Hi streaming audio lovers.
Does anyone here have any experience with this switch? If so, i’d like to know a little more about it. How would it compare with something like a EE 8Switch for instance?
Many thanks in advance 
@garcon likes it.
2 Likes
I have acquired recently the Sotm switch with the clock board inside, it’s a great switch. It was an impulse buy and I am not totally sold on it.
First impressions is a clear, more defined sound and better soundstage, the bass became less present than what I have, the Sotm made my sound a little more digital less human. At the moment I am in a love and hate relation with it.
But lately I am having some sound issues on my Roon a not much time to find hat is causing it.
I am also waiting for the new ifi switch to arrive, let’s see if it goes well.
The Sotm does pair great with an sbooster and Also with sotm SPS500, the in the box small power supply works great with it but a better power supply could be an interesting option.
Take my opinion as it is, I have never done that well the audiophile network solutions, some work but most of them also degrade something. So if you can try before you buy and do not decide only because the sound different, try to understand if that diference is really better. Because I have a lot of this audiophile tweaks back in their boxes for some time mow.
3 Likes
I only use their mains block (in fact not tried anything else from SOtM)
3 Likes
Interesting. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
For the interim period i’m using my Cisco 2960 Series PD series network switch with MeiChord Opal Ethernet cables, and i have to say that it is shockingly good. Far better than i thought it would be.
I’m now looking towards a PhoenixNET v’s SOtM sNH-10G with internal clock module and sPs-500 PSU. This will be an impulsive purchase, with a 14 day money back guarantee, as i have no other way for home trialling, as both products are on offer online.
Do i press or not press the pay-up button? I do wish this streaming malarkey were a bit more simpler. Mmm…
You already have the one of the most suitable switches to use, that 2960. It has quality serialisation clock, correct and optimally handled multicast groups (used by many services now) and just its stuff by default. You can also use it to debug should you ever want to.
Many so called audiophile switches in my experience use very basic and primitive switching chipsets that don’t always handle mcast groups in an optimal way.. meaning your streamer can be bombarded with data it doesn’t want or need potentially creating unwanted noise.
Streaming is simple and plug and play the vast majority of the time (which is why it’s so popular for video and audio) … I think it’s those trying to shift product perhaps make it something it isn’t.
If you have a modern streamer and there is a noticeable SQ difference (as opposed to detecting a slight shift) between quality/commercial grade switches then you may have common mode or RF issue (or have a poor streamer).. just like as you might have connecting SPDIF from your TV to your DAC.
2 Likes
Hi Simon,
my 2960 PD Series is an new (old stock) fresh out of the box and purchased online for £70 unit. It was either that or a £32 Netgear GS-105E. I’m assuming when you say by ‘default’ i just plug-in and off i go. I don’t want to be faffing around with any settings on a computer. Needless to say all working perfectly fine and sounding really good.
I have around £6.5k that i was going to invest into my network. £10k at a push. Obviously i’d be much happier in only shelling out £70 as this will free up funds for other directions.
Kind regards,
Stephen
Yep.. if it’s new or has been reset by its previous owner (which is likely for security) then just plug it in and play… the default settings are pretty optimal for home streaming.
I think £70 is all you need… just think what you could do with the rest of the £6430 …
1 Like
Also following @Simon-in-Suffolk advice, I picked up a NOS, Cisco WS-C2960C-12PC-L V01, 12 Port PoE Switch.
It was brand new, boxed with all the original accessories included.
This is set up as follows;
Gigaclear Fibre Router (400mbps) —> Gigaclear Mesh Node —> NetGear GS108 Switch —> Cisco C2960 (100mbps) Switch —> Linn Selekt DSM: Edition Hub.
All the Ethernet cables are CatSnake 6a (Floating) and are;
- Router to Mesh Node; 7m
- Mesh Node to NetGear; 1m
- NetGear to Cisco; 1m
- Cisco to Linn; 8m
A fairly simple set up and works well although had to use an additional Switch as the Mesh Node only has one RJ45 socket out.
Previously have tried EE8, EE1, Fibre Media Converters, Chord Clearway, Epic and Signature Super ARAY streaming cables and, the present set up gives a much nicer sound than the exotic cables and switches, etc.
DG…
DG…
3 Likes
Echoing some of the above;
Take a look at the Cisco CBS110 range. Current products, well supported. Plug & play. Take a look at the specs on their web site; just try & get that kind of detail from the ‘hifi’ switch ‘manufacturers’!
This is a range of modern, quality switches that have all that is needed. A well established and high quality brand.
On a related note; don’t get too side tracked by all the ‘LPSU must be better than SMPS’ nonsense. A well implemented SMPS works very well, particularly in switches.
I went for the CBS110-16T to get the internal power supply. Streamer was more responsive as was TV streaming through Apple TV.
& yes, I’ve had many ‘audiophile’ switches, so I do have actual personal experience.
Cable from switch to streamer certainly can have a positive impact, but that topic is well covered elsewhere.
A switch making the sound more digital is the complete opposite of what I would require it to do. Thanks for the heads up. 
Could you explain what a modern streamer has or does to combat this? And are there any other ways to mitigate common mode/RF issues? I never understood why certain streamers are more sensitive to it than other. For example, many Grimm MU1/2 streamer owners sell their fancy audiophile switches as the streamer is extremely good at handling noise from the Ethernet wire. On the other hand, I have a rather modern streamer for which I can immediately hear a difference with various switches I tried. I guess I have these RF issues in my system.
FWIW I found the EtherRegen a clear step up from the Cisco, which was in turn a nice improvement on the previous version Netgear GS100e. I then ended up daisy-chaining two EtherRegens powered by a Sean Jacobs DC3+ linear power supply (another signifyimprovement). But in my system the Innuos Phoenix Net took thing a big step further in instrumental texture, “analogue “ flow, scale, intimacy, soundstage and general emotional presence/connection.
2 Likes
why don’t you just remove the GS108 and simply use the 2960. It will be more efficient unless there is a reason to daisy chain?
Modern higher quality designs tend to be designed better so as to better decouple the ethernet stack and hardware from the rest of the renderer and its audio clock through physical separation and methods like using LVDS to connect modules so there is less likely to be side effects from the ethernet cabling. Note that doesn’t mean all modern products are well designed in this regard as it tends to cost more to manufacture.
1 Like
Unfortunately the Giagclear Mesh Node has only one spare RJ45 socket and the Cisco and NetGear are two different speeds. The Cisco is 100mbps and the GS108 is 1Gbps. The Cisco is just for the Linn, whereas the GS108 is for everything else in the house.
DG…
Right, so in the end it doesn’t matter if it’s a modern product but the way it’s designed. That does make sense then as many of us do find audiophile switches providing SQ benefits.
Anyone else here tried a SOtM sNH-10G switch in their Naim system? At 7/8 years old in design i’m a little surprised that there are very few here with more info on it 
Went from Cisco 2960 to Etheregen to PhoenixNet. From the first to the last, it’s a box upgrade.
But you had the EE8 with Farad I think to remember. Should be enough normally.
1 Like
The SOTM is good, but the prices of switches are getting crazy, on my system it was an upgrade on a lot of small things, but not all the things it upgraded was something perfect, and that loss in bass is something I do not want to lose in my system.
Most audiophile network switches I have tried made the sound became more hi-fi and less human every time in my system and living room. Normally the sound growns, gets more clear and defined, bass losses extension and becomes more tight but less extended, but overall it loses naturally and pleasure.
1 Like