UnitServe and EMI

Posted by: antmast on 22 June 2013

How far should I keep my UnitServe from my NetGear ReadyNas (I have 2). I am not an engineer so I don't understand if these components interfere with each others performance. What about my Simaudio DAC. How far should this be from both  the UnitServe or the Nas. Thnks. 

Posted on: 22 June 2013 by totemphile

Naim's official recommended distance is double that of NACA5, i.e. 7m but some have reported it sounds better, if put in the attic. I doubt that, surely the best place to set it up will be the cellar. Why? Well because the cellar is underground and hence offers better shielding from horrible RFI. Makes sense, no?

Posted on: 22 June 2013 by antmast

To the forum, which component is in need of separation from which?

Posted on: 23 June 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi, yes I am a little unclear as to what is being asked to be seperated... It's best to keep the NAS in a seperate room to the hifi as the NAS can be quite noisy with fans and whirring disks.

 

As far as EMI is concerned  the NAS radiation will be minimal and as long as the device is legal/constructed correctly and is not faulty it should be well within the EMI regulations. 

 

You may be thinking of Ethernet leads and SMPS. This RFI is conducted and radiated from the connected wires... Again as long as devices are legal/constructed properly and not faulty the radiation and effect will be minimal if observavable at all.

 

However some of our audio equipment being deliberately extremely sensitive can be subtly or even significantly affected...

So keep SMPS well away, preferably on another ring main - or at least another socket, and keep Ethernet leads well away from sensitive audio equipment and definitely not running along side speaker / interconnect / FM aerial / mains lead. If you have to have an ethernet lead near your hifi such as NDS / NDX etc, you can try and put a RF choke around the outside of Ethernet leads to impede RF currents that are travelling on the shield or are common mode, or better still use a LAN isolator.

 

I have found using shielded a Ethernet lead with a ferrite check to connect to my Network player improves the audio. I also keep my Ethernet LAN switch well away in another room from my audio equipment.

 

Simon

Posted on: 23 June 2013 by antmast

wOW. Thanks for the info. Originally the Unitiserve sat on top of the DAC. When they were separated by a couple of cabinet shelves I got an unexpected boost in sound quality. You have me now wondering about the Ethernet leads. Will look into your suggestiion

Posted on: 23 June 2013 by antmast
Originally Posted by totemphile:

Naim's official recommended distance is double that of NACA5, i.e. 7m but some have reported it sounds better, if put in the attic. I doubt that, surely the best place to set it up will be the cellar. Why? Well because the cellar is underground and hence offers better shielding from horrible RFI. Makes sense, no?


Well I may be moving the Nas, internet switch and routers to a separate room. Fortunately I am in a condo, bottom floor.