Dec 15, 2021 20:00:00

The review of 'Ethernet switch for audiophiles' of about 260,000 yen became a hot topic

There are people in the world called audiophiles who devote their passion and money to listening to music in the best possible sound quality, and some are fierce people who install utility poles in their yard in pursuit of pure power. A review of the '$ 2,295 Ethernet switch ' released for such audiophiles has become a hot topic on the overseas social news site Hacker News.

Synergistic Research Ethernet Switch --Positive Feedback
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/synergistic-research-ethernet-switch-uef/

$ 2,295 5-port Ethernet Switch for Audiophiles | Hacker News
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29557688

An Ethernet switch is a switch-type hub used when building a network with a wired connection via Ethernet, and is also called a switching hub. The switching function reads the destination address in the packet and transmits the data only to the corresponding port, which is said to improve communication efficiency and security.

At first glance, it seems that there is not much connection between Ethernet switches and audio, but Synergistic Research, a manufacturer that develops cables and devices for audiophiles, has introduced a new Ethernet switch ' Ethernet Switch UEF ' for audiophiles. It is on sale. When listening to music with a streaming service, the sound quality of streaming can be improved by using the Ethernet Switch UEF for the Ethernet connection from the router to the listening room.

Below is a photo of the Ethernet Switch UEF. Introducing the audio equipment technology developed by Synergistic Research so far, it seems that it has a main body structure that combines machined aluminum and carbon fiber to suppress vibration and resonance. It is also said that the sound quality can be further improved by connecting other Synergistic Research devices.

So audiophile Robert S. Youman bought an Ethernet Switch UEF from his favorite maker, Synergistic Research, and posted

a review on the audiophile's web forum, Positive Feedback. Mr. Youman has an audio room in the basement of his house, but it seems that the Ethernet connection from the router on the second floor to the audio room is made via a cable of about 12 m, 'This long cable becomes a digital signal. It is quite possible to pick up high frequencies and other electrical noise that can affect you. '

Youman listens to 60% of analog records, 30% of local digital files, and 10% of digital by streaming, and streaming is mainly used to develop new music. Although the streaming service also provides fairly good sound quality, there are still some parts that are unsatisfactory compared to records and local digital files.

In fact, Youman compared the sound quality of multiple songs in Qobuz and Tidal , which are streaming high-quality sound, before and after the introduction of Ethernet Switch UEF, and compared streaming with his own analog records and digital. I listened to the files and compared them. The songs used for the review are 'The Price of Love' from Robert Plant & Alison Krauss's Raise the Roof , 'Black Chicken 37' from Buena Vista Social Club's Lost & Found , and Radiohead's Kid. a 'Everything in Its Place' of the recording, the movie ' Bullitt of' Original Soundtrack Youman said that it was like 'Ice Pick Mike' of the recording says.

After listening to these songs, Youman concludes that the Ethernet Switch UEF allows you to listen to songs from streaming services with fairly high quality, if not as good as local digital files. In some cases, it is better to use the Ethernet Switch UEF than the record to enjoy the sound quality.

'Synergistic Research's Ethernet Switch UEF has opened my eyes and ears. I love records, but when I need to downsize or simplify my system, or mainly for streamed digital music. There is no doubt that you would have been very happy with the Ethernet Switch UEF if you were dependent on it, 'Youman said, strongly recommending the Ethernet Switch UEF. Youman states that this review is just one of a number of data points, as it is based on his subjective feelings, preferences, and listening room conditions.

However, on social news site Hacker News, many users are skeptical about the effectiveness of Ethernet Switch UEF. 'This is a completely weird story. Is this review a satire? The idea that Ethernet switches can

affect listening in a different way than a ground loop or something is ridiculous,' said one user. If enthusiasts are worried about Ethernet, they insisted that they should even use fiber optic cables.

Other than that, 'This is a novel idea! Sell trash to people who think they are audiophiles. Certainly no one has ever done it.' 'Products for' audiophiles 'are angry. since sprung come, I do not even want to look at. This is a blatant anti-science, deliberately (the science) ignored and you have 'intense criticism and such, power socket that is used in Ethernet Switch UEF can be purchased cheaply at AliExpress goods There is also a comment to point out to be.

While many users criticized the Ethernet Switch UEF and its developer, Synergistic Research, 'I was amazed at the'carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum chassis to reduce vibration and resonance.'' It may be nice for engineers to enjoy designing boring switches on an uncompromising budget because of the existence of such people. ' There was also.

There is also a lot of discussion about 'What was the'improvement in sound quality'that Youman experienced?', And one user said, 'The human ear perceives sounds beyond the audible range. 'It's pointless to ask for better sound quality because you can't do that,' he said. 'I certainly agree 110% of what you said, but you get human'hearing'through something other than your ears.' We need to be careful not to rule out the possibility that it is possible, 'said some users, who were cautious about the possibility of unknown factors affecting hearing. In addition, since human senses are strongly influenced by the placebo effect , it is quite possible that audiophiles will actually feel that the sound quality has improved when listening to music with expensive equipment. ..