Nordost's New QNet Ethernet Switch

We have been writing quite a lot recently about one of the hottest audiophile topics, the audiophile grade Ethernet switch. We first came to appreciate the sonic importance of the ethernet switch to audio performance when we received the English Electric 8Switch ($675) about 18 months ago. It proved the concept of a switch specifically designed for audio applications vs. computer applications. Whether you stream music from a local server, a NAS drive, or from the internet, a premium network switch will improve dynamic range, frequency extension, and detail retrieval in your system. 

A number of audiophile companies have been developing their own approaches to the ethernet switch. Latest to the party is Nordost with their innovative QNet Network Switch ($3200), which we expect will begin shipping this month. We are excited to try this one out!

Built from the ground up, this 5 port design incorporates a multi-layered, impedance-controlled layout to optimize signal routing for speed and minimal crosstalk. Using a low- noise, high precision oscillator for the main clock, jitter is minimized. Each physically separated port on the QNET is optimized for its application: three of the five ports are auto-negotiated 1000BASE-T capable to be used for the router and other generic network devices. The remaining two ports are fixed at 100BASE-TX (100 Mbps), a speed at which internal noise reduction is possible, making these ports best used for primary audio servers/players or external media sources.

We will be making this new switch available for in-home audition through The Cable Company Library just as soon as they become available.