Audio switches. A con?

[Symples]

Hello gang,

I came across This product on ebay and my first thought is, "What a con."


Now why would I think that?


I work in commications (currently Openreach) and have done so for the past 43 years.
For about 20 of those years. I worked on leased lines. Point to point data transmission.
I also fiddle about with computers and know a little about computers and data transmission.

What I know:
Data transmitted from point 'A' to point 'B' has to be 100% otherwise we have errors. Corrupted data.
Now there are error correcting protocols. HDB3 which is used on 2Meg links. This basically asks for data to be retransmitted if there are errors. With audio, the protocols tend to guess what comes next.

Point 'A' transmits 1234567890 and point 'B' expects 1234567890
Any other numbers and it's corruption.

Dealing with data/programs.. it's either correct or corrupted.
Send the data again or flag as an error.

What makes an audio switch better than a normal one?
If a normal switch is erroring. The data transmission is going to be slow, but it will get there.
An erroring switch is no good.
Can you imagine all the corrupt data?
Programs failing..

So if a normal switch performs normally. No errors or very few.
What makes an audio switch better at transmitting data?

I get the idea of analogue cables.
Capacitance, inductance and resistance having an effected.

But in digital.
The data is correct or there is an error and if there is an error. Send again.
Are cheap digital cables erroring, but expensive cables are not?
I don't thinks so.

So...
Question.
How are these audio switches and expensive digital cables doing the job better?

Phew...

 

[Al ears]

Depends who you talk to and who is mad enough to part with their money.
So why ask??

 

[Al ears]

Hello gang,

I came across This product on ebay and my first thought is, "What a con."


Now why would I think that?


I work in commications (currently Openreach) and have done so for the past 43 years.
For about 20 of those years. I worked on leased lines. Point to point data transmission.
I also fiddle about with computers and know a little about computers and data transmission.

What I know:
Data transmitted from point 'A' to point 'B' has to be 100% otherwise we have errors. Corrupted data.
Now there are error correcting protocols. HDB3 which is used on 2Meg links. This basically asks for data to be retransmitted if there are errors. With audio, the protocols tend to guess what comes next.

Point 'A' transmits 1234567890 and point 'B' expects 1234567890
Any other numbers and it's corruption.

Dealing with data/programs.. it's either correct or corrupted.
Send the data again or flag as an error.

What makes an audio switch better than a normal one?
If a normal switch is erroring. The data transmission is going to be slow, but it will get there.
An erroring switch is no good.
Can you imagine all the corrupt data?
Programs failing..

So if a normal switch performs normally. No errors or very few.
What makes an audio switch better at transmitting data?

I get the idea of analogue cables.
Capacitance, inductance and resistance having an effected.

But in digital.
The data is correct or there is an error and if there is an error. Send again.
Are cheap digital cables erroring, but expensive cables are not?
I don't thinks so.

So...
Question.
How are these audio switches and expensive digital cables doing the job better?

Phew...

Link removed in case you can reference more than one company ....
There are plenty that offer 'audiophile ' switches just as they do cables and grounding boxes and everything else....
By all means discuss these products in general otherwise it looks like spam, or indeed anti spam.

 

[nads]

Hello gang,

mmm I wonder how many have looking inside one of the network boxes at the side of the road.

 

[abacus]

If you want to see what is inside

 

[Al ears]

If you want to see what is inside

Again this is just one person's opinion of something that shouldn't affect sound quality, but could.
I presume anything that is within an audio circuit could produce noise..... and I am not talking about speakers.
You believe what you want to believe, or go and audition yourself.....

 

[Symples]

Depends who you talk to and who is mad enough to part with their money.
So why ask??

To generate discussion and see other points of view.
I voiced mine and simply wondered how others felt.

My 8 port switch cost me around £15.
It makes one wonder what a £299 switch has to offer?

 

[Al ears]

To generate discussion and see other points of view.
I voiced mine and simply wondered how others felt.

My 8 port switch cost me around £15.
It makes one wonder what a £299 switch has to offer?

that's cheap....

 

[Symples]

that's cheap....

I lied... probably £30
Good ole Netgear Prosafe 8 port gigabit

My GS308 was around £15

 

[Gray]

What makes an audio switch better at transmitting data?

Nothing.
But give it the 'audiophile' label and some will be interested.
Throw in a few plausible sounding benefits and you've snared as many gullibles as you need.

Materially, compared to the £4,200 fuse, it's a bargain though.
(They both provide **** all benefit, but one is 5 times the price).

 

[Al ears]

Nothing.
But give it the 'audiophile' label and some will be interested.
Throw in a few plausible sounding benefits and you've snared as many gullibles as you need.

Materially, compared to the £4,200 fuse, it's a bargain though.
(They both provide **** all benefit, but one is 5 times the price).

You can pay £3500 for a switch......

 

[Gray]

You can pay £3500 for a switch......

Oh can I?.......never paid that much for anything.....at all.

 

[Al ears]

Oh can I?.......never paid that much for anything.....at all.

Just saying one could if one wanted...

 

[Gray]

Just saying one could if one wanted...

Hope you enjoy your one 👍

 

[Al ears]

Hope you enjoy your one 👍

I'll pass, way too digital for me.

 

[Friesiansam]

There are some seriously big profit margins, in the snake oil business!

 

[Al ears]

There are some seriously big profit margins, in the snake oil business!

there's no cure for gullibility....

 

[RJW232]

In the old days, all kind of tweaks and mods actually could work. Better feed to support a turntable, even better power supplies in CD players had an audible benefit. But in a completely digital world these aren't needed anymore. Power supplies can be very small since there's no need for high currents in source components, there are no mechanical parts which needs damping etc. In a way a lot of the hobby aspect has been removed. And suppliers of "audiophile" <fill in whatever you like> will fill that gap.