NuPrime SW-9X Audiophile Network Switch

NuPrime SW-9X Audiophile Network Switch at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA The SW-9X is a high-end 8-port gigabit audiophile network switch from NuPrime Audio (San Jose, California, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Engineered from the ground up for music streaming systems, the SW-9X combines common-mode active noise cancellation, a multi-stage Power Engine linear power supply with AC filter circuit, and a 25MHz TCXO clock with 0.1ppm accuracy to deliver a clean, stable, ultra-low-jitter network signal to every connected audio component. Three fully independent internal power supply rails, gold-plated Ethernet ports with optimized spacing, a 25MHz BNC external clock input, and an internal/external clock selector switch place the SW-9X firmly in the NuPrime 9X Series alongside the Stream 9X and DAC-9X, forming the foundation of a complete high-performance audio network at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY. Active Noise Cancellation and Multi-Stage Power Filtering The SW-9X introduces common-mode active noise cancellation, a power conditioning technology that goes beyond passive filtering. The system continuously monitors the power supply for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) waveforms, then generates a compensation signal of identical amplitude but opposite phase. When the two signals combine, the noise is reduced through destructive interference, leaving a substantially cleaner power environment for the switch circuitry. This is layered on top of the NuPrime Power Engine multi-stage linear supply, which features a high-isolation common mode choke circuit on the AC input to block noise pollution from other networked devices and the wider power grid. The result is a switch that attacks mains-borne noise from two directions simultaneously: at the point of entry via the choke circuit, and dynamically via active cancellation. Three independent internal rails at 12V, 3.3V, and 1.1V each use high-speed buck converters for efficient voltage conversion, fast transient response, and low output noise, while a dedicated multi-stage filtered supply powers the TCXO module separately from the switch system to prevent cross-contamination between circuits. 25MHz TCXO Clock and External Reference Input At the timing core of the SW-9X is a 25MHz Temperature-Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) with a main clock accuracy of 0.1ppm at 25°C. Standard network switches rely on low-cost crystal oscillators that introduce phase noise and timing instability into the data stream; the SW-9X's TCXO eliminates extraneous frequencies and generates a pure, stable clock reference with ultra-low phase-noise output. The noise isolation performance is measurable: the power circuit achieves 17.78 dB of noise rejection at 100MHz across two stages, while the clock generation circuit delivers 20.79 dB of rejection at 100MHz across two stages. For audiophiles seeking the highest possible timing precision, a gold-plated BNC external clock input accepts a 25MHz reference signal from a separate outboard clock source, switchable via the front-panel internal/external clock selector. All eight RJ45 Ethernet ports are gold-plated with carefully optimized port spacing designed to minimize cross-port signal interference and preserve clean, stable network performance at the physical connection level. Key Features Common-Mode Active Noise Cancellation: Continuously detects EMI and RFI waveforms on the power supply and generates an equal-but-opposite compensation signal to eliminate noise through destructive interference, creating a cleaner electrical environment for sensitive audio components. Multi-Stage Power Filtering: NuPrime Power Engine ultra-low-noise linear supply with a high-isolation common mode choke circuit on the AC input blocks noise pollution from other networked devices and the mains power system before it reaches the switch circuitry. Three Independent Internal Power Rails: Separate 12V, 3.3V, and 1.1V supply rails each use high-speed buck converters for efficient voltage conversion, fast transient response, and low output noise, preventing inter-rail interference. 25MHz TCXO Clock at 0.1ppm Accuracy: Temperature-Compensated Crystal Oscillator provides a high-precision, ultra-low-phase-noise clock reference for the entire Ethernet switch system, reducing jitter in network data transmission compared to standard switch oscillators. Dedicated TCXO Power Supply: A separate multi-stage filtered power circuit for the TCXO module reduces noise across multiple frequency bands including 10MHz, 100MHz, and 1GHz, ensuring the clock module receives purified power independent of the main switch supply. External 25MHz Clock Input: A gold-plated BNC interface accepts a 25MHz external Word Clock reference from an outboard precision clock source, with an internal/external clock selector switch for easy configuration. Eight Gold-Plated Gigabit Ethernet Ports: All RJ45 ports are gold-plated with optimized port spacing engineered to reduce cross-port signal interference and maintain clean, stable network performance at the physical connection level. LAN Port LED Indicator Switch: A dedicated switch controls the on/off status of all eight port LEDs, allowing users to eliminate LED-generated noise sources in light-sensitive or electrically sensitive listening environments. Aluminum Chassis: Full aluminum enclosure provides effective shielding against external electromagnetic interference and contributes to the rigid, resonance-resistant construction expected of a NuPrime 9X Series component. Technical Specifications Ethernet Ports 8 x gold-plated 100/1000 Base-T RJ45 (gigabit) Clock 25MHz TCXO, 0.1ppm accuracy at 25°C External Clock Input BNC interface, 25MHz external Word Clock (gold-plated) Clock Selector Internal / External switch Noise Isolation - Power Circuit 17.78 dB at 100MHz x2 Noise Isolation - Clock Gen. Circuit 20.79 dB at 100MHz x2 Internal Power Rails 3 independent rails: 12V, 3.3V, 1.1V (high-speed buck converters) Power Supply NuPrime Power Engine ultra-low-noise, multi-stage AC filter, common-mode active noise cancellation AC Power Input IEC, 100-240V, 50/60Hz LED Indicators 1 x Power LED (blue); 8 x Port Status LEDs (green 1000Mbps / amber 100Mbps); LED on/off switch Chassis Aluminum 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) Dimensions (H x W x D) 55 x 235 x 281 mm Weight 2 kg Connections at a Glance 8 x gold-plated Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports (100/1000 Base-T) BNC external clock input (25MHz Word Clock, gold-plated) Internal / External clock selector switch LAN port LED indicator on/off switch IEC AC power input (100-240V, 50/60Hz) Frequently Asked Questions What is the NuPrime SW-9X? The NuPrime SW-9X is a high-end 8-port gigabit audiophile network switch from NuPrime Audio, designed to minimize electrical noise and jitter in the network path between a router and connected streaming components. It features common-mode active noise cancellation, a multi-stage Power Engine linear power supply with AC filter, three independent internal power rails, a 25MHz TCXO clock at 0.1ppm accuracy, a gold-plated BNC external clock input, and eight gold-plated Ethernet ports with optimized spacing. It is part of the NuPrime 9X Series and shares the same compact form factor as the Stream 9X streamer. How does the NuPrime SW-9X compare to the English Electric 8Switch or UpTone EtherREGEN? The NuPrime SW-9X differentiates itself from the English Electric 8Switch and UpTone Audio EtherREGEN with its common-mode active noise cancellation circuit, which dynamically generates a counterphase signal to cancel mains-borne interference rather than relying solely on passive filtering. The SW-9X also offers a 25MHz BNC external clock input with an internal/external selector switch, a feature not present on the 8Switch and not offered in the same format on the EtherREGEN. All three units prioritize low-noise power supplies and precision clocking, but the SW-9X's three independent internal power rails and measurable noise isolation figures (17.78 dB at 100MHz for the power circuit; 20.79 dB at 100MHz for the clock circuit) reflect a more deeply engineered power architecture for its class. What is common-mode active noise cancellation and why does it matter for audio? Common-mode active noise cancellation is a power conditioning technology that continuously monitors the power supply for EMI and RFI waveforms, then generates a compensation signal with the same amplitude but opposite phase. When the original noise and the compensation signal combine, they cancel through destructive interference, significantly reducing the noise that reaches the switch circuitry. In an audio context, this matters because electrical noise from the network infrastructure can propagate into connected streaming components, contributing to elevated noise floors and timing instability. The SW-9X applies this technique alongside passive AC filtering, addressing noise from two directions simultaneously. What does the 25MHz TCXO clock do in the SW-9X? The 25MHz TCXO (Temperature-Compensated Crystal Oscillator) in the NuPrime SW-9X serves as the precision timing reference for the entire Ethernet switch system. Standard network switches use basic crystal oscillators that are vulnerable to temperature-induced frequency drift and phase noise. The SW-9X's TCXO maintains 0.1ppm accuracy at 25°C and delivers an ultra-low-phase-noise clock signal, minimizing jitter in the network data stream. A dedicated multi-stage filtered power supply for the TCXO module further isolates it from the main switch circuitry, preventing noise from one circuit from degrading the other. Can I use an external clock with the NuPrime SW-9X? Yes, the NuPrime SW-9X includes a gold-plated BNC external clock input that accepts a 25MHz Word Clock reference from a separate precision clock source. A front-panel internal/external clock selector switch allows easy switching between the onboard TCXO and the external reference. This feature is intended for audiophiles who already have or plan to invest in a dedicated outboard clock, allowing the SW-9X to serve as a synchronized element within a precision-clocked audio network. How should I set up the NuPrime SW-9X in my system? NuPrime recommends connecting the SW-9X directly to the router, then connecting all network audio components including streamers, music servers, and NAS drives to the SW-9X's eight gigabit ports. This places the SW-9X between the general home network and the audio subnet, so all network data passing to audio components benefits from the switch's noise reduction and precision clocking. The LAN port LED indicator switch can be turned off to eliminate any minor electrical contribution from the port status LEDs in sensitive listening environments. Where can I buy the NuPrime SW-9X in Buffalo, NY or the USA? The NuPrime SW-9X is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized NuPrime dealer located in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound carries the full NuPrime 9X Series lineup and can assist with system integration advice, pairing recommendations with the Stream 9X and SW Ultimate, and setup guidance. Customers across the USA can contact Vinyl Sound Buffalo directly for purchasing and availability information.