AQVOX SWITCH-SE Special Edition - Sound- and Video- Pictureimprovement Audiophile High-End Gigabit Ethernet Network-SWITCH 8 Ports*
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Including EU/US AC Power Adapter for USA, Canada, Taiwan, Japan
Including EU/UK AC Power Adapter for UK, Hong Kong, Singapore
Our many audiophile customers round the world say, this is the Switch, which in deed, improves the sound and video quality.
For audiophiles and videophiles, the best option to try. Simply the best Switch for Ethernet Networks.
Upgrade from the AQ-Switch-V1 to the SE version for 460,- EUR pus shipping
Reviews and tests of he SE peacial Edition
For details of the further modifications of the AQ-Switch SE version, see below.
NOTICE regarding the D-link basis
We do not use the D-Link Switch as a base because it sounds better than other switches. The D-Link sounds just as bad or "good" as other models. We use the D-Link because of its solid basis and our modifications are especially good to implement here.
To all who think the unmodified D-Link or similar models might be a good choice - it is not. And if you own a good NAS source like a Melco, the unmodified D-Link even degrades the sound quality. Our modifications create a completely new device with incredible performance.
Latest Network Technologie, compatible with all Ethernet Network Devices.
Ideal for connecting e.g. NAS, Server, Router, Streamer, DAC, HTPC, PC, TV etc.
Improves video and sound reproduction (all video and audio formats, all resolutions)
The network switch is a largely unnoticed device, but its function is essential to the quality of the transmitted media data.
All Media that pass through this audiophile switch, experience a significant improvement in sound and video quality.
AQ-SWITCH-8
Latest network technology, compatible with all network connections.
All mediadata that pass through this audiophile switch experience a significant improvement in sound and image quality.
Application examples for sound enhancement:
• Ideal for connecting e.g. NAS, server, router, streamer, DAC, HTPC, PC, TV etc.
• with DEVOLO and similar ethernet-over-powergrid solutions, a drastic improvement is achieved.
• NAS/Server via AQ-Switch sounds far better as internal Harddisk/SSD or external USB HDD.
• bridging long distance LAN connections up to 100m and still improving the sound quality.
• Finally enjoy the full sonic potential of audiophile streaming services:
www.Qobuz.com or www.tidalhifi.com but also spotify.com etc. will touch you more because the music is "revitalised"
• improving and amplifying the video / audio signal for longer LAN connections. (LAN amplifier / network amplifier)
Improves sound quality and picture quality. (All video and audio formats, all resolutions)
• Even if the distribution function and the 8 connections of the switch are not needed at the moment, the switch has a sound-improving effect by suppressing interference and optimizing the data stream. Again: even if you do not need any SWITCH, improve your sound quality by routing your LAN media sources through our AQ-SWITCH.
• also very expensive special LAN streaming sources, e.g. High-end servers, streamerservers, network hard drives can experience a sound enhancement through our AQ switch.
• an alternative to the investment in several thousand euro audiophile music storage solutions such as HighEnd Server, Streamingserver or NAS.
The network switch is a device that is often overlooked or underestimated, but is essential for the quality of the mediadata to be transmitted.
AQVOX Modification:
"State of the Art" Signal Optimization
- Internal Ultra-Low-Noise voltage regulation
- Jitter Reduction
- ReClocker
- Signal Shaper
- EMI Eleminator
- De-Noiser
- Modified/optimized external power supply**
By using components from the audiophile technology in the power supply, plus innovative noise suppression concepts, AQVOX has achieved a quantum leap in the improvement of signal quality during the transmission of digital media data. The data packets experience a precise re-alignment. Sound and picture deteriorating noise (EMI), induced by sources such as PC, NAS, routers, and as well power cables, are largely eliminated.
Additional modification of the SE version:
We ask for your understanding that we will not give any details here.
The enclosures are holo sealed and all modifications are covered with resin compound.
The sound quality or expected sound enhancement cannot be judged simply by features or special components.
- In the SE version, we have integrated our newly developed phase correction, which has been applied for the first time in the AQVOX USB Detoxer QL 2, which has contributed to more space and improved definition and impulse fidelity.
- The new, optimized oscillator, which we refined with a tuning, is a factor 10 more precise clock generator. More precise focus and definition is the benefit.
- We have optimized the peripheral circuitry of the switch controller chip with additional interference suppression components. A plus of room information.
- The internal power supply circuits are now carefully optimized with additional Ultra-Fast capacitors.
- The lining of the metal housing with butyl rubber and thereby silenced also contributed to the sound improvement. A more black background.
- We have also been able to optimize the power supply even further.
Recommendation regarding LAN Cables:
To prevent that the benefit of the AQ-Switch-8 gets degraded subsequently, the LAN cable from the switch towards the playback gear must be of best sound quality. This is important to preserve the sound enhancement of the switch and route it into the playback device. Hence it is recommended to try out the AQVOX LAN cables. AQ-Switch-8 and AQVOX LAN cables complement each other perfectly. The LAN cable routing from the source towards the switch should also be of good quality.
Note on optimal cable length:
- It is recommended to have a short LAN cable routing towards the playback gear
- The LAN cable from the the source into the switch can be the longer one.
- Other than e.g. with COAX/SPdif cables, there is no no sound drawback with LAN cables shorter than 1 meter.
- For LAN cables over 10m length it cuould be considered to use an AQVOX switch as repeater.
Cascading Daysichaining SWITCHES in series:
As more and more people are asking this question recently.
Yes, other Switch manufacturers are claiming that switches connected to each other in series with short LAN cables are improving the sound quality.
But our tests revealed that this sounds more calm, has "supposed" more contrast, blacker backround etc. , BUT, for the cost of transients, room atmosphere and all those fine micro details for what we are so hard working ,and our audiophiles are striving for.
The sonic essence which is producing/inducing the emotions.
Same effect as putting some LAN isolating devices in series, as more LAN isolators you chain up, as more the sound goes into direction of mp3.
This applies to traditional transformer based isolators and electronic and opto isolating technologies.
It took us a lot of effort and true innovative self developed technology to reduce the negative effects of the LAN isolators in our switches.
AQVOX Switch
OK - we have a strange situation what we are still investigating.
For our switches it makes sense to chain them up. But not for short distances, eg 1m and below it is contra productive, less dynamics a bit matte.
But for longer distanced eg longer than 2m LAN cable between the switches improves the sound quality in deed. Yes.
Features:
- 1000 Mbit/s - 1 Gigabit, up to 2000 Mbit/s - 2 Gigabit in full duplex mode
- Ethernet Protokoll
- IGMP Snooping - L2 feature
- unmanaged / not programmable
- Galvanic isolation with signal transformers.
- Iterference Suppression and Optimization
- Jitter Reduction, ReClocker, Signal Shaper, De-Noiser.
- Shielding Metal Case
- Status LEDs for Speed, Active and Lock
- Power-saving operation
- Modified/optimized original external power supply** worldwide 100-240 V AC input, europlug - UK or US adapter included - DC cable 120cm
- powersupply: DC plug 5.5mmx x2.1mm
- The Phase of the power-supply is marked with the AQVOX logo at one side
- Improves video and sound reproduction (all video and audio formats, all resolutions)
- D-imensions W x D x H: 16.2 x 10.5 x 3.1 cm (2.7 cm without feet)
- Weight of switch without powersupply: ca. 600g
* why Enable IGMP Snooping for Home Use
For a home based network, you should enable it when you frequently use any kind of streaming or mirroring from your devices to stream to Apple TV or Chromecast or magenta or netflix, so mostly video streaming.
PAKAGE CONTAINS
- optimized Network switch 8 ports
- optimized and matched wall plug power supply for worldwide operation 100-240 V AC with EURO plug - 5V DC - DC cable 120cm
- two screws and two dowels for wallmount in wood or stone, in the base of the switch are two holes, where the srew heads can be hooked in.
- EU-to-UK or EU-to-USA plug adapor
- no LAN cables included
Mounting:
- lay flat on the rubberfeed
- Wall mount, at the bottom are two holes for hanging on the wall. Included are two srews and two dowels.
** Please note: The enclosed power supply is optimally matched to the High-End Switch. Other, supposedly better power supplies, including The AQVOX Low-Noise power supply have an deteriorating effect to the sound.
* The cables shown in the pictures are not included
Sound Improvement:
The extended improvements in the "Special Edition" significantly improve the sound enhancement that the AQVOX Switch achieves.
The excellent sonic attributes are the same as with the first AQVOX switch, but more clearly.
By the way, the extended modifications of the SE version have not changed the tonality of the previous version.
The sound becomes generally clearer, more live and gets more space. Improved transient reproduction, more vivid resolution of fine detail.
Due to the increased transparency, e.g. the breath in voices or the fingerplay on the strings are more perceptible. The bass is more contoured and more colorful. In addition, the three-dimensional image of the sound reproduction is improved. The stage appears to be wider and deeper.
All of this leads to an increase in what audiophiles probably strive for the most: the best possible transmission of the atmosphere and the emotions stored in recorded music.
Due to the more defined low-frequency reproduction, a correction of the loudspeaker position may be required!
For best results please use AQVOX Ethernet/LAN Cables.
About AQVOX
POWER SUPPLY
...as we get many requests about this topic.
Would there be any benefits to substituting a ultra low noise linear or battery power supply?
- we optimized the included power-supply to the max. We and customers tried already many other ps linear, smps and battery: changes but no natural improvement. Just take it as a very optimum. It is matched. Linear or battery does not mean automatically better, they do have a different distortion spectrum, impedances, power delivey etc.
** Please note: the supplied power supply is optimized and matched to the AQ switch. Other, also supposedly better power supplies, or up to 1000 Euro expensive UltraLowNoise power supplies work here mostly counterproductive, or bring a change but in our opinion is not necessarily an improvement.
Other low-noise power supplies do sound different, whether a transformer or a switching power supply topology, usually connected with a superficially quieter sound picture, which is however due to accurate analysis, missing micro-information and believable 3D reproduction.
BATTERY
We have also tested accu or battery supplies, direct cell supply without the influence of voltage regulators or even worse DC/DC convertors in the source, also here - missing micro details associated with less agility/dynamics. Resulting in a too laid-back sound. Like sleepy.
--- The supplied power supply provides the best and most natural sound in our opinion.
--- If you look for further sound improvement, consider AQVOX LAN cables. They can bring good sound improvement. Or try our LAN detoxer caps eg. in your router.
Our AQVOX low-noise linear power supply, brings normally significiant sound improvement. But connected to the AQ-SWITCH, it degrades the sound quality.
In our opinion, the best sounding option is with the included and optimized/matched one. The phase is marked.
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS - REVIEWS - TESTS - OPINIONS - AUDITIONS - LISTENING TESTS - EVALUATIONS
Issue 01-2023
Review Switch-SE
image hifi Magazine
Did you know that AQVOX is the inventor of the audio-optimized USB cable that came on the market in 2006? Only two years later, the first audiophile USB cables were launched from competitors.
For over 30 years, we have been working intensively on improving digital music reproduction. In 2005, AQVOX released the world's first full-balanced high-end D/A converter with USB connection. AQVOX has played a major role in making computer audio audiophile: For instance, with the ASIO driver, which is indispensable for audiophile music playback on Windows PCs.
