{"id":41501,"date":"2025-07-20T13:51:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T11:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=41501"},"modified":"2025-07-23T11:31:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T09:31:56","slug":"xact-n1-network-switch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/accessories-reviews\/tuning-tweaks-reviews\/xact-n1-network-switch\/","title":{"rendered":"XACT N1 Network Switch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample provided by XACT<\/a>
\nRetail price in the Netherlands:
\nXACT N1 Network Switch: 6.000 euro<\/h4>\n

Created by Marcin Ostapowicz, the founder of JCAT and JPLAY brands, the XACT N1 is a dedicated network switch designed exclusively for high-end audio playback.<\/p>\n

During the development of the Music Servers, XACT S1<\/a> & S1 EVO, Marcin and his team intentionally refrained from using any external network switch to ensure the performance stood independently at the highest level. However, the influence of network configuration on sound quality is undeniable, and for those seeking to push the boundaries of digital playback, every element counts.<\/p>\n

For these discerning listeners, there is the XACT N1 \u2013 a dedicated network switch designed exclusively for audio applications, and aimed to represent a new benchmark in network performance.<\/p>\n

Alas, the XACT S1 server has been returned to the manufacturer, but the N1 Switch is compatible with any server or streamer. I will test it using the Antipodes Oladra<\/a> and Grimm MU1<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Technical<\/h3>\n

As XACT mentions, most \u201caudiophile-grade\u201d network switches available today are based on standard, off-the-shelf motherboards intended for office or general IT use. In my experience, this is indeed correct. Typically, these designs feature cost-optimized switching power converters that can pollute the network with high-frequency noise, potentially interfering with other high-fidelity components and degrading the sound. These issues can be partly mitigated by upgrading the power supply sections, a route often taken by switch manufacturers. However, as XACT indicates, this approach only treats the symptoms without considering that the motherboard itself was never designed for high-end audio performance. That\u2019s why the XACT N1 is built around a 100% custom-designed motherboard, developed exclusively for one purpose: to deliver the purest, most natural sound over Ethernet for high-end audio systems.<\/p>\n

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The custom motherboard inside the XACT N1 is built with ultra-low-noise LDO linear regulators dedicated to each critical circuit. This design ensures that every component receives the cleanest possible power \u2014 but just as importantly, it prevents noise generated by one part of the system from contaminating the rest of the board.<\/p>\n

Unlike typical network switches, which rely on potentially noisy switching converters or generic voltage rails shared across the entire circuit board, the XACT N1 uses a dedicated 100% linear internal power supply with only linear power regulation throughout, with no switching components anywhere in the signal or power path.<\/p>\n

The N1 features 4 standard LAN RJ45 ports, which share a common ground. These ports are intended for connecting devices such as routers, NAS devices, Wi-Fi access points, or other network components.<\/p>\n

The N1 also features an isolated RJ45 port, which is galvanically isolated from the rest of the switch circuitry. It has a separate power supply and an independent ground connection. This port is specifically designed for connecting an audio renderer (Network Player) or DAC, thereby preventing network noise from interfering with the audio system. The manual and website do not specify where one should connect a Music Server (essentially, a NAS and Network Player in one), so I tried the standard ports as well as the Isolated Port.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the N1 features an SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) port. A typical use case is connecting it to an SFP-capable router via a fiber optic cable. In most routers, SFP ports are directly linked to the router\u2019s processor, allowing you to bypass the often low-quality and noisy Ethernet switch section. As my main router does not support SFP, I left this option as it is. However, if your router offers this option, it is absolutely worth investigating.<\/p>\n

The N1\u2019s main processor powers off 15 seconds after startup to minimize electrical noise. After the processor shuts down, all configuration functions, including isolated port speed negotiation, are disabled to optimize audio performance.<\/p>\n

Every component in XACT N1 is hand-picked or developed from the ground up and thoroughly tested by ear.<\/p>\n

Main Features<\/h3>\n