yep I don’t disagree - I do feel that is linked to the Roon driver in Naim devices (and perhaps with some other manufacturers as well and I suspect it might improve in later software releases from Naim for their streamers… on certain other platforms I haven’t heard a notable performance drop - but as you infer that is an entirely different matter.
Last time I looked I am reasonably certain Roon did use its own multicast groups for control, so it is entirely possible that the very basic switch plane capability that we see in see in most so called consumer ‘audiophile’ switches don’t efficiently manage and just gratuitously broadcast the group frames out. Would that affect SQ? Possibly but I think unlikely unless a very poor network streamer in terms of design which and of course you will be expecting it to join the groups. For reference, UPnP / DLNA uses a control group as well, but is a different group to Roon.
I think it was definitely a sales pitch rather than being based on any real technical reason. Like you, I do not understand more packets would decrease SQ. Even if it did, with more broadband speeds the size of even hi-res files are easily dealt with by my router.
I’ve sent the iFI iPower2 back as the earth was plastic.
Out of interest, what decent power supply do you use or can recommend. I’ve searched but they are mainly plastic earths, so having a problem find a suitable one and could do with a point in the right direction.
Looking at the TP-Link MC100CM, this looks identical to the ADOT version, but at a fraction of the cost, around £20-25.
The Fibre Optic cable is also significantly less in cost than the ADOT version.
When I was looking to buy the TP-Link products, I was finding the total package around £50, which makes it worth trying. I ended up getting mine from eBay and there are a number on there, pre-owned and new, so worth looking there.
I did have some questions about the ADOT and emailed them, but so far haven’t yet received a reply.
You could presumably just get an MC02 or MC03 if you wanted an improved power supply which is grounded instead of double insulated.
The ADOT cable is clearly a bog standard LC terminated optical cable, which you can buy for literally pennies from a commercial supplier.
Maybe you will find a trick to make it sound better
I’ve tried Cisco switch with optical ethernet out, ADOT, TP-link, not to mention the exotic, boutique ER, EE, PN, etc. and I ended up preferring the Netgear GS108Tv3, now I’ve gone completely wireless, and could not be happier.
The power supplies that come with it are, I’m assuming, are SMPS, but I’ve searched for them on-line and so far drawn a blank. They are marked as AC Adapter, but inky cones up as AC /DC for the same model, so not really sure what they really are.
Yes, the optical cable I was initially looking was around £2, ADOTs are around £25.00
Hi DG - Good to see all is working. I use a Farad3, but I’d see how you get on with the present setup with the supplied PSUs and if you still find it beneficial then explore further on the PSU front.
I am trying out a ADOT MC01 Media converter with a Plixir power supply the cable is a 9 um single mode optical fibre cable terminating into SFP adapter at the back of my Linn Klimax DSM. This takes over from the Ethernet input which snakes through the house with about 30m worth of cable. So theoretically I have bypassed a lot of noise from the Ethernet cable.
And so it has proved.
Now the Klimax is no slouch with 3D imaging and separation of musicians and instruments. However the optical cable has brought everything into sharper relief. The music continues to flow in a very foot tapping manner but with even greater precision. It is all quite holographic now and quite effortless. An excellent upgrade if you can make it work in your system.
I used to have that Signature ethernet cable. It is great, but the end is so long and inflexible it makes it very hard to position a switch/converter box like this on a shelf unless it is right in the middle like you have it. I found this very frustrating as it meant my former switch had to be on a high shelf given the length of the cable. That Linn DSM is a beauty of a thing though, looks like a cracking system.
Agreed re the Cord Signiture Ethernet cable. The last one failed due to being brittle. I might just get it out of the way in the ground,as cable dressing is tricky. 1st world problems.
I’ve recently changed all my Chord streaming cables; Signature X / Epic / Clearway and now have a full loom CatSnake.
Not only is there no difference in sound, the CatSnake, albeit, a thick cable is very soft and easy to position.
Before I sold the Signature X streaming cable, I put it back in the system as the last cable from the switch to the Linn Selekt to double check. Result; nothing, no change, no wow moment.
