NuPrime Omnia SW-8 Audiophile Network Switch

The NuPrime Omnia SW-8 is an audiophile 8-port network switch that hands streaming data over to your hi-fi chain with a precise clock and consistent noise suppression.

It is meant for everyone who wants to get the last bit of calm and precision out of the network when streaming – where an ordinary office switch gave up long ago.

Why the Omnia SW-8?

Eight audio-grade ports with Gigabit Ethernet, a high-precision TCXO clock with 0.1 ppm and a robust, fully enclosed aluminium case that shields against electromagnetic interference. Add the "2+2" noise isolation: two isolators in the main circuit, two at the clock generator, complemented by the Silent Angel Noise Absorber (SANA) in the base of the case. The medically certified power supply delivers clean power with very low leakage current.

Plain words from the manufacturer, which we are happy to pass on: a switch cannot make correctly transmitted data any better, and the ppm figure says nothing about jitter or phase noise. Less jitter in the Ethernet also does not automatically mean less jitter in the DAC.

What you get

You get a compact component (just 155 × 85 × 30 mm, 0.6 kg) that works quietly away and discreetly disappears in any rack, including a medical-grade 5 V power supply. What you hear depends on the player, the DAC and the whole chain. Reviewers like to describe it as if a veil were being pulled away from the music – it seems purer and more three-dimensional; other listeners experience the difference more subtly. Hand on heart: this isn't voodoo, but clean engineering with a system-dependent result.

Who is the Omnia SW-8 for – and who is it not for?

Ideal for anyone with a resolving streaming setup who wants to coax out the maximum of calm. Plain talk: with a simple wireless box or with pure Bluetooth operation you will get little from it – the switch is only worthwhile once the rest of the chain resolves finely enough to show the difference.

Our verdict

A cleanly built piece of network tuning in an elegant aluminium dress – not a plastic throwaway, but a well-thought-out tool for the last stage of optimization. Anyone willing to pay a small premium for better shielding and build quality gets a lot of substance for the money here – without miracle promises, because how much you hear is decided by your chain.

From the specialist press: LowBeats (Frank Borowski, December 2020) sees further sonic gains in the SW-8 with finer accents and more calm, and HiFi-IFAs (Bernd Weber, 2020) describes how the switch pulls the veil away from the music and makes it purer and more three-dimensional – in each case in the reviewers' setups.

Technical specifications

• Type: Audiophile network switch, 8 ports
• Ports: 8 x audio-grade 100/1000 Base-T Gigabit Ethernet
• Clock accuracy: TCXO 0.1 ppm at 25 °C
• Noise suppression: "2+2" noise isolators (2 in the main circuit, 2 at the clock generator), Silent Angel Noise Absorber (SANA) in the base of the case
• Main circuit isolation: 17.78 dB at 100 MHz (x2)
• Clock circuit isolation: 20.79 dB at 100 MHz (x2)
• Note on isolation values: circuit measurements, not measurements at the DAC output
• Housing: enclosed aluminium, EMI-shielded
• Power supply: medically certified (2x MOPP), leakage current below 100 µA; 5 V DC / 1 A / max. 5 W
• Operating temperature: 0 to 35 °C
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 155 × 30 × 85 mm
• Weight: 0.6 kg
• What's in the box: Omnia SW-8 switch, power supply, user manual

FAQ

What does an audiophile network switch actually do for the sound?
An audiophile switch like the Omnia SW-8 reduces electrical noise and delivers a precise clock before the data reaches your streamer. It cannot, however, improve correctly transmitted data. Whether and how clearly you hear anything depends on player, DAC and the whole chain – some listeners describe more calm and three-dimensionality, others hardly any difference.

How many devices can I connect to the Omnia SW-8?
Eight. The switch offers eight audio-grade ports with 100/1000 Base-T Gigabit Ethernet. Each port delivers a constant 1 Gbit/s and also transmits large high-res files without dropouts – enough for streamer, server, NAS and player in one chain.

How does the Omnia SW-8 differ from the Silent Angel Bonn N8?
The core technology is related, but the NuPrime relies on a higher-quality, fully enclosed aluminium case with better EMI shielding. Reviewers describe the sound as somewhat calmer and more structured; the differences are subtle, the build quality more refined.

Does the Omnia SW-8 need a special power supply?
It comes with a medically certified power supply (2x MOPP, very low leakage current below 100 microamps) for clean power delivery. If you want even more tuning, you can consider a third-party linear power supply – we will advise you on whether that is worthwhile in your chain.

Why buy the NuPrime Omnia SW-8 at HD Zürisee?
Because network tuning takes experience: we tell you honestly where an audiophile switch really does something in your chain and where it doesn't. A well-rehearsed specialist team on Lake Zurich, our own technician for integration, proper warranty. Get in touch – we think along with you rather than just selling.

Goes well with

A switch is part of the streaming chain – here is how to continue sensibly:

• Streaming: The switch belongs directly in front of your streamer. From the same series, the Stream 9X fits, which takes in data via Ethernet and passes it on to an external DAC.
• Conversion: A DAC turns the data into music – whether the network side arrives there audibly depends on the whole chain.
• Expansion: If you want more ports or the next step up in the series, have a look at the larger SW-9X (with internal or external 25 MHz clock); you will also find more network accessories with us.
• Connection: Clean network cables for the last few metres.
• More from the series: NuPrime