10 replies to this topic

[Marcin_gps]

Hi everyone,

 

I’d like to personally share a project that’s been in development for quite some time: the XACT N1, a network switch we built entirely from scratch — not modified, not rebranded, but truly designed for high-end audio from the ground up.

 

Over the years, I’ve tested many audiophile-grade switches. Most are based on office-grade IT boards with minor tweaks (usually power supply upgrades). But the core problem — noisy, shared, multi-purpose mainboards — was never addressed.

That’s why we started from zero.

 

The XACT N1 uses a fully custom motherboard, developed with one goal: maximum sound quality. 

 

Every critical component is powered by its own ultra low-noise linear regulator (LDO) — not just to provide clean power, but to prevent circuits from polluting each other.

 

We also included:

• A fully isolated 1 Gbit RJ45 port — galvanically separated from the rest of the switch (data, clock, and ground). 
• Master OCXO clock with its own linear power rail
• OPTIMO N1â„¢ linear power supply with three separate galvanically isolated rails for the main switch circuit, the clock and the isolated port
• Custom-tuned firmware focused purely on audio performance

The result?
In my own listening tests and those of early users — the sound is completely free of harshness or digital edge. You get a deeper soundstage, better separation, and a natural, effortless flow that’s rare in streamed audio.

 

This is not a product for everyone — but if you're running a serious server/streamer setup and want to extract every last bit of performance, I truly believe the N1 is something special.

 

🔍 More info: https://xact.audio/n1-network-switch/
🛒 Available here: https://jcat.eu/product/xact-n1/

 

Happy to answer any questions — technical or listening-related.

 

Best Regards,
Marcin 

 

[bogkor35]

I recently changed my network switch from M12 Gold to XACT N1 together with JCAT PHANTOM LAN cable. [/size]
 
Although my system already sounded very good with M12 Gold, I didn't expect such level of change. 
 
The sound is completely free of any distortion, with stunning clarity and breathtaking holography. The level of realism and immersion is simply unmatched. It is for me the most significant upgrade so far.
 
Thank you Marcin and waiting for network router with access point   

[Chanh]

Hi bogkor35,

Are you able to share more details about your setup. It’s evident that you have an incredibly resolving system, and your enthusiastic feedback on virtually every JCAT product—from the network card to the USB and external clock module, and now the new switch—captures my interest. However, I can’t help but question where the law of diminishing returns comes into play here.

[bogkor35]

My audio server hardware setup

 

[SERVER COMPONENTS]

1. SOTM sMB-Q370 motherboard with SOTM SCLK-EX
2. JCAT USB XE EVO
3. JCAT NET XE EVO
4. Master OXCO clock for JCAT USB & NET
5. Master OXCO clock for SOTM motherboard
6. M.2 FEMTO SSD for Data
7. M.2 FEMTO SSD for OS
8. RAM industrial Apacer DDR4 (2 x 4GB)
9. Intel i9-9900
10. XACT PHANTOM USB cable
11. HDPlex fanless chasis

[NETWORK]

„Dedicated iPad Pro (M4) with JPLAY app” —> „AirStream2 wireless router” —> Transparent LAN cable (to be changed) —> OPT BRIDGE 1000M OPTICAL ISOLATOR —> XACT PHANTOM LAN cable —> XACT N1 —> XACT PHANTOM LAN cable —> JCAT NET XE EVO

 

[LINEAR POWER SUPPLY]

1. OPTIMO S ATX —> SOTM sMB-Q370 motherboard (CPU | mainboard)
2. ULTIMO 12V —> ULTIMO DC cable —> (2 inputs) OPT BRIDGE 1000M OPTICAL
3. ULTIMO 12V —> ULTIMO DC cable —> (2 inputs) „AirStream2 wireless router” | SOTM SCLK-EX
4. ULTIMO 5V —> ULTIMO DC cable —> (3 inputs) JCAT NET XE EVO | Master OXCO Clock | M.2 FEMTO SSD for OS
5. ULTIMO 5V —> ULTIMO DC cable —> (3 inputs) JCAT USB XE EVO | Master OXCO Clock for SOTM | M.2 FEMTO SSD for Data
6. OPTIMO | ULTIMO | XACT N1 fuse replaced to Shunyata Master & Purple

[bogkor35]

Hi bogkor35,

Are you able to share more details about your setup. It’s evident that you have an incredibly resolving system, and your enthusiastic feedback on virtually every JCAT product—from the network card to the USB and external clock module, and now the new switch—captures my interest. However, I can’t help but question where the law of diminishing returns comes into play here.

My experience is that network part is extremely important. As an example, I recently changed from Transparent Audio LAN cable to XACT PHANTOM LAN cable connected OPT Bridge to XACT N1 and was shocked how this influenced SQ. I really expected less as logically this component is far away from the server (BTW XACT PHANTOM LAN cable is very good indeed but needs long burn in time). Another example is that each subrelease of JPLAY iOS app improves a little bit overall sound what is really audible (BTW I'm wondering how it will sound within one or two years) and iPAD & JPLAY iOS app settings are also very important.

[Thuan]

network part is extremely important.

Can’t agree more, especially when one’s system is built around JPLAY.

[Chanh]

Great work, bogkor35! What I meant to say was that I'm interested in the downstream electronics. This information will help us better understand your feedback.

I recognize that every interface contributes to the overall sound, but my primary interest lies in the downstream setup. I will shoot a private message to avoid OT.

[Marcin_gps]

Here are a few photos from our setup at the High End 2025 in Munich – including a look behind the scenes at the network configuration.

 

We used the new XACT N1 switch in a system featuring the XACT S1 EVO music server.

 

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 IMG_8458.jpg   1.3MB   0 downloads

 

Best regards,

Marcin

 

[Marcin_gps]

 EDITOR'S CHOICE — The Ear

Jason Kennedy has awarded the XACT N1 Network Switch the Editor's Choice at The Ear.

"The N1 lowers the noise floor to reveal greater detail, clarity, timing accuracy, and instrument separation, giving music a more natural, fluid, almost analogue character. It reinforces the idea that the network switch is a critical part of the streaming signal chain." — Jason Kennedy, The Ear

A new reference for what a network switch can do for high-end streaming.

Read the full review https://the-ear.net/...g-ups-its-game/

 

Marcin

[Marcin_gps]

For those interested: HIFISTATEMENT has published a review of the XACT N1 Switch, written by Roland Dietl

 

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The review goes into the technical design in some detail — the fully linear power supply with three separate rails, the heated 25 MHz OCXO clock, and the fully isolated port (data, ground, and power) running at 1 Gigabit.

 

The reviewer's conclusion:

 

"The XACT N1 Switch is one of the best options I've encountered so far for optimizing a network environment at the very highest sonic level. But beware: the way back could be difficult!"

 

One observation I found particularly interesting: he noted the improvement held true even when no audio data flowed through the switch — only the control app over Wi-Fi — which speaks to how much the entire network path matters.

 

Full review here: https://www.hifistat...-xact-n1-switch

 

Marcin

[Marcin_gps]

Two reviews of the XACT N1, now in English

 

 XACT_N1_reviews_1080.png   545.98KB   0 downloads

 

A quick update for those following this thread. Two French publications have reviewed the N1 over the summer, and the English translation of the review is now up on 6moons for those who don't read French.

 

VUmètre (issue 66, July–August) gave it their "Remarkable" award. Joël Chevassus tested it in place of an LHY SW10 and then cascaded after it, feeding a Lumin U2x over fiber (DELA SFP C1-D20) as well as CH Precision and Esoteric network modules over RJ45.

 

His conclusion: "the very best switch I have been able to test on my system to date," with the fiber link to the streamer getting the best results, though he notes it "excels just as much over a conventional RJ45 Ethernet connection."

 

Full review can be found here: https://6moons.com/a...ticles/xact-n1/

 

For anyone new to the N1, the short version of what it is: a switch built from a blank page rather than a modified standard switch adapted for audio. A 100% linear power supply with three galvanically isolated rails (main switch circuit, system clock, isolated output), a 25 MHz OCXO clock, low-noise Ethernet transformers with high common-mode rejection, four standard Gigabit RJ45 ports, one fully isolated RJ45 port with its own power and ground for the streamer, and an SFP port for fiber.

 

Best regards,

Marcin