linear ps for switch and routers

For a cheap option (about £45) try iFi iPower if you can get one with the correct rating. Perhaps more importantly, HiFi on a dedicated mains circuit and peripheral decices on a different mains circuit.

I decided to get rid of as many SMPSs as possible. For my switch I bought a cheap Chinese R-Core LPSU from a popular auction site; £60.

I feel this delivered a less edgy sound.

I replaced my IFI 9V with an SBooster. This revealed more high frequency detail.

Have you powered the optical bridge with LPSUs?

M

I solved this by getting a Cisco switch and an Airport Extreme. Both have internal power supplies so the whole issue simply disappears. 

HH,

I have a CISCO switch, but as far as I am aware this uses an SMPS; so I use a Netgear switch + LPSU with my HiFi.

M

Mr Underhill posted:

HH,

I have a CISCO switch, but as far as I am aware this uses an SMPS; so I use a Netgear switch + LPSU with my HiFi.

M

I don't know how many different switches Cisco make, but quite a few, and some of them have built in PSUs. Probably these would be SMPS?

I hope so. What is wrong with SMPS? 

Nothing. Sequential mobility particle sizers are lovely things.

Mr Underhill posted:

I decided to get rid of as many SMPSs as possible. For my switch I bought a cheap Chinese R-Core LPSU from a popular auction site; £60.

I feel this delivered a less edgy sound.

I replaced my IFI 9V with an SBooster. This revealed more high frequency detail.

Have you powered the optical bridge with LPSUs?

M

 

yes, the end of the bridge, near nds, is powered by a psu.  I heard an notable improvement with this bridge. But i wonder if putting linear ps on the the router and first switch before the bridge is useful...(?)

I put an ifi on a Paul Pang switch and there was a clear (even if not dramatic) improvement.

Should be getting an LPS-1 soon and will swap it out and let you know the outcome.

I thought the Paul Pang switch was the dog's bollocks, the mutt's nuts, and was impossible to improve. Seems not. 

Keler Pierre posted:

Mr Underhill posted:

I decided to get rid of as many SMPSs as possible. For my switch I bought a cheap Chinese R-Core LPSU from a popular auction site; £60.

I feel this delivered a less edgy sound.

I replaced my IFI 9V with an SBooster. This revealed more high frequency detail.

Have you powered the optical bridge with LPSUs?

M

 

yes, the end of the bridge, near nds, is powered by a psu.  I heard an notable improvement with this bridge. But i wonder if putting linear ps on the the router and first switch before the bridge is useful...(?)

I power my downstream FMC from an HDPLEX; the upstream one with an iFi (on a different circuit). Noticed a small increase in sound quality by powering the upstream with the iFi. In my office I power a pair of FMC's to the UQ with iFi's - one of them I use a Y splitter on the cable and also power a 5v switch - the two FMC's and switch are all plugged into the same wiremold strip (and the UQ into the same outlet). No idea what's doing what the most (I had the two iFi's on hand) but it sounds dang good! 

sbilotta posted:

I put an ifi on a Paul Pang switch and there was a clear (even if not dramatic) improvement.

Should be getting an LPS-1 soon and will swap it out and let you know the outcome.

because i understood that the bridge is to put off  the noise from ethernet and linear ps on router and switch shall have the same effect. So the addition of the two is perhaps too much....i don't know. But yes, let me know the effect of your lp-1 when you can. Thanks

Hungryhalibut posted:

I thought the Paul Pang switch was the dog's bollocks, the mutt's nuts, and was impossible to improve. Seems not. 

i use neatgear switch from the router, then optical bridge and the final switch where is connected the audioquest diamond ethernet to the nds. On the neatgear i put meicord ethernet to the unitserve. The unitserve has tp ps.

charlesphoto posted:

Keler Pierre posted:

Mr Underhill posted:

I decided to get rid of as many SMPSs as possible. For my switch I bought a cheap Chinese R-Core LPSU from a popular auction site; £60.

I feel this delivered a less edgy sound.

I replaced my IFI 9V with an SBooster. This revealed more high frequency detail.

Have you powered the optical bridge with LPSUs?

M

 

yes, the end of the bridge, near nds, is powered by a psu.  I heard an notable improvement with this bridge. But i wonder if putting linear ps on the the router and first switch before the bridge is useful...(?)

I power my downstream FMC from an HDPLEX; the upstream one with an iFi (on a different circuit). Noticed a small increase in sound quality by powering the upstream with the iFi. In my office I power a pair of FMC's to the UQ with iFi's - one of them I use a Y splitter on the cable and also power a 5v switch - the two FMC's and switch are all plugged into the same wiremold strip (and the UQ into the same outlet). No idea what's doing what the most (I had the two iFi's on hand) but it sounds dang good! 

i don't know what is iFi?  i use also hdplex to power my final switch, where the nds is connected.

Mr Underhill posted:

I decided to get rid of as many SMPSs as possible. For my switch I bought a cheap Chinese R-Core LPSU from a popular auction site; £60.

I feel this delivered a less edgy sound.

I replaced my IFI 9V with an SBooster. This revealed more high frequency detail.

Have you powered the optical bridge with LPSUs?

M

 

do you have also the optical bridge?   i don't know if it is useful to put linear ps on the router and first switch and also have an optical bridge. Perhaps it is too much?

iFi Audio make neat little SMPS in various voltages that are extremely low noise and supposedly don't inject much back into the mains. For $49 they're great for purposes such as switches, FMC's etc, or in set ups like my office where $ is the priority. The HDPLEX better the iFi with my micrRendu, but not by much. The Uptone LPS-1 trounced both. I like the HD though as it's so versatile. 

charlesphoto posted:

iFi Audio make neat little SMPS in various voltages that are extremely low noise and supposedly don't inject much back into the mains. For $49 they're great for purposes such as switches, FMC's etc, or in set ups like my office where $ is the priority. The HDPLEX better the iFi with my micrRendu, but not by much. The Uptone LPS-1 trounced both. I like the HD though as it's so versatile. 

ok thanks. I have hdplex on a switch and sometimes it switches off, but rarely now.

I’ve been toying with the same question, wondering whether to treat the modem and router as an integral part of the audio system that might benefit from better power supplies or grounding devices.   It makes sense intuitively, but I had no first-hand experience until recently.  For years, I simply plugged the modem and router into a cheap computer power strip separate from other computer gear in the office.   Elsewhere in a separate part of the house, my audio system got the VIP treatment for power delivery:  a dedicated spur, an expensive Furutech receptacle with carbon cover, an Audience AR6 Power Distribution Center, Naim Powerline or Sablon power cables, etc.  

A few weeks ago I decided to relocate the modem, router and server from an office desk to a nearby closet.  This seemed like a good time to buy a decent power strip to connect the devices...  in the slight chance the sound quality might improve.  I ended up purchasing a used IsoTek Sirius EVO power strip for $350 that performs mild filtration and isolates the connected devices.  After plugging in the modem, router, and server, I went upstairs for a quick listen.  The improvement in sound quality was obvious from the first notes.  Music was clearer with better instrument placement.  There was noticeably less congestion and brightness with louder passages.  The improvement was better than any previous cable change or adding the IFI IPower converter to the modem a few months back.  

Another surprise was these improvements occurred when streaming music from Tidal or server wirelessly with EERO router/WAPs.  One might think that a wireless connection would eliminate noise or other artifacts that degrade the sound.  However, my experience using a quality power strip says otherwise.   For those who stream, the modem, router and server are literally the "front-end" of the audio system.   These devices deserve special treatment to get the best sound quality.  Take your pick: power strip, linear power supply, grounding device, etc.  

Kendrick posted:

I’ve been toying with the same question, wondering whether to treat the modem and router as an integral part of the audio system that might benefit from better power supplies or grounding devices.   It makes sense intuitively, but I had no first-hand experience until recently.  For years, I simply plugged the modem and router into a cheap computer power strip separate from other computer gear in the office.   Elsewhere in a separate part of the house, my audio system got the VIP treatment for power delivery:  a dedicated spur, an expensive Furutech receptacle with carbon cover, an Audience AR6 Power Distribution Center, Naim Powerline or Sablon power cables, etc.  

A few weeks ago I decided to relocate the modem, router and server from an office desk to a nearby closet.  This seemed like a good time to buy a decent power strip to connect the devices...  in the slight chance the sound quality might improve.  I ended up purchasing a used IsoTek Sirius EVO power strip for $350 that performs mild filtration and isolates the connected devices.  After plugging in the modem, router, and server, I went upstairs for a quick listen.  The improvement in sound quality was obvious from the first notes.  Music was clearer with better instrument placement.  There was noticeably less congestion and brightness with louder passages.  The improvement was better than any previous cable change or adding the IFI IPower converter to the modem a few months back.  

Another surprise was these improvements occurred when streaming music from Tidal or server wirelessly with EERO router/WAPs.  One might think that a wireless connection would eliminate noise or other artifacts that degrade the sound.  However, my experience using a quality power strip says otherwise.   For those who stream, the modem, router and server are literally the "front-end" of the audio system.   These devices deserve special treatment to get the best sound quality.  Take your pick: power strip, linear power supply, grounding device, etc.  

so you recommend more the sirius isotek power strip than linear ps for router and switch ? or you recommend both, in conjunction ?  thanks

I can highly recommend the IsoTek Systems EVO 3 Sirius power strip for use with modem, router and server.  I cannot say whether this solution is better or "worse" than using a good linear power supply or grounding device because I have no personal experience with the other devices in this application.   I decided to use a power strip rather than a power supply or grounding device because it seemed like a simple, functional solution.   Imagine the clutter with multiple power supplies and grounding devices to treat modem, router, server and a switch!  

There is always something learn about audio.  After 15 years of streaming music, I somehow just stumbled on to the idea of treating the modem, router and server as the "front-end" of the system.   I read about audio regularly but seem to have missed the discussion on this topic.   Maybe it needs more attention.  Thanks, Keler, for raising the question and giving me a chance to share my experience.    

Kendrick posted:

I can highly recommend the IsoTek Systems EVO 3 Sirius power strip for use with modem, router and server.  I cannot say whether this solution is better or "worse" than using a good linear power supply or grounding device because I have no personal experience with the other devices in this application.   I decided to use a power strip rather than a power supply or grounding device because it seemed like a simple, functional solution.   Imagine the clutter with multiple power supplies and grounding devices to treat modem, router, server and a switch!  

There is always something learn about audio.  After 15 years of streaming music, I somehow just stumbled on to the idea of treating the modem, router and server as the "front-end" of the system.   I read about audio regularly but seem to have missed the discussion on this topic.   Maybe it needs more attention.  Thanks, Keler, for raising the question and giving me a chance to share my experience.    

i am tempted by your solution. I have already an optical bridge, so a simple power conditionner at the front of the router and switch seems having sense. I found one at half the price on internet... and the isotek sirius is not expensive.  thanks, good idea

Kendrick posted:

I can highly recommend the IsoTek Systems EVO 3 Sirius power strip for use with modem, router and server.  I cannot say whether this solution is better or "worse" than using a good linear power supply or grounding device because I have no personal experience with the other devices in this application.   I decided to use a power strip rather than a power supply or grounding device because it seemed like a simple, functional solution.   Imagine the clutter with multiple power supplies and grounding devices to treat modem, router, server and a switch!  

There is always something learn about audio.  After 15 years of streaming music, I somehow just stumbled on to the idea of treating the modem, router and server as the "front-end" of the system.   I read about audio regularly but seem to have missed the discussion on this topic.   Maybe it needs more attention.  Thanks, Keler, for raising the question and giving me a chance to share my experience.    

15 years of Streaming is a long time I just had an ipod back than and paid a fortune for it

Emre posted:

Kendrick posted:

I can highly recommend the IsoTek Systems EVO 3 Sirius power strip for use with modem, router and server.  I cannot say whether this solution is better or "worse" than using a good linear power supply or grounding device because I have no personal experience with the other devices in this application.   I decided to use a power strip rather than a power supply or grounding device because it seemed like a simple, functional solution.   Imagine the clutter with multiple power supplies and grounding devices to treat modem, router, server and a switch!  

There is always something learn about audio.  After 15 years of streaming music, I somehow just stumbled on to the idea of treating the modem, router and server as the "front-end" of the system.   I read about audio regularly but seem to have missed the discussion on this topic.   Maybe it needs more attention.  Thanks, Keler, for raising the question and giving me a chance to share my experience.    

15 years of Streaming is a long time I just had an ipod back than and paid a fortune for it

after 15 years of streaming, we can stream with one finger and closed eyes...  yes, i am joking. But seriously i don't know which is best: isotek sirius on router and switch or 2 linear power supplies for router and switch. The price is quite the same.

I put an iFi iPower (£45) on my Netgear switch, then replaced them with a managed Cisco switch with an integral linear power supply (£50 pre-loved) and have a cuddly toy linear power supply on my UnitiServe. All these changes produced some subtle improvement to these cloth ears. I would however recommend taking a placebo pill with each change to appreciate the full improvement in sound quality. 

Keler Pierre posted:

..................   i don't know which is best: isotek sirius on router and switch or 2 linear power supplies for router and switch. The price is quite the same.

With wireless hub (router) & switch power I advise to forget linear PS as these are not so electrically quiet as 'myth' has them, some are better than others but how to tell good from bad.  Per NigelB,  his suggestion of the iFi iPower SMPS is worth taking note of,  these units are significantly quieter than any LPS for a lot less money.  But another thing to note as mentioned by Nigel is the change/improvement in SQ in any of this PSU & mains noise subject is subtle (small & hard to detect)    In my system I have my wireless hub & switch power supplies connected to an APC UPS output,  this isolates these PS's from mains via the UPS internal isolation transformer & C&D mode choke,  so the ultra low iPower noise that does exist is further isolated .