It had crossed my mind, will keep it well ventilated and hope for the best.

Yes, that is to be recommended. However, my most foremost concern would be. If the exterior case is reportedly running at such a high temperature, what are the electronic components running at, in such a small sealed enclosure.

1 Like

I checked the correspondence on a couple of forums, very few seemed to have failed and they Uptone do extensive heat testing at much higher temps. Will probably put a heat sink on it, i think French rooster has done this and also others. @Darkebear has had one for some time with no concerns and no mention of excessive heat?

Heat is watts & indicates the switch pulls a lot of amps, & I wonder why.
The EE 8Switch (made by Thunder Data & the same as their Silent Angel Bonn N8) has a 5v 1amp SMPS, thats 5 watts & is very low heat, plus it has a no load power consumption < 0.075 watts, & that means no heat in practical terms.

You shouldn’t have to buy a component and then put a heatsink on it. If it needed one it should be there in the first place (or in a larger case).

Its rated at 12v/0.8amp?

I will wait for darkbear to comment, he has not mentioned, so perhaps a non issue.

To me this doesn’t sound misleading… why would “non audiophiles” spend x10 on this switch (compared to a standard gigabit switch) if not interested in it’s potentially positive effect on sound.