Strange things and questions - NDS

1  It's likely to.  (Most [such as a Netgear GS105] will add benefit, but several people have reported particularly good results with Cisco 2960s)

2  Yes - probably (but not absolutely definitely!)

3 that depends - see below

It's just possible that your system is suffering from a high level of RFI 'mush' getting into the system.  It's worth getting a load of clip on ferrites (I recommend ones for Würth Elektronik - you can get them from CPC Farnell).

WRT the Synology, are you plugging the SMPS into the same mains circuit as the NDS?

With the Synology you also need to make sure you're not creating a mains loop through shielded Ethernet cables, as both the Synology and the NDS connect the shield of the Ethernet port to mains earth.

Huge posted:

1  It's likely to.  (Most [such as a Netgear GS105] will add benefit, but several people have reported particularly good results with Cisco 2960s)

2  Yes - probably (but not absolutely definitely!)

3 that depends - see below

It's just possible that your system is suffering from a high level of RFI 'mush' getting into the system.  It's worth getting a load of clip on ferrites (I recommend ones for Würth Elektronik - you can get them from CPC Farnell).

WRT the Synology, are you plugging the SMPS into the same mains circuit as the NDS?

With the Synology you also need to make sure you're not creating a mains loop through shielded Ethernet cables, as both the Synology and the NDS connect the shield of the Ethernet port to mains earth.

Thanks.
3.1. I'm not familiar with those clips. Where should I put them?
3.2. The Synology and the NDS are connected to different mains circuits.
3.3. How do I make sure I'm not creating a mains loop? Both NDS ethernet cable and Synology ethernet cable are connected to the TP-LINK ethernet ports.

BP.

Hi BP

The ferrites should go:
On the Ethernet cable where it enters the NDS (N.B. don't bend Ethernet cables tightly) (in my case I benefit from ferrites on both ends of this cable).
On the DC lead from the Synology SMPS
You may want to put them in other places as well - they're pretty cheap.  However if you don't have RFI problems they won't give you any benefit (they're a very specific fix for a specific problem!).

Different mains circuits can give Eathing problems, but the answer is simple: use an unshielded (UTP) Ethernet cable from the Synology to the switch and a shielded (SSTP or SFTP) from the switch to the NDS.

If the TP-Link has a plastic case then there's probably not an earth loop in the Ethernet, if it's metal cased, then the combination of unshielded and shielded cables as above will fix the problem, but also use UTP from your computer to the switch).

It does not make sense that you get 'better' results with wifi  (I assume thats compared to ethernet)    I guess you are not using HD albums as I have yet to see any wireless handle 24/192 & depending on hub to player room environment its a struggle with 24/96.

Anyhow to my reason for this post;    you asked about what switch model;  I've had a Netgear GS105 for a few years & its as good a small form switch as it gets,  probably the market leader in its sector.  I have just relocated it to my office & replaced the hif witch with a Cisco SG110D-05,  it does not have metal shrouded ports & cannot carry the ethernet screen connection (no bad thing) if you elect to use STP cable.    Its performance is as faultless as the Netgear & it has better spec.  

I agree with Huge - the most likely thing you are experiencing is poor common mode electrical noise passing along your ethernet cables from your switch and / or switch-router. A ferrite choke will certainly work to impede that electrical noise.

There are some possible other scenarios but I think them unlikely. You could try a cheap little Netgear switch that connects your NAS, Mac, NDS and router together and see if things improve.

Yes not all media servers sound the same - they send the same data, but the timing and spacing of the data is different - and that can 'sound' different with system coupling - so assuming Huge's chokes and/or the additional switch helps then don't worry on  the media server - use the one you best like the sound of.

BTW there is absolutely no reason at all why wifi can not sound very very good indeed and can even have certain advantages over fixed ethernet in noisy environments  - its only real challenge is the throughout required for higher definition files using the wifi protocols Naim currently use and that it can suffer throughput  degradation  with congestion and distance - which is what Mike alludes to I believe. 

Simon

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

 - its only real challenge is the throughout required for higher definition files using the wifi protocols Naim currently use and that it can suffer throughput  degradation  with congestion and distance - which is what Mike alludes to I believe. 

Just so - a friend insisted on using wireless - "I've paid for it & I'm damn well gonna use it" - I helped him set the player/streamer/wireless hub/NAS,  it was ethernet wired from NAS to hub & wireless over about 4m through a stud wall.  It worked perfectly OK with his ripped 16/44 CD's & the first few downloads he bought.  Then I got a call,  he had bought some download albums & they are 'rubbish' & 'the download people are not helpful' & say 'the problem is in my system'.   They were a mix of 24/96 & 24/192.   I suspected the problem so took along my spare ethernet patch cables & some couplers;   instant fix.  OK I then got roped into installing the permanent cable & used a flat form Cat-6 that was a breeze to fiddle around corners & hide in skirting/carpet.   (he still thinks he's been ripped off in buying a wireless player that doesn't work)   

Presumably he thinks his car should be able to carry the same load as a Transit van!

You mean like this,  he tried suing the dealer but he didn't have a leg to stand on.    

Thanks all.

1. The TP-LINK has a plastic case.
2. I'm not streaming Hi-Res files so Wi-Fi has no drops at all.
3. As I said before, with Wi-Fi I get MUCH better results; instruments are extremely natural sounding, focus & weight are great (just close to naim's top CD players, but with a different presentation), female vocals are crystal clear, and the overall sound is very dramatic, non-digital, smooth and very very tube-ish.

With my cheap ethernet cable I simply can't hear the NDS because it's boring. period.
I suspect something is wrong with this specific cable - it's squashed in one place - maybe it's corrupted although bits are transferred.

I also suspect that my router is not good enough for this kind of hi-fi level, what do you think?

My next steps:
1. At the beginning, buying a Netgear switch (and maybe upgrade to the Cisco sometime).
2. Buying a C-Stream ethernet 15m cable.

I'll report my findings. 

BP.

Just a small chip in on optimising your streaming network playback. 

It would be helpful if you had / could borrow a good quality CD player (CDX2 with XPS / 555PS minimum or nDAC with at least CD5XS).

Essentially with a well implemented, insulated (from outside interference) streaming network your playback of CD materials should be superior via NDS. I used the same method when tweaking my network, untill I made my then NDX sound as good as my CDX2. When NDS was slotted in the superiority of it was clearly evident.

Our networking gurus have already advised you in this post on all aspects of what needs to be done, so no need for me to repeat this part.

Good luck and enjoy the music.

Adam

Adam Zielinski posted:

Just a small chip in on optimising your streaming network playback. 

It would be helpful if you had / could borrow a good quality CD player (CDX2 with XPS / 555PS minimum or nDAC with at least CD5XS).

Essentially with a well implemented, insulated (from outside interference) streaming network your playback of CD materials should be superior via NDS. I used the same method when tweaking my network, untill I made my then NDX sound as good as my CDX2. When NDS was slotted in the superiority of it was clearly evident.

Our networking gurus have already advised you in this post on all aspects of what needs to be done, so no need for me to repeat this part.

Good luck and enjoy the music.

Adam

 

 Hi Adam,
I have a CDS2+555PS DR, lots of comparisons... NDS + Wi-Fi is better in most cases.
I also prefer the NDS with one PS instead of two.

BP.

BPhotographer posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Just a small chip in on optimising your streaming network playback. 

It would be helpful if you had / could borrow a good quality CD player (CDX2 with XPS / 555PS minimum or nDAC with at least CD5XS).

Essentially with a well implemented, insulated (from outside interference) streaming network your playback of CD materials should be superior via NDS. I used the same method when tweaking my network, untill I made my then NDX sound as good as my CDX2. When NDS was slotted in the superiority of it was clearly evident.

Our networking gurus have already advised you in this post on all aspects of what needs to be done, so no need for me to repeat this part.

Good luck and enjoy the music.

Adam

 

 Hi Adam,
I have a CDS2+555PS DR, lots of comparisons... NDS + Wi-Fi is better in most cases.
I also prefer the NDS with one PS instead of two.

BP.

Ok - good.

Now you need to make your wired connection up to the same or even a higher standard.

This is in preparation for high-resolution audio, which in most cases need a stable LAN network.

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