If a cartridge for a turntable can cost thousands of dollars, why couldn’t a network switch? Innuos has helped bolster the idea that “everything matters”, even when it comes to digital audio playback further down the chain. While bits-are-bits believers will no doubt scoff at the idea, several demos from the Portugal-based Innous have proven that components before the DAC (at the very least music servers) can make a difference.
If that can be true, then further pursuing the notion of moving noise (of all types) further away from the signal via power supply separation and other means could be applied elsewhere. One way to think of it is not that these types of products miraculously make things sound better, but they might just mess up the signal a little bit less. The Innuos PhoenixNET Network Switch attempts to do just that. Borrowing some tech from the flagship STATEMENT product, this network switch looks to clean things up at the ethernet level via 4 areas – according to the press release:
Minimize Network Switch Noise – Reduces high-frequency noise through a simpler 100Mbps network switch chip with no power switching regulators. Connected through high-end Isolation Transformers to individual Amphenol RJ45 shielded jacks with no LEDs and complemented with EMI treatment to further prevent noise into the circuit.
Increase Clocking Precision and Stability – A 3ppb 25MHz OCXO oscillator, as used in our flagship STATEMENT, individually powered by its own linear power supply and connected directly to the network switch chip.
Provide Pristine Power to the Components – Two independent STATEMENT-grade linear power supplies designed by Sean Jacobs with CX modules and Mundorf Caps to individually power the OCXO clock and the mainboard, keeping the power path short with less opportunity for EMI contamination.
Minimize Vibration on Components – Vibration managed using custom-designed CNC machined aluminium feet with an internal compound tuned to the resonant frequency of the chassis. The top cover is treated to convert vibration into small amounts of heat and sturdy RJ45 ports use silicone rings to minimize vibration coming from the chassis.
The Innuos PhoenixNET Network Switch retails for $3,499 USD via the company’s dealer network.
More info: Innuos PhoenixNET Network Switch
