Recommended network components

[Gammaboy*]

I have found the 308 to be an improvement over the 108v2. I prefer the power supply from the 108v2 and found it worth experimenting with the orientation of the plug.

[Hermann]

Interesting finding. I'm wondering which 308 it is, the "normal" or 308E. They are offered in gray and blue. Which one was right for you. Both are new quite cheap 22 € and 39 €.

The 108T is similar, one in grey, the other blue in a much larger design. The gray one is currently playing with the power supply of the blue one, which is much thicker than the very narrow one of the gray 108. And of cource it sounds better in this way.

[tokenbrit]

Interesting finding. I'm wondering which 308 it is, the "normal" or 308E...

This one? https://www.netgear.de/support/product/GS308T.aspx

[Hermann]

Thanks tokenbrit, a bit more expensive but still affordable.

[ThomasOK]

Interesting finding. I'm wondering which 308 it is, the "normal" or 308E...

This one? https://www.netgear.de/support/product/GS308T.aspx

Yes, it is the GS308T, not the GS308 standard version, which I have not tried.

[tokenbrit]

Discussion of Netgear power supplies has been split from the Playground thread

-Moderator

It appears we have a clear winner. A is the 308T, B the 108Tv2, confirming previous findings.

I conducted this test similar to ThomasOK's, in that I used the same power supply and plug orientation for both units. However in this case I used the wallwart that was supplied with the 308T, simply because that's what was plugged in at the time. Since then I have compared with the 108's power supply, which I preferred, and checked plug orientation. I also checked orientation of the ethernet cables and found the one from switch to HAKAI was backwards.

Thanks again for all your feedback. The music just keeps getting better and better.

Between switch, power supply, and cable orientation, that's quite a few upgrades in 'one'. Out of interest, was the preferred plug orientation of the 108's power supply the same for both 108T & 308T switch(es)?

(follow-up q: if the preferred plug orientation is reversed between 108 & 308T, for which switch was the plug orientation optimised in the A/B clips?)

[markiteight]

Between switch, power supply, and cable orientation, that's quite a few upgrades in 'one'.

And there's more! But that's a topic for another conversation.

Out of interest, was the preferred plug orientation of the 108's power supply the same for both 108T & 308T switch(es)?

(follow-up q: if the preferred plug orientation is reversed between 108 & 308T, for which switch was the plug orientation optimised in the A/B clips?)

Good questions, TB. Unfortunately I don't know the answer. I only checked plug orientation on the 108T supply, but if we assume the optimum orientation is the same for both supplies then it was wrong in the clips.

I believe ThomasOK has checked orientation on both supplies.

[tokenbrit]

Between switch, power supply, and cable orientation, that's quite a few upgrades in 'one'.

And there's more! But that's a topic for another conversation.

Out of interest, was the preferred plug orientation of the 108's power supply the same for both 108T & 308T switch(es)?

(follow-up q: if the preferred plug orientation is reversed between 108 & 308T, for which switch was the plug orientation optimised in the A/B clips?)

Good questions, TB. Unfortunately I don't know the answer. I only checked plug orientation on the 108T supply, but if we assume the optimum orientation is the same for both supplies then it was wrong in the clips.

I believe ThomasOK has checked orientation on both supplies.

I believe Thomas found that the 308T psu dresses to the left, while the 108T psu dresses to the right... (both with an outlet oriented with the ground pin down 'o' ) Rereading his posts, it seems as if the orientation is simply plug/psu dependent; it doesn't change between switches :phew: ;) That all suggests the 308T psu was in the optimum orientation as it's the opposite between the two supplies :)

[Spannko]

Thanks for the comparisons TOK & markiteight!

[markiteight]

I believe Thomas found that the 308T psu dresses to the left, while the 108T psu dresses to the right... (both with an outlet oriented with the ground pin down 'o' ) Rereading his posts, it seems as if the orientation is simply plug/psu dependent; it doesn't change between switches :phew: ;) That all suggests the 308T psu was in the optimum orientation as it's the opposite between the two supplies :)

Hrmmm...is there a post somewhere that discusses this? I did a search and can't find anything. I found the 108T psu extending to the left to be better. It's possible this outlet was wired backwards (wouldn't be the first one we've found in this house), and it's possible I got it wrong. I need to re-evaluate.

I also should check to see if HAKAI still needs the ground lift cheater plug.

[tokenbrit]

Hrmmm...is there a post somewhere that discusses this? I did a search and can't find anything. I found the 108T psu extending to the left to be better. It's possible this outlet was wired backwards (wouldn't be the first one we've found in this house) ...

Yes, from this post:

I used the power supply that came with the GS308T. In addition it is plugged in in the same direction as the GS108T PS but that turns out to be the wrong way. I did make another clip with it oriented in the best sounding direction with the wire going to the left when plugged into a 3 prong outlet with the ground down. The GS108T is most musical with the PS wire going to the right.

[ThomasOK]

I believe that the power supply orientation should remain consistent regardless of what it is powering but I have not actually checked that assumption. What I can say is that Netgear changes the PS from time to time and the orientation can change with the power supply so it is always best to check whatever power supply you have to find the most musical direction. I believe that Fredrik has also noted that the orientation can be different with different EU power supplies that Netgear supply. I have a GS108, GS108Tv2 and GS308T and all three have different power supplies. The one that came with the GS108T is the most musical. The one that came with the GS308T is the only one with the different orientation being better musically.

[lejonklou]

Could you please tell us the model number of the best sounding mains adapter, Thomas?

[springwood64]

I also checked orientation of the ethernet cables and found the one from switch to HAKAI was backwards.

Oh no! The ethernet cables have a direction? I guess I've only got 3 to worry about.

[ThomasOK]

Could you please tell us the model number of the best sounding mains adapter, Thomas?

Yes, that thought already occurred to me when I was writing the last post. I was planning on looking at the part numbers on all three PS units when I get home.

[ThomasOK]

I also checked orientation of the ethernet cables and found the one from switch to HAKAI was backwards.

Oh no! The ethernet cables have a direction? I guess I've only got 3 to worry about.

Yes they do!

[springwood64]

I also checked orientation of the ethernet cables and found the one from switch to HAKAI was backwards.

Oh no! The ethernet cables have a direction? I guess I've only got 3 to worry about.

Yes they do!

I feel like Donkey meeting the Dragon: "ethernet cables are directional?? ... Of *course* ethernet cables are directional...!!"

(not sure the analogy stretches to minty freshness)

[Hermann]

After the GS308T has been playing since yesterday, the larger power supply of an old GS108T (large design, blue) crystallizes as the better one. It already did that with the GS108T (smaller design, gray).

Here are some pictures:

PS of GS108T large build (blue)

20221104_112202.jpg

PS of GS308T

20221104_112312.jpg

PS of GS108T (grey)

20221104_112609.jpg

[ThomasOK]

I remembered to take the photos last night so here are the three power supply units from my Netgear switches. The top unit is the one that came with the GS308T that sounds the best with the wire going the opposite way to the other two. The second unit and the third have the same part numbers which surprised me. When I received the GS108Tv2 I tested the power supply that came with it and the one that came with my GS108 and the GS108Tv2 power supply was more musical. That is the third PS unit, the one from the GS108 is the second one. So even with the same part number there may be musical differences.

[springwood64]

Here's my ps for GS108Tv3

IMG_20221105_202133957~2.jpg

[markiteight]

I remembered to take the photos last night so here are the three power supply units from my Netgear switches. The top unit is the one that came with the GS308T that sounds the best with the wire going the opposite way to the other two. The second unit and the third have the same part numbers which surprised me. When I received the GS108Tv2 I tested the power supply that came with it and the one that came with my GS108 and the GS108Tv2 power supply was more musical. That is the third PS unit, the one from the GS108 is the second one. So even with the same part number there may be musical differences.

My GS308T power supply's part number matches yours, Thomas. But my GS108Tv2 doesn't. I have a 332-10190-01, but the model number is the same.

[lejonklou]

I haven’t tested the 308T yet, but I will.

I checked the mains adapter for my 108Tv2 and it’s the same unit that was supplied with Hermann’s 308T, see photo below. Live phase should go to the upper pin in this photo (it's outside the photo but you get the idea).

The one Hermann found even better appears to be an old linear power supply, which is a bit interesting because I have tested various power supplies with my 108Tv2 and the best one so far has been the original one that was supplied with the unit. For instance, a beefy power supply that sounded best with my old router did not perform well with the 108Tv2 switch.

It’s useful to know that it’s not as easy as one 12 Volt power supply is always the best for all units.

[tokenbrit]

.. my GS108Tv2 [part number] doesn't [match]. I have a 332-10190-01, but the model number is the same.

Same here, as markiteight: GS108Tv2 332-10190-01 (Model No. MT12-Y120100-A1)

Also, GS108v3 332-10329-02 (Model AD810F10, type 007-2LF)

GS308T on order. For those based in the US, B&H have a holiday savings price reduction at the mo': $49.99 instead of $79.99

Update: GS308T received with power supply 332-10742-02 (Model 2AAJ012F 1 NA) - same as ThomasOK & mi8

[Hermann]

I haven’t tested the 308T yet, but I will.

I checked the mains adapter for my 108Tv2 and it’s the same unit that was supplied with Hermann’s 308T, see photo below. Live phase should go to the upper pin in this photo (it's outside the photo but you get the idea).

The one Hermann found even better appears to be an old linear power supply, which is a bit interesting because I have tested various power supplies with my 108Tv2 and the best one so far has been the original one that was supplied with the unit. For instance, a beefy power supply that sounded best with my old router did not perform well with the 108Tv2 switch.

It’s useful to know that it’s not as easy as one 12 Volt power supply is always the best for all units.

I don't want to make a final decision regarding the power supplies, because my first impression was not confirmed last night. The phase at the top pin is my finding too.

[Gammaboy*]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the English Electric 8Switch to the Netgear GS108Tv2 or GS 308T with the Kalla?