Nuprime SW-9X

NuPrime SW-9X, audiophile gigabit Ethernet switch

Streaming has brought the home network into the hi-fi chain, along with its electrical noise. Between the router and the network player, each link carries noise as well as data. The SW-9X takes this position with an eight-port Ethernet switch that addresses what most network devices overlook: clock precision and power supply cleanliness. It succeeds the Omnia SW-8 at NuPrime.

Why use a switch in an audio system

On a network, data arrives intact: Ethernet detects errors and requests faulty packets again. The issue lies elsewhere. A low-cost switch generates electrical noise and allows interference to travel upstream to the network player, where it mixes with the signal just before digital-to-analog conversion. High internal noise also distorts packet edges, which lose their sharp transitions, increase retransmissions and burden the network with repeated transmissions.

The SW-9X addresses both aspects: reducing the noise it emits and stabilizing transmission. The improvement remains a matter of refinement rather than transformation, and is mainly noticeable on a resolving system already carefully set up with cables and power supplies. It is an optimization component, not a miracle fix.

A TCXO clock and external input

Every switch times its exchanges using a clock. The SW-9X uses a temperature-compensated 25 MHz TCXO oscillator, accurate to 0.1 ppm at 25 °C, with low phase noise. This stability limits jitter introduced at the network level. The clock has its own multi-stage filtered power supply, tuned to different bands (10 MHz, 100 MHz, 1 GHz) to provide it with clean voltage.

A gold-plated BNC input accepts an external 25 MHz clock, selectable from the front panel instead of the internal oscillator. The value requires clarification: 25 MHz corresponds to the switch’s Ethernet timing domain, not the 10 MHz of a studio master clock. The option is therefore intended for installations already equipped with a compatible 25 MHz reference, which is a rare case. In the clock section, two isolation circuits provide 20.79 dB of noise rejection at 100 MHz.

Power supply against mains noise

This is where NuPrime concentrates most of its work. The SW-9X incorporates an in-house ultra-low-noise power supply module, with wide-range AC/DC conversion and low ripple, protected by its safety circuits and topped with an aluminum heatsink. At the input, a high-isolation common-mode choke mains filter blocks pollution coming from other devices connected to the same line.

An active cancellation circuit is also included: it detects common-mode noise and generates an out-of-phase signal to cancel it. The energy is then distributed across three independent rails (12 V, 3.3 V and 1.1 V) via fast Buck converters with very low output noise, capable of following load variations. Two isolation circuits provide 17.78 dB of noise rejection at 100 MHz in this power supply section. The input is a standard IEC socket, rated from 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz.

Eight gigabit ports and gold-plated RJ45 connectors

At the rear, eight 100/1000 Base-T ports with gold-plated RJ45 connectors accommodate the router on one side, and the network player, server or NAS on the other. Their spacing is designed to limit interference from one port to another and preserve signal integrity. Nothing proprietary here: the SW-9X remains a standard gigabit switch, compatible with any network equipment.

Status LEDs indicate the link and activity of each port, green for a gigabit link and amber at 100 Mbps, along with a blue power LED. A switch turns off port lighting, useful in a cabinet kept dark near source components.

Aluminum chassis and passive cooling

The enclosure is made of aluminum and has no fan: heat dissipation is handled by the heatsink covering the power supply module, resulting in silent operation that makes sense alongside listening electronics. The format is compact, 55 × 235 × 281 mm and 2 kg, suitable for placement on a hi-fi shelf or near the rest of the system.

The SW-9X fits into NuPrime’s 9X series, alongside the Stream 9X network player, DAC-9X converter and PRA-9X preamplifier. Above it, the SW Ultimate adds more ports, SFP fiber links and a 10 MHz clock, for the most extensive network installations.

Technical Specifications

Overview

• 8-port audiophile Gigabit Ethernet switch, designed for high-end audio systems
• Architecture optimized for stable, low-noise network transmission
• Isolation and noise reduction ensured by an internal architecture that limits electrical interference affecting network signals

Connectivity

• 8 gold-plated RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet 100 / 1000 Base-T ports
  • Optimized spacing to limit interference between ports and preserve signal integrity
• 1 gold-plated 25 MHz BNC Word Clock input for external clock
• 1 internal / external clock selector (internal TCXO or external clock)
• 1 switch for LAN port LEDs

Clock

• High-precision, temperature-compensated 25 MHz TCXO oscillator
• Excellent frequency stability and low phase noise
• Main clock accuracy: 0.1 ppm at 25 °C
• Dedicated power supply for the TCXO clock with multi-stage filtering designed to reduce interference across different frequency bands
• 25 MHz external clock input via gold-plated BNC connector

Power Supply

• Exclusive NuPrime ultra-low-noise power supply module
  • Wide dynamic range AC / DC conversion
  • Low ripple
  • Integrated protection circuits
• Integrated AC mains filtering via high-isolation common-mode choke circuit
• Active common-mode noise cancellation: electrical noise detection and generation of a compensating signal in phase opposition
• Multi-stage power filtering to reduce noise across multiple frequency bands
• Three independent power rails: 12 V, 3.3 V and 1.1 V
• High-speed Buck converters
  • Efficient conversion
  • Fast response to load variations
  • Very low output noise
• Ultra-low-noise switch power supply circuit, optimized regulation compatible with a wide input voltage range
• Mains input: IEC
• Voltage: 100–240 V AC
• Frequency: 50 / 60 Hz

Performance and Isolation

• Main clock accuracy: 0.1 ppm at 25 °C
• Power supply circuit isolation: 17.78 dB at 100 MHz ×2
• Clock generation circuit isolation: 20.79 dB at 100 MHz ×2

LED Indicators

• 1 blue power LED
• 8 port status LEDs
  • On: connection established
  • Flashing: network activity
  • Green: 1000 Mbps
  • Amber: 100 Mbps
  • Blue: above 100 Mbps

Construction and Heat Dissipation

• Aluminum chassis
• Robust design suitable for integration into a high-end audio system
• Optimized heat dissipation: power supply module covered with an aluminum heatsink

Dimensions and Weight

• Product dimensions: 55 × 235 × 281 mm (H × W × D)
• Product weight: 2 kg
• Package dimensions: 80 × 390 × 360 mm (H × W × D)
• Packaged weight: 3.8 kg

Operating Conditions

• Operating temperature: 0 to 30 °C
• Storage temperature: -20 to 70 °C
• Operating humidity: 10 to 90% RH, non-condensing
• Storage humidity: 5 to 95% RH, non-condensing