English Electric 8Switch

In the manual they show all these things connected, there is a reason it has 8 ports I guess. Whether it changes SQ if the router is on it too, who knows, you have to try, but I doubt it. I wouldn’t plug a busy webserver into the same switch :slight_smile:

My first post on Naim forum in a long time. I switched from Naim stack + passive speakers to Linn + active speakers in early 2019 and have been extremely happy with the change. Recently we moved to a new apartment and while setting up the system here I got a new spark for tweaking the system further. I added GAIA II isolators under the speakers and isolation platform under Linn ADSM and couldn’t believe the difference. Most of it was the GAIAs though.

Now audiophile switches got my attention and 8Switch seemed like the best and most reasonable (if you can use that word for audiophile switch) solution. I have Netgear GS105GE + iFi PSU between wall socket and the Linn streamer. So I picked up 8Switch from our local dealer today and hooked it up. I connected it to Linn with the supplied C-stream cable and experimented with my Deltaco Cat6a unshielded cables against it. I also picked up longer C-stream and Melco ethernet cable to audition between wall socket and 8S.

After switching GS105 and 8S few times tonight, I can say that 8S does improve the sound. What surprised me is that it’s the PRaT which improved most. Dynamics and sound balance are pretty much on par with both, maybe slightly deeper bass with 8S, but with 8S everything is easier to follow. The famous foot tapping factor is higher and the sound opens up better.

About the cables. Surprisingly between wall socket and 8Switch, I found out that the cheap Deltaco unshielded cable was clearly the best. More open and more weight on the sound, slightly better dynamics. After this I thought that Deltaco is probably better between 8Switch and Linn also but no, here C-stream worked better. I didn’t try Melco here. I’ll continue experimenting this weekend.

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Bought one of these today spotted s/h on hebay. Mainly to tidy up the floor situated Cisco 2960.

If it changes nothing I’ll be happy with the tidy-up.

G

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I bought one last week, and I’m kind of in shock at how much better everything sounds. Give it a few hours for that tiny Chord-C stream cable to run-in.

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I’m using all ‘Blue Jeans’ 6a - Where do you use the C-Stream in the chain? Switch to player?

Thanks

Graeme

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I use it for the EE port “In” from my router/LAN. BJC is used elsewhere ie. EE switch(1-7) to my ND5XS2.

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Just received my BJC Cat6a cables this week. For me, the best combo seems to be BJC between wall socket and 8S and bundled 75cm C-stream between 8S and Linn ADSM. I also tried BJC all the way but it just sounds better with C-stream going from switch to Linn. Then again, C-stream between wall socket and switch doesn’t work as well as BJC or even bulk Cat6a I had before.

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That’s where I’ve put the C-Stream. I’ve taken the Cisco 2960 out and hooked up the EE8. Settling down for a session now.

G

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Very interesting. I may have to try this as well. I’m sure loving what the 8Switch has done thus far.

Let us know what you think @GraemeH. I’m thinking of trying what Patu does as an experiment.

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The C-Stream’s may be relatively inexpensive in Chord’s lineup but but they are surprisingly good. I’m using Chord’s Sarum T’s and Musics but I’ve used C-Streams as well.

The problem with them is that construction reflects their low price and I’ve broken several.

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Fun and games here. Hooked up the EE first plugged into a convenient mains extension block located behind the hifi that has the nas, router and Virgin box on it.

It all sounded a bit meh, flat and a tad shouty. Girded my loins to get in about the wiring after lunch and managed to get the EE plugged into a most inaccessible wall socket (where the Cisco had been plugged).

Pressed play, sat back and…silence. Calm, check all connections Virgin hub, nas, EE, NDX2…all good. Still silence.

Yup, in all the fiddling about I’d only gone and pulled the PL lite out the back of the 250DR…just a smidge but just enough.

Fortunately it didn’t fuse and so now for the good bit. It sounds GR8! I remember the effect adding the Cisco had a few years ago and this is like another step again. It’s subjectively that ‘noise-floor’ thing which I don’t profess to understand but you know it when you hear it. Everything sounds more immediate, cleaner (in a good way).

The little Tab 10 Sigs are blasting out some ‘Caravan’ and it’s so coherent with more of these tiny cues evident that make it more like a window into the recording sudio.

Mine was s/h on hebay but having heard it I’d happily pay the full asking price.

G

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Definitely getting one myself, but saving up for a Ndx2 is a long hard slog.

Just like ensuring the mains is sorted, it’s becoming increasingly apparent the incoming ethernet signal/connection rewards cossetting as well.

Nice find on ebay !

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Awesome to hear @GraemeH! It really is nice and surprising in a good way. Finding one s/h on the bay, you really scored!!

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Thanks both. It’s mint with all packaging so it wasn’t a huge bargain but enough of a discount for me to gamble. Even if it had just tidied up the mess of the floor sited Cisco.

G

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Sounds like it’s done that and more! Happy listening! I keep listening to random tracks I know well and keep hearing a better coherence and more details that have come to alive within the track.

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This is all fascinating and I suspect the next evolution for me! This is why this forum is so good. :sunglasses:

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My wife say’s exactly the same thing (hahahahaha!)

G

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HA! I suspect this is an untruth good sir… But that was a good giggle.

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They talk about the forum a lot on Loose Women