Dedicated Network for Audio

[bazz]

Hi,

I have the unenviable task of decorating the living room shortly so it's an ideal time to make any changes to cable runs.

This has prompted the thought of adding a dedicated switch and run of Cat 7 specifically for the Audio as follows -




2 switches connected to the Router/Modem.





Switch 1 = Audio (Streamer/iRadio, NAS & Ripper to be added shortly)




Switch 2 = AV/Other (TV, Sky, MacBook, iMac)



To separate Audio & AV appears logical in the same way as having a dedicated mains circuit. However, i'm interested in any views or real world experience re benefits in sound quality.

Is there genuine merit in the idea in terms of sound quality and removing noise or is 2 extra switches adding complexity and noise particularly from the associated switch mode power supplies?

your thoughts and views would be appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

[Gazjam]

Good question Paul.

One thing Ive noticed in my own setup is that removing the switch mode supplies for routers/switches etc CAN make an improvement in sound quality.
Not because it improves the "sound" of the router but it removes a layer of mush that gets thrown back into the mains by the switcher.
Its worth doing and linear supplies aren't really expensive from the likes of CPC and Farnell.

Also, Im not too sure about the idea of two seperate switches has any benefit?
It may have for the reason you speak about, but I've always found less boxes is better and honestly, adding in another box might offset any benefits you may have elsewhere imo.

[ReggieB]

Adding a second switch is going to add latency. That is, a switch needs to read the destination MAC address in the TCP/IP header before it can pass on the network packet. So chaining switches together is not usually a good idea. I'd expect this to have more of a negative impact, than the positive gains from the set up you're describing.

I'd look first to replace the power supply for the existing network switch.

[surayne]

Why would latency be an issue? The data stream would be buffered by any streaming software or device.

Noise from the power supplies is a valid issue, but the ability to put the router / switch elsewhere in the house (and possibly on a different ring main) would be the way to solve this.

Cat 7 is massive overkill if it's a dedicated audio network. Even plain vanilla Cat5e will stream a full HD video stream with a 24-bit lossless 8-channel audio soundtrack.

[Stratmangler]

I agree with Gaz's comments about the SMPS PSUs causing noise to be shoved back onto the mains, but there's absolutely no benefit to running 2 switches.
Your audio and video is sent around the network as packet data, and buffered in the client.
Playback is from the buffer.

Cat7 is a waste of time unless you properly install it - just because you use Cat7 patch leads doesn't make it Cat7 network.
There's a raft of earthing requirements, and I doubt you'll comply with them.
Bog standard Cat5e is more than man enough to fulfill your requirements.

[bazz]

Thanks all for your views and it looks like i was barking up the wrong tree................keeping it simple is always the best way.

I've been looking into alternative power supplies for the SMPS's (Router, Switch & o2 BoostBox) and as an alternative to the expensive ones from Teddy Pardo, Russ Andrews etc, I found this http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/510788/VOLTCRAFT-FSP-1134-55W-Fixed-Voltage-Linear-Power-Supply-Bench-138Vdc-4A/?ref=detview1&rt=detview1&rb=1

I understand the voltage is adjustable down to 12V via an internal pot.

At £29.99 the 4A version has to be worth a try. I will report back.

[ReggieB]

Latency is an issue because a switch behaves like a hub in the way it handles broadcast traffic and the additional latency increases the likelihood of collisions and results in dropped packets. You will always get better performance from one large switch than three small ones. As well as the latency issue, with a single switch each port will be connected over the switch backplane, which will always be far faster than an individual port.

Always avoid daisy chaining switches.