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Seedcake · 30-05-2024, 13:59

(27-05-2024 07:37)simoncn Wrote:
(26-05-2024 20:46)Seedcake Wrote: Thank you Simon, all good food for thought. I understand, all these interventions are to isolate the audio components from the network. When you introduced the Melco switch, because this supports optical connections

This wasn't the main reason for adding the S100, as I already had a Cisco switch with two optical ports. Using either optical or RJ45 connections, the S100 produces better sound than the Cisco switch. An RJ45 connection is needed for my streamer/renderer.

Quote:... you then only need one ethernet/optical converter, rather than two, in that the switch is connected to the converter via a SFP port for the fibre and then the converter connects to the server?

Exactly so and this was another benefit of adding the S100.

Quote:I have now read some very favourable reviews of the ADOT MC01 that suggest having a SFP equipped network switch is the ideal combination. But if this were done would it still be best to replace the QNAP?

I haven't tried this combination. I have a QNAP HS-264 and I will do a comparison in the next few days and post back here. My server is a Melco N1A and my renderer is a Melco N1Z with USB-attached dCS Rossini. I will replace the N1A with the HS-264 leaving everything else the same and compare sound quality.

Initially I was interested as whether replacing my QNAP NAS with a more specialized audio server, from Innuos or Melco would have any tangible benefit to the sound quality from my streamer, without losing the advantages of Minim Server. I still am, but it's now become an interest in any improvements that could be made by upgrading network components too, and whether these might even be more cost effective than replacing the QNAP. The ethernet/optical converter idea probably with a new switch is worth exploring. Thank you Simon for this. One thing I am at a loss to understand is the distinction between using the server as a player as opposed to having a seperate streamer, I see that you use two Melcos.