muon²

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (i5, 256GB SSD, 40GB RAM, Sonoma 14), 4TB external SSD with Thunderbolt 3, Audirvana Studio, Qobuz Sublime, Singxer SU-6 USB bridge, LHY Audio SW-8 & SW-6 switch, Sonnet Pasithea, LAiV Audio Harmony; Active filter: spl Audio Crossover MkII; Power amplifiers: Vinshine/Kinki Dazzle & mono Ncore 500 Nord Acoustic amps on subwoofer; Headamp: Enleum AMP-23R; Phones: Raal 1995 Immanis; Loudspeakers: Qualio IQ [on loan] Cables: Exact Express Flame, Furutech; Power delivery: 2 x Kinki/Vinshine Tai Hang on amps and source stack, Furutech DPS-4.1 between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators, AudioQuest FogLifters; Room: 6 x 8m with open door behind listening seat; Room treatment: 2 x PSI Audio AVAA C214 active bass traps
2nd system: Source: FiiO R7 into Soundaware D300Ref SD transport to Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe with POW; Preamp/filter: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box 2; Amplifier: Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos; Loudspeakers: ModalAkustik MusikBoxx; Subwoofer: Zu Method; Cable loom: Exact Express Earth; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra, Akiko Audio Corelli Corundum & Castello Solo; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Sundry accessories: Furutech cable lifts, Furutech NFC Clear Lines; Room: ~3.5 x 8m
2nd headfi system: DAC: Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe with POW; Headamp: Cen.Grand Silver Fox; Headphones: Raal 1995 Magna, HifiMan Susvara
Desktop system: Source: HP Z2 workstation Win11/64; USB bridge: LHY UIP; Ethernet bridge: LHY EFI; Ethernet reclocker: Stack SmoothLAN; DACs: Audalytic DR701 & Gustard R26II; Headphone/preamp: FangSound Dionysus; Speaker amps: Topping B200 monos; Loudspeakers: Virtual Hifi Viper; Headphones: Final D-8000, aune SR7000, FiiO FT7
Upstairs headfi system: FiiO R7; Headphones: Meze 109 Pro, Fiio FT3
2nd upstairs speaker system: Source: FiiO R7; DAC/pre: COS D1; Amplifier: Kinki EX-M7; Loudspeakers: sound|kaos Vox3 with Dynaudio S18 subwoofer
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; All-in-One: Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe; Loudspeakers: Zu Mission; Subwoofer: Zu Mission; Power delivery: Furutech eTP-8, Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: €7'999

Get your muons switched on. Before we do, some quizzy pop: "A muon is an unstable fundamental subatomic particle considered to be a 207 times heavier version of an electron. Muons create when high-energy cosmic rays collide with atoms in our planet's upper atmosphere. They rain down constantly, passing harmlessly through our bodies at a rate of roughly one per cm²/minute. Because muons are so highly penetrating, they can pass through hundreds of metres of dense rock or concrete. Scientists use them like advanced X-rays to image the inner structures of volcanoes, pyramids and nuclear reactors without drilling or causing damage." Back to our far from cosmic hifi space. Here UK brand Network Acoustics' muon² is their priciest model to date. As shown, it's a 5 x 2.5Gbps RJ45 + 1 x 1G SFP fibre-optic LAN distributor more prosaically known as an Ethernet switch. Powered from an internal hybrid linear/switching supply, it ensconces in solid Beech wood precision-machined by German speaker house Auer Acoustics of Panzerholz fame. Finished in no-tell gloss black or silver, muon²'s mere existence then €8K tariff are bound to set off commercial network specialists. For audiophiles meanwhile already hip to advanced noise reduction benefits on digital circuitry, it could be just the tariff which chokes. It's why the same brand have their €1'395 eno² passive network filter, a box with single i/o on RJ45. They also do sundry network cables which are CAT/USB-based; digital AES/EBU; and an outboard power supply with single 5V/3.5A or 12V/3A output. In short, they're fiercely committed to streaming; not by producing Lumin-type servers but inline items which can precede such electronics to perform still better. As such theirs aren't primary sound makers. Like isolation footers, noise traps, power filters and ground stations, their removal from the signal path won't kill our sound. They're secondary sound improvers hence items one might consider once the primary hardware without which there would be no sound is in place and well sorted. I'm sure that even Rob Osbourn and Alan Duncan of Network Acoustics would agree with that definition even though you'd also expect them to be rather bullish on the level of improvements their currently most ambitious project can make beyond 'mere' accessories. Even the included three pyramidal footers aren't run of the mill. muon² measures 29cm square and 9cm tall. It weighs 3.3kg and tolerates any voltage from 100-240V at 50/60Hz. Power consumption is a low 5 watts. Says co-founder Richard Trussell, "our priority was to enhance every aspect of a switch's performance. While the motherboard and clock are important, our research and listening tests constantly demonstrated how the defining factors lie in the power supply and in controlling vibration through careful enclosure design and isolation."

Cynical bystanders can't fail to feel piqued by the ongoing land grab of performance audio. There are audiophile fuses, audiophile music servers, audiophile-approved AC receptacles, audiophile USB and network cables, audio-grade SMPS where medical-grade isn't good enough—the list goes on. For anything civilian our kind has a specialized equivalent. Before network streaming was a thing, audio-grade Ethernet switches were science fiction, TP-Link or Cisco kit good enough. But just like computer/USB audio turned out to be far fussier than printer, mouse and keyboard ancillaries, network audio followed on. The most current wrinkle are plastic/glass-based fibre-optics to replace copper-based CAT5-8 transmission just as S/PDIF has its Toslink variant. To be sure, all civilian versions work, from freebie power cords to throwaway USB strips to a Computer Emporium switch or media converter to a generic laptop with Spotify access via CAT5. Audiophiles simply can't help wonder whether things can't be improved; a lot. In that quest some turn over every possible stone. Others cast them like the scribes and Pharisees of old did. "Let him who never sinned throw the first stone!" In the Book of Sins, boss for short, there are far worse things than being a geeky audiophile. So give our tweaky obsessions a break. We made our spare change. Let us spend it as we hear fit.

… to be continued…