Colloms on Network Switches...

thanks a lot James!

Thanks James, my switch is on my lowest level of Fraim, so it sounds like it’s already optimised.

Dave

£17 for an online mag ????

Daft price but a decent read - it's actually a printed mag. Good journalism, interesting products reviewed, a decent music section and no adverts. Works for me. 

james n posted:

Ok - jist of the article is that MC was recently recommended to try the 2960 between his Unitiserve and NDS. Initially found it disappointing but experiments with feet and placing it on a spare Fraim shelf moved things up quite appreciably (mentioned it was extremely microphonic - comparable to a turntable). Nothing mentioned about the tech configuration of the switch. As well as a general uplift in system performance with the optimised 2960, streaming Qobuz tracks via the 2960 brought them nearly up to the level of the same tracks played via the US. Seems that the new switch now shows up greater differences in cables between US > Switch > NDS. Anyway seems he's pleased and will be experimenting more. Make of it what you will... 

On another note, Mike B, i agree about the Meicord Opal cables. I'd tried them before in a different setup and found no difference but the construction and general engineering of these cables were a step above most others. Having recently been able to use UPnP with the new Core Infinity streaming board, i revisited the Ethernet link between my Melco server and Devialet amp and found the Meicord to be an improvement over a generic CAT5e patch cable i'd been using. The only downside is the short length required and the stiffness of the cable meant some gentle forming of the cable was needed to avoid putting torsional stress on the connectors. Warmed with a hair dryer, the cable could be shaped nicely and stayed put when cool. Good value cables and sensibly engineered too. 

James

interesting -- I found the 2960 disappointing when I tried it -- I paid about £90 for it -- I put that down to maybe I got a duff unit, or personal preference. I didn't try anything else and 'microphony' is the absolute last thing I would have thought of.

I use Meicord cables between switch and Unitiserve and Ready NAS -- largely because I like the design... and they don't sound bad either. Between switch and NDS is a very cheap cable made by a German company... about whom I have posted before

enjoy

ken

Gotta ask,when we're talking here about optimizing a Cisco 2960 switch.

This does not apply to you in England,..you cannot turning the plug 180 degrees on the power cord,that is going into the wall socket.

On the power cord,the plug that will enter the Cisco....there we have three pin hole.
◾ Live.
◾ Neutral.
◾ Earth.
In which of the three prong holes do you have "Live",or as it is also called the electrical phase.?

/Peder ????

Obsydian posted:

£17 for an online mag ????

a bit pricey ....i have a monthly souscription per year for stereophile for around 10GBP, so 10GBP for 12 numbers.

French Rooster posted:

Obsydian posted:

£17 for an online mag ????

a bit pricey ....i have a monthly souscription per year for stereophile for around 10GBP, so 10GBP for 12 numbers.

as far as I know, HFC is funded totally out of subscriptions --no advertising income.  make of that what you will but in my view, its one of the better hifi mags around...

enjoy

ken

ken c posted:

French Rooster posted:

Obsydian posted:

£17 for an online mag ????

a bit pricey ....i have a monthly souscription per year for stereophile for around 10GBP, so 10GBP for 12 numbers.

as far as I know, HFC is funded totally out of subscriptions --no advertising income.  make of that what you will but in my view, its one of the better hifi mags around...

enjoy

ken

agree with you, one of the best magazine for hifi.   I buy sometimes it when there is enough interesting reviews.   But find it pricey.....

Peder posted:

Gotta ask,when we're talking here about optimizing a Cisco 2960 switch.

This does not apply to you in England,..you cannot turning the plug 180 degrees on the power cord,that is going into the wall socket.

On the power cord,the plug that will enter the Cisco....there we have three pin hole.
◾ Live.
◾ Neutral.
◾ Earth.
In which of the three prong holes do you have "Live",or as it is also called the electrical phase.?

/Peder ????

Or better still get the power of Ethernet variant, there is a 8 port version I have and you can them remotely power it via the Ethernet patch lead with a 48volt DC supply (this is one reason why of course Ethernet data connections must be galvanically isolated)... it works well. It keeps clutter and noisy mains cables away too.

Yes,I know Simon, you have told it before....I follow your writes and advice on switches and network ????.
But many people use their Cisco with regular power cord,hence the question.

/Peder ????

Yes in the UK, if directly powered they come with a regular IEC plug type lead and the live and neutral are wired as follows

https://www.electronics2000.co.uk/pin-out/iec.php

all single phase... neutral is the AC return. Neutral and ground are combined typically  at the substation.

I’ve finally cracked and should be taking delivery on Tuesday. A little daunted by the idea of a managed switch. Hopefully, it’s plug in and play without configuration or is this all explained on another thread?

Keith

My 2960 was plug and play. I’ve not touched it 

Yep , just plug in, let it do it’s network connections, flashing lights etc, then listen.

Thanks folks 

KRM posted:

I’ve finally cracked and should be taking delivery on Tuesday. A little daunted by the idea of a managed switch. Hopefully, it’s plug in and play without configuration or is this all explained on another thread?

Keith

Hi Keith, if used, just make sure the previous owner has reset it to factory default... in which case it will be plug and play and work like a regular consumer switch without any configuration necessary.

Thanks Simon

james n posted:

Ok - jist of the article is that MC was recently recommended to try the 2960 between his Unitiserve and NDS. Initially found it disappointing but experiments with feet and placing it on a spare Fraim shelf moved things up quite appreciably (mentioned it was extremely microphonic - comparable to a turntable). Nothing mentioned about the tech configuration of the switch. As well as a general uplift in system performance with the optimised 2960, streaming Qobuz tracks via the 2960 brought them nearly up to the level of the same tracks played via the US. Seems that the new switch now shows up greater differences in cables between US > Switch > NDS. Anyway seems he's pleased and will be experimenting more. Make of it what you will... 

On another note, Mike B, i agree about the Meicord Opal cables. I'd tried them before in a different setup and found no difference but the construction and general engineering of these cables were a step above most others. Having recently been able to use UPnP with the new Core Infinity streaming board, i revisited the Ethernet link between my Melco server and Devialet amp and found the Meicord to be an improvement over a generic CAT5e patch cable i'd been using. The only downside is the short length required and the stiffness of the cable meant some gentle forming of the cable was needed to avoid putting torsional stress on the connectors. Warmed with a hair dryer, the cable could be shaped nicely and stayed put when cool. Good value cables and sensibly engineered too. 

James

Thanks James. Does Martin reflect on the specific 2960 model he has tested? GB uplink, POE... ????

Chag -

Chag - He mentions a 13A IEC socket on the back so it sounds like the standard internal PS model. 

james n posted:

Chag - He mentions a 13A IEC socket on the back so it sounds like the standard internal PS model. 

Maybe he tried it with a Powerline to reduce microphony 

ken c posted:

james n posted:

Ok - jist of the article is that MC was recently recommended to try the 2960 between his Unitiserve and NDS. Initially found it disappointing but experiments with feet and placing it on a spare Fraim shelf moved things up quite appreciably (mentioned it was extremely microphonic - comparable to a turntable). Nothing mentioned about the tech configuration of the switch. As well as a general uplift in system performance with the optimised 2960, streaming Qobuz tracks via the 2960 brought them nearly up to the level of the same tracks played via the US. Seems that the new switch now shows up greater differences in cables between US > Switch > NDS. Anyway seems he's pleased and will be experimenting more. Make of it what you will... 

On another note, Mike B, i agree about the Meicord Opal cables. I'd tried them before in a different setup and found no difference but the construction and general engineering of these cables were a step above most others. Having recently been able to use UPnP with the new Core Infinity streaming board, i revisited the Ethernet link between my Melco server and Devialet amp and found the Meicord to be an improvement over a generic CAT5e patch cable i'd been using. The only downside is the short length required and the stiffness of the cable meant some gentle forming of the cable was needed to avoid putting torsional stress on the connectors. Warmed with a hair dryer, the cable could be shaped nicely and stayed put when cool. Good value cables and sensibly engineered too. 

James

interesting -- I found the 2960 disappointing when I tried it -- I paid about £90 for it -- I put that down to maybe I got a duff unit, or personal preference. I didn't try anything else and 'microphony' is the absolute last thing I would have thought of.

I use Meicord cables between switch and Unitiserve and Ready NAS -- largely because I like the design... and they don't sound bad either. Between switch and NDS is a very cheap cable made by a German company... about whom I have posted before

enjoy

ken

With you on 2960 Ken, as I am with 4.6 vs 4.4. We must have similarly impaired hearing ! 

kevin J Carden posted:

With you on 2960 Ken, as I am with 4.6 vs 4.4. We must have similarly impaired hearing ! 

just seen a picture of your listening room Kevin!! Looks fab with those Obelisks(?)! You should see how my SL2s are squeezed for space in my small office -- and the fact that Hifi has to share with work requirements.

I am using an 'ordinary' switch -- an 8-port Netgear -- nothing fancy -- i'm sure it can get bettered but I'm not going to worry about it. Since moved the 2960 on. 

Oh, and my  NDS 4.4 sounds still sounds comfortable and very engaging. I am very grateful to own a system like that at home..

enjoy

ken