2026 Awards – Network Switch

As Ethernet devices send data in packetised form, the chances of data being corrupted in transmission are effectively zero. However, a lot of noise is inherent to the transmission process and can undermine sensitive audio equipment reading that data. The best audiophile switches, such as Nordost’s QNET 7, specifically address ‘audio intrusive’ electromagnetic interference and noise in the radio frequency bands.

While audiophile switches commonly use 100Mbps (100BASE-TX) ports, only one of this new QNET switch’s seven nicely spaced-out ports does. Five are faster Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) ports – Nordost found them quieter when used with NAS devices and routers – while another is compatible with both 1000 BASE-T and fibre-optic SFP transceiver modules. Like the original QNET (which remains in the Nordost lineup, sitting below this new model), the QNET 7 is a layer 2 switch, meaning it doesn’t just repeat physical signals (as layer 1 switches do) to connected devices, but instead intelligently forwards data to the appropriate address on a local network. It too uses Nordost’s QSOURCE linear power supply, but this time it sports a more conventional shape, facilitating optional placement on four isolation Nordost Sort Kones.

QNET, elevated

The original QNET lets the music be smooth-sounding within an expansive, depthy soundstage, and helps bring out a system’s detail and dynamic range. The QNET 7 does this and more. “It gets you further into the music and pushes that interference further into the shadows,” reads Alan Sircom’s review. “Detail is brought into even sharper focus and clarity” and “music hangs together better”. The QNET 7 is so good, it might well be the gateway to a whole host of Nordost products.

Reviewed in Issue 250

Nordost • nordost.com

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The Bonn N8C does exactly what a decent network switch should: suppress noise and allow the system to deliver plenty of detail smoothly and coherently. Part of the brand’s Compact series, which sits between the entry-level Mini and top-tier Xtreme ranges, the compact yet beautifully shaped eight-port gigabit switch sports a 12V DC power inlet, for which a chunky 7 amp switched-mode power supply is provided, and a BNC for connecting a 25MHz word clock, such as the company’s Genesis GC. Silent Angel says that 25MHz clocks have proven to provide better sound quality than the 10MHz ones found in most word clocks. A simple switch selects either the onboard TCXO clock or the outboard feed.

Placed in a system between the English Electric 8Switch (which acts as a first line of defence against noise on the network, including the computer and Wi-Fi device in the room), a Lumin U2 Mini streamer with a Network Acoustics Origin power supply, and a Melco N10 server, the Bonn N8C works immediately during testing, without requiring any rebooting of connected devices.

Worth the outlay

“The outcome was a strong performance in the low frequencies, which have power and weight that are truly inspiring,” says Jason Kennedy in his review. “The overall transparency across the system is commendable, especially considering the reasonable pricing… timing is also good.” Jason compares the English Electric with a Chord Company GroundARAY noise reduction device onboard (combined price: £1,014) to the N8C, connecting the entire noisy network to both units, and finds that the Silent Angel’s extra £335 asking price is strongly justified.

Reviewed in Issue 248

Silent Angel • silentangel.com

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