iFi OMNI LAN Audiophile Network Switch Review: Silence the Last Source of Noise in Your Hi-Fi System
The Audiophile Network Switch Built for Audio Perfectionists
Audiophile network switches can be a controversial topic in the audiophile community. They're a catch-22: Priced for their ability to deliver a pristine signal from the router to the final player, yet one of the main contributors to noise, jitter, and interference in a hi-fi system if poorly constructed. How can a component that's designed to reduce noise incorporate noise? Well, low-quality materials and subpar technology account for that.
Not every audiophile switch is built the same, and iFi Audio's sub-branch SilentPower, is proving that high-quality materials and advanced technologies make a world of difference. The OMNI LAN Audiophile Network Switch is the company's affordable solution to the age-old problem of unwanted noise. As audiophiles, we're always chasing that extra percentage point, that one thousandth of a trillionth of a second that sonically brings us one step closer to audio nirvana.
For $799, the OMNI LAN Audiophile Network Switch offers class-leading network connectivity with triple-stage isolation, femto-precision clocking, and real-time performance monitoring. It's a purpose-built network switch that will reduce jitter, noise, and electromagnetic interference in your hi-fi system. Installed between your router and source device (be it a music streamer, DAC, server, etc.), the OMNI LAN is an exceptional network solution for purists demanding the purest AV experience.
Not sure what network switches do? Ready to learn more? Keep reading for an introduction to audiophile network switches and links to relevant expert advice articles.
PROS
- Advanced technology seen in reference-level unis at an affordable price
- Versatile integration with 13 ports: 9 standard, 14 ultra-pure
- Improvement in sound clarity, transparency, and a quieter background
CONS
- May benefit from an upgraded power supply depending on your system
About SilentPower
SilentPower, a subsect of iFi Audio, was born out of the demand for user-friendly solutions that can enhance quality and reduce the noise of both power and digital signals. At the core of SilentPower products are advanced technologies pioneered by AMR Audio, iFi Audio's prestigious sister company. The team identified a gap in the market where products consistently fell short on performance, so what better solution than to create your own!
Those advanced technologies include AMR's OptiMains, designed to isolate the power supply from grid noise and DC offset while adjusting to variations in mains power. As the SilentPower range grew, so did the demand for signal enhancement technology, and today AMR's trickle-down technology is incorporated into most of SilentPower's products (iPower series, iPurifier series, Active power cables, etc.)
The mission of SilentPower is simple: To continue developing technology of audio signal enhancement and provide innovative solutions for eliminating unwanted noise in audio systems, while also committing to finding exciting new applications in other industries through pioneering research and development.
As SilentPower clearly states, "With great power comes great responsibility. With SilentPower comes great sound quality."
Why Invest in a Network Switch
Do Audiophile Network Switches Make a Difference?
Whether we like it or not, unwanted noise infiltrates our high-end audio systems. The biggest challenge in any hi-fi setup isn't configuring components correctly, sorting through tangled audio cables, or finding perfect synergy across several manufacturers. It's the ability to achieve silence. Silence is the goal. It's what every discerning audiophile is chasing, yet it's so hard to achieve.
So, how does noise show up in our system? Noise can be introduced through various means, both from external sources and from within the audio equipment itself. Components in the signal chain with different ground potentials introduce ground loops, which generate a low-frequency hum. There are also environmental factors like proximity to strong electromagnetic fields like Wi-Fi routers, AM radio stations, or power lines that interfere.
What we most commonly see is noise introduced through the Ethernet cable. While a wired connection yields more stable results than a Wi-Fi connection, there are still pitfalls you encounter. Let's face it–the supplied router from your internet provider isn't an ultimate, top-of-the-line product. It's mass-produced and delivered to every subscriber. So, when you're investing in high-end audio equipment, you want every piece of the puzzle to be high-end too–and that includes the gear and cables you use to link it all together.
Any noise introduced early in the signal chain can be amplified through subsequent stages, leading to clocking errors and a degraded sound quality. How does noise manifest itself sonically? Noise can impact sound quality through a loss of clarity, a less defined stereo image, and an overall more blurred sound. Is it universal across the board? No, and some might not even notice there's any noise present at all.
The OMNI LAN's solution? To act as a shield. It not only directs data traffic like any traditional switch, but it also cleans the network connection, eliminating electrical interference before it reaches our audio.
Design
From a design standpoint, the OMNI LAN takes a straightforward approach. Aesthetically, it resembles much of iFi Audio's home audio solutions, specifically the iFi Neo iDSD 2 Lossless Bluetooth DAC/Amp and Neo Stream DAC Network Audio Streamer. As we all know, products from the same brand typically have the best synergy. The OMNI LAN is no different. It has exceptional synergy with iFi Audio and SilentPower products. When paired with either of the iFi Neo components, you'll get a clean digital signal and optimal sound quality. But the OMNI LAN is not bound to the laws of iFi products. We tested it out with gear from numerous hi-fi brands and we're incredibly pleased with the results.
The OMNI LAN is a well-constructed component with an aluminum chassis and a minimalistic, industrial design. It has a dark gray finish with subtle silver and black accents. At roughly 2.3 pounds and 8.4 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches in size, the OMNI LAN is a compact, low-profile unit. You should have no problems sliding it onto a shelf or tucking it away in a cabinet. But for the ultimate flexibility, SilentPower has included a stand that enables the OMNI LAN to be positioned vertically or horizontally. The OMNI LAN's front display screen will automatically rotate depending on the unit's orientation.
On the front panel, you'll find a multifunction aluminum rotary knob, a power button, an enter/exit menu button, and a 2" TFT color display. The screen displays real-time bandwidth monitoring for all 13 ports on the back panel. Turn the rotary knob to view the port status. Click the enter/exit menu button and use the rotary knob to navigate settings. The OMNI LAN has the ultimate plug-and-play functionality. You can configure and manage the entire unit via the physical buttons on the front panel or use the iFi Nexis app on your smartphone or tablet for remote control. In the app, you can view real-time monitoring and firmware updates.
The OMNI LAN's plug-and-play functionality translates over to the back panel, where you have 13 ports alongside the DC input and the 10MHz BNC external master clock input/output. The 13 ports are broken up into two classifications: Nine standard ports and four ultra-pure ports. Eight RJ45 and one optical SFP ports are standard, meaning they have basic galvanic isolation. They're ideal for connecting the main router, media servers, smart TVs, video game consoles, that sort of thing.
I/O
- 8x Standard RJ45 Ports
- 1x Optical SFP Ports
- 1x Clean Optical SC Port
- 2x Clean RJ45 Ports
- 1x Clean M12-X Port
- 1x Clock SyncPort
Two RJ45, one optical SC, and one M12-X ethernet port are the ultra-pure outputs designed specifically for audio use. These ports receive the full treatment, which is triple-stage optical isolation and resynchronization with the GMT clock. Use these ports for your main audio streamer, DAC, high-end AV receiver, you get the gist.
Sound
The question that sparks many debates for audiophiles is "Can a network switch really change the sound coming out of a modern DAC?" Those who judge a piece of gear by their ears will tell you yes. Those who weigh statistics and measurements over sound may tell you no.
What we can all agree on is that noise sneaks its way into our system, whether we notice it or not, and it has a direct impact on the sound quality. That noise interferes with the precision of the DAC, master clock, and everything in between, introducing jitter right at the start of the digital-to-analog conversion. And in theory, jitter is audible.
Jitter in audio equipment refers to unwanted variations–tiny timing errors–in the digital clock that governs the conversion and transmission of audio signals. And all it takes is for one thousandth of a second to be off to impact audio quality. Jitter leads to distortion, loss of detail, reduced stereo imaging precision, and, in severe cases, fuzzy or grainy audio. High-end audio equipment demands precise, stable clocking to preserve and faithfully reproduce the intended sound quality. That's where the OMNI LAN flexes its muscles.
After configuring the OMNI LAN in multiple setups, I quickly concluded that it does improve sound quality. There were noticeable sonic improvements when paired with music streamers and other integrated components. In a headphone system, I experienced enhanced clarity, an expanded soundstage, and a quieter background. Headphones are tricky little suckers. If you have noise anywhere in your system, a headphone will spot it out immediately.
Thanks to its multiple connections, the OMNI LAN can be used in a home theater system, and many have reported improved sharpness and clarity when streaming on the TV. This is a great feature for audiophiles with full-fledged home audio systems, where media entertainment devices and audio gear live together.
Because the OMNI LAN's goal is to preserve a pristine, clean audio signal, it won't color, warm, or fluff up the sound of your gear in any way. It won't add musicality to your analytical system or make those sterile headphones a little warmer. It will, however, make your digital audio sound more organic and natural, and that's through greater clarity, detail, and definition. It will make an already analytical system sound even more transparent and analytical, and it will bring you one step closer to audio nirvana.
Features
- Advanced internal optical isolation to block and eliminate noise
- Triple-stage galvanic isolation for maximum signal purity
- Internal ‘GMT’ femto-precision clock with input and output sync
- Ultra-low packet loss (<0.1%) and digital jitter (0.05ms)
- Isolated power supply featuring multi-stage LC filtering, and multiple grounding loops
- TFT display showing real-time data analytics, with RX/TX speeds per port
- Three grounding modes for optimised ground configuration and sound performance
- Up to 5kV RMS isolation ensures safety and consistent reliability
- NEXIS app compatible for wireless remote control and OTA firmware updates
- Position horizontally or vertically – display rotates to suit orientation
- Diverse connectivity including 10 x 1Gbps RJ45, SFP, SC, and M12-X
Triple Stage Isolation
At the core of the OMNI LAN lies its triple-stage isolation, which makes this unit a formidable force against noise. The OMNI LAN converts the incoming LAN signal from the router into light and back again, regenerating the signal with no interference. It creates complete electrical separation between input and output, thereby eliminating electrical noise, interference, and stray currents from reaching your most sensitive components.
Once that signal becomes electrical again, it is actively regenerated, ensuring a square waveform and a well-defined, clean signal. Then enters the resynchronization performed by the ultra-precision GMT internal clock. We're talking femtosecond precision. The clock resynchronizes the data packets just before sending them through the ultra-pure outputs, so any jitter that may have accumulated is removed.
By physically separating these processes, electrical noise and radio frequency interference (RFI) are greatly reduced. What you're left with is a pure, pristine signal that delivers maximum sonic results. SilentPower has included a dedicated clock input/output for those who may prefer their own master clock over the OMNI LANs, OR, for those who would like to use the OMNI LAN as a master clock in their system.
Three Grounding Modes
The OMNI LAN features three grounding modes that are tailored to optimize noise across various setup environments. DC-RF connects both the DC ground and the RF ground together. RF grounds RF only, with no DC ground, and ISO has no DC or RF connection to ground. These modes can be switched using the OMNI LAN's front panel or the iFi Nexis app.
Dragon Cables
There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your audio cables are not afterthoughts.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Verdict
If you're ready to maximize the performance you get from your high-end system, but the tweaks you've made up to this point aren't cutting it, it's time to invest in a high-quality audiophile network switch. The SilentPower OMNI LAN Audiophile Network Switch from iFi Audio is the affordable solution for audiophiles seeking to squeeze out the very last drop of audio excellence. It's packed with sophisticated technologies that would easily run you tens of thousands of dollars. Triple-stage isolation, resynchronization, and both standard and ultra-pure ports for the ultimate connectivity and ease of use.
When paired with our Bronze Dragon Network Cable, the OMNI LAN is a valuable tool with a solid and reliable network infrastructure. The SilentPower OMNI LAN isn't claiming to turn any hi-fi system into a reference-level setup, but it will deliver a noticeable improvement in performance and move the dial on reducing noise. For those who prioritize measurable and verifiable performance, the OMNI LAN stands out as an excellent solution to the age-old problem of noise in our hi-fi systems.
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What's in the Box
- OMNI LAN
- Vertical Stand
- 15V Power Supply
- RJ45 to RJ45 Cable (0.5m)
- 4 Anti-Slip Pads
Specifications
Dimensions: 214 x 157 x 41mm
Net Weight: 1.06 kg
Limited Warranty: 12 months
Note: The image color may differ from the actual product due to lighting. Please refer to the product for accuracy
Standard Ports: 8x RJ45, 1x Optical SFP, 1x BNC Clock In/Out
Ultra-Pur Ports: 2x RJ45, 1x Optical SC, 1x M12
Word Clock Connection: BNC 75 ohm
Bandwidth: 1000 Mbps
Jitter: < 0.05 ms
Lost Data-Bag Ratio: < 0.09%
