NuPrime SW Ultimate Audiophile Network Switch

NuPrime SW Ultimate Audiophile Network Switch at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA The SW Ultimate is a reference-class audiophile network switch from NuPrime Audio (San Jose, California, USA), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Engineered specifically for high-performance HiFi Ecosystems, the SW Ultimate is a Layer 3, 12-port gigabit network switch with 4 shared fiber optic SFP ports, built to deliver ultra-clean, ultra-precise data transmission to streaming components across a dedicated audio subnet. At its core is NuPrime's ultra-low-noise Power Engine linear power supply with an AC power filter circuit and a 10MHz TCXO clock with ultra-low phase-noise output, eliminating jitter and electromagnetic interference at the network level. With a dedicated grounding terminal, an external clock input port, and an internal/external clock selector switch, the SW Ultimate from NuPrime Audio represents the pinnacle of network infrastructure for serious audio systems, available now at Vinyl Sound's Buffalo, NY location. Layer 3 Architecture and Fiber Optic SFP Ports Unlike standard audiophile network switches that operate only at Layer 2, the NuPrime SW Ultimate is a full Layer 3 managed switch, capable of routing traffic between different IP subnets. This allows audiophiles to isolate their streaming components within a dedicated audio subnet, separating sensitive digital audio traffic from the noise and congestion of a general home network. Four shared SFP fiber optic ports support 1000BASE-X connections, enabling fiber runs that reach far beyond what copper cables allow without signal degradation, and effectively eliminating electromagnetic interference (EMI) on those cable paths. Ports 9 through 12 are shared between copper RJ45 and SFP, with only one type active at a time, and Port 9 carries higher priority for cascading two SW Ultimate units. The remaining eight copper gigabit ports (1GbE RJ45) handle standard network connections, with Port 8 designated for higher-priority switch-to-switch linking. Ultra-Low-Noise Power Engine and TCXO Clock The SW Ultimate's Power Engine is a purpose-designed linear power supply featuring a high-isolation common mode choke circuit on the AC power input. This circuit actively blocks noise pollution from other devices and the wider power system before it can enter the switch's circuitry. Complementing the Power Engine is a 10MHz TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator) clock module that generates a pure, high-precision clock signal with ultra-low phase-noise output, eliminating irrelevant frequencies that contribute to jitter in the network data stream. An external BNC clock input port allows the SW Ultimate to accept a 10MHz square wave reference from a separate precision clock source, with an internal/external clock selector switch for easy configuration. A rear-panel grounding terminal accepts a connection to a dedicated ground box, and an internal grounding adapter further reduces residual ground noise, ensuring the cleanest possible electrical environment for audio-grade network data. Key Features Layer 3 Gigabit Switch with 12 Ports: Operates at Layer 3 to route traffic between IP subnets, allowing audio components to be isolated in a dedicated HiFi subnet separate from the rest of the home network. 4 Shared Fiber Optic SFP Ports: Supports 1000BASE-X SFP fiber optic connections for long cable runs with zero EMI, ideal for connecting the SW Ultimate to a remote router or NAS over fiber. NuPrime Power Engine Linear Power Supply: Ultra-low-noise linear power supply with an AC power filter circuit and high-isolation common mode choke to block noise from the AC mains before it reaches the switch circuitry. 10MHz TCXO Clock: High-precision, ultra-low phase-noise TCXO clock module generates a pure clock reference for the Ethernet switch system, minimizing jitter in network data transmission. External 10MHz Clock Input: A BNC interface accepts a 10MHz square wave signal from an external precision clock source, with a front-panel internal/external clock selector switch for easy switching between the onboard TCXO and an outboard reference. Dedicated Grounding Terminal: A rear-panel ground connection point accepts a cable to a dedicated ground box, and an internal grounding adapter reduces residual ground noise within the chassis. NuPrime-Optimized Layer 2 and Layer 3 Management: Industrial-grade Ethernet management firmware has been optimized by NuPrime specifically for network audio performance, prioritizing stable, low-latency audio data delivery. Dual Power Input Options: Accepts both AC power (IEC, 100-240V, 50/60Hz) and DC power (12V/1A max), providing flexibility for integration with external linear DC power supplies for further noise reduction. Priority Port Architecture: Port 8 (copper) and Port 9 (SFP) carry higher priority for switch-to-switch cascading, enabling scalable multi-switch HiFi network configurations. Available in Black or Silver: Two finish options allow the SW Ultimate to match other NuPrime components or the aesthetics of an existing rack system. Technical Specifications Switch Type Layer 3 Managed Gigabit Network Switch Copper Ethernet Ports 12 x 1GbE RJ45 (Ports 9-12 shared with SFP) SFP Fiber Optic Ports 4 x 1000BASE-X SFP (shared with Ports 9-12) Priority Ports Port 8 (copper), Port 9 (SFP) for switch-to-switch cascading Clock 10MHz TCXO, ultra-low phase-noise External Clock Input BNC interface, 10MHz square wave Clock Selector Internal / External switch Power Supply NuPrime Power Engine ultra-low-noise linear power supply with AC filter circuit AC Power Input IEC, 100-240V, 50/60Hz DC Power Input 12V / 1A max Power Consumption 10W maximum Grounding Dedicated rear-panel grounding terminal; internal grounding adapter LED Indicators Power LED x 1 (front, green); Port Status LED x 8 (rear, green 1000Mbps / amber 100Mbps) Reset Button Less than 5 sec: system reboot; more than 5 sec: factory reset Color Options Black or Silver Dimensions (H x W x D) 61.5 x 430 x 369 mm Weight 5.2 kg Warranty 3 Years Connections at a Glance 12 x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports (1GbE; Ports 9-12 shared with SFP) 4 x 1000BASE-X SFP fiber optic ports (shared with Ports 9-12) BNC external clock input (10MHz square wave) Internal / External clock selector switch Dedicated grounding terminal (rear panel) IEC AC power input (100-240V, 50/60Hz) DC power input (12V / 1A max) Frequently Asked Questions What is the NuPrime SW Ultimate? The NuPrime SW Ultimate is a reference-class audiophile network switch from NuPrime Audio, designed to form the backbone of a dedicated HiFi Ecosystem. It is a Layer 3, 12-port gigabit switch with 4 shared fiber optic SFP ports, a 10MHz TCXO clock, a NuPrime Power Engine ultra-low-noise linear power supply, a dedicated grounding terminal, and an external clock input. It is built to minimize electrical noise, jitter, and EMI in the network path between a router, NAS, music server, and streaming components. How does the NuPrime SW Ultimate compare to the EtherREGEN or English Electric 8Switch? The NuPrime SW Ultimate operates at a different scale and capability level than switches such as the UpTone Audio EtherREGEN or the English Electric 8Switch. The SW Ultimate is a full Layer 3 managed switch with 12 copper gigabit ports and 4 SFP fiber optic ports, enabling subnet isolation for audio components and fiber connectivity over long distances, capabilities that single-segment Layer 2 switches like the EtherREGEN and 8Switch do not offer. All three units share a commitment to low-noise power supplies and precision clocking, but the SW Ultimate adds an external 10MHz BNC clock input, an internal/external clock selector, a dedicated grounding terminal, and dual AC/DC power inputs, providing significantly more configurability for complex, high-performance audio networks. What does the Layer 3 capability of the SW Ultimate mean for audio? Layer 3 capability means the SW Ultimate can route data between different IP subnets, not just forward packets within a single network segment like a standard Layer 2 switch. In a HiFi context, this allows audio components such as streamers, DACs, music servers, and NAS drives to be placed on a dedicated audio subnet, completely isolated from the general home network traffic generated by phones, laptops, and smart home devices. Separating audio traffic in this way reduces network congestion and the associated packet re-transmissions that can degrade streaming stability. What is the TCXO clock in the SW Ultimate and why does it matter? The TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator) in the NuPrime SW Ultimate is a 10MHz precision clock module that serves as the timing reference for the Ethernet switch system. Standard network switches use lower-quality clocks that introduce phase noise and jitter into the data stream. The SW Ultimate's TCXO eliminates irrelevant frequencies and generates a pure, stable clock signal, which results in cleaner, more consistent network data delivery to connected audio components. An external BNC input also allows a separate outboard 10MHz clock reference to replace the internal TCXO for even higher precision. Can the NuPrime SW Ultimate be connected to an external DC power supply? Yes, the NuPrime SW Ultimate accepts both AC power via an IEC inlet (100-240V, 50/60Hz) and DC power via a 12V/1A max input. The DC input allows audiophiles to connect an external high-quality linear DC power supply in place of or alongside the built-in Power Engine, providing an additional avenue for further noise reduction beyond what the onboard supply already achieves. Can two NuPrime SW Ultimate units be cascaded together? Yes, two SW Ultimate units can be connected to each other to expand port count or extend the audio network. Port 8 on the copper RJ45 side and Port 9 on the SFP fiber optic side are designated as higher-priority ports for switch-to-switch linking, ensuring that inter-switch traffic is handled with priority and stability. The router can be connected to any available port on either unit. Where can I buy the NuPrime SW Ultimate in Buffalo, NY or the USA? The NuPrime SW Ultimate is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized NuPrime dealer located in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound carries the NuPrime Evolution Series lineup and can assist with network configuration advice, system integration, and pairing recommendations with NuPrime streaming components. Customers across the USA can contact Vinyl Sound Buffalo directly for purchasing and availability information.