Lately, as some of you know, I have been skulking around the blind alleys of digital audio. More specifically, I have been rabbit holing the many ways and means to improve my music streaming experience. A month ago, I added the Wattson Emerson Digital network which proved to be a massive improvement. Subsequently, I added a Sbooster linear power supply resulting in further sonic inroads. Inevitably, the network switch would be next.

For context, I currently use a solid switch. It’s a Luxul AGS-1008M 8-port switch fed by an ifi SilentPower power supply. Based on the level on my previous setup, this $250.00 investment seemed sensible. What did make me question my sanity was the introduction of the $849.00 Silent Angel Bonn N8 network switch.

This audio grade switch elevated my streaming even further. Eschewing the bog-standard wall wart in favour of medical grade regulation and employing a precision clock module to reduce jitter and latency issues, the N8 floored me. Trust me, you can believe their website hype:

“The Bonn N8 enables an isolated “Network Ecosystem” to create an independent low-noise, low-interference HiFi audio zone that effectively separates your audio devices from household traffic and reduces the degradation of network broadcasting storms and latency caused by bandwidth-intensive activities from PCs and other devices. The result is greater signal purity with lower noise, distortion and greater resolution of fine detail.”

The best analogy I have is when I had a dedicated power line installed for my system. Having my audio system mostly isolated (still on main panel) and no longer undermined by appliances, dimmers and the like, was revelatory. I am in no way suggesting the addition of the Bonn N8 was in this league, but by showing the middle finger to deleterious network noise, the level of enjoyment from my streamed music has never been higher.

With my credibility potentially in tatters, I’ll tell you all about the companion Forester F1 linear power supply next time we convene.