Matrix Audio SS-1 Audio Grade Network Switch at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The SS-1 is an audio-grade network switch from Matrix Audio (Xi'an, China), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. The entry point into Matrix Audio's network infrastructure lineup, the SS-1 addresses the electrical noise, RF interference, and data timing instability that standard consumer-grade network switches introduce into a streaming audio system. At its core are dual 10Gbps SFP+ ports for complete galvanic isolation via fiber optic from the upstream router, two dedicated 100Mbps RJ45 audio ports optimized for lower bit-error-rate streaming, and an internal femtosecond crystal clock with ultra-low phase noise governing all internal data switching. A high-quality internal switching power supply handles all operational requirements, and a DC 12V input accepts an optional external linear power supply as an upgrade path. Every port carries an independent 10Gbps-grade shielded Ethernet transformer for RF interference rejection, with wide spacing for high-end audiophile-grade Ethernet cables. Reviewed by Alpha Audio, Hifi Pig, The Audio Tailor, and Soundnews.

Dual 10Gbps SFP+ Optical Isolation and Dedicated Audio Ports

Electrical noise reaches a streaming system through two paths: the mains power supply and the Ethernet cable from the router. The SS-1's dual 10Gbps SFP+ ports solve the Ethernet path by accepting standard fiber optic SFP or SFP+ transceiver modules, which transmit data over glass or plastic fiber with no electrical connection between the upstream router and the audio system. This galvanic break completely blocks ground-loop currents and common-mode interference from the network infrastructure, ensuring the data delivered to the streamer arrives in a clean electrical environment. The two dedicated 100Mbps RJ45 audio ports connect the streamer downstream, operating at lower speed to reduce the electromagnetic emissions and switching noise of the port circuitry compared to gigabit connections. Four auto-negotiating 2.5Gbps ports accommodate Roon Core servers, NAS drives, computers, and other higher-bandwidth devices on the same switch without compromising the audio ports. Each RJ45 port has its own independent shielded Ethernet transformer, and ports are widely spaced on the rear panel to prevent physical interference between high-end audio-grade Ethernet cables.

Femtosecond Clock and Upgradeable Power Supply

The SS-1 uses an internal ultra-low phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillator to govern all internal data switching and packet re-clocking. Network switches are not passive devices: every data packet passing through is buffered, re-clocked, and re-transmitted, and the precision of the internal clock determines how accurately this re-clocking process preserves the timing of the incoming data stream. The SS-1's femtosecond clock reduces timing jitter in this re-clocking process to a level far below that of conventional network switches using standard low-cost oscillators. The SS-1 ships with a wide-voltage internal switching power supply, and a DC 12V input accepting a minimum 18W external supply provides a linear power supply upgrade path for audiophiles who want to lower the noise floor of the switch's internal circuits further. Unlike the SS-1 PRO, the SS-1 does not include a 10MHz external clock input for master clock synchronization.

Key Features

• Dual 10Gbps SFP+ Optical Isolation Ports: Two SFP/SFP+ ports accept fiber optic transceiver modules for complete galvanic isolation from the upstream router, severing the electrical path for ground-loop noise and RF interference from the main network infrastructure.
• Two Dedicated 100Mbps Audio-Grade RJ45 Ports: Lower-speed ports optimized for audio streaming reduce electromagnetic emissions and bit-error-rate compared to gigabit connections, providing a more stable and accurate data stream to connected streamers.
• Four 2.5Gbps High-Speed RJ45 Ports: Four auto-negotiating 2.5Gbps/1Gbps/100Mbps/10Mbps ports accommodate Roon Core servers, NAS drives, computers, and other bandwidth-hungry devices on the same switch.
• Internal Ultra-Low Phase Noise Femtosecond Clock: High-precision femtosecond oscillator governs all internal data switching and packet re-clocking, minimizing timing jitter within the switch itself.
• DC 12V Input for External Linear Power Supply: A DC input accepting a minimum 18W external supply allows the internal switching supply to be bypassed with an optional dedicated linear power supply for further noise floor reduction.
• Independent 10Gbps-Grade Ethernet Transformers Per Port: Every RJ45 port has its own fully shielded Ethernet transformer for superior RF interference rejection, with wide port spacing to accommodate audiophile-grade Ethernet cables without physical interference.
• CNC Aluminum Chassis with Vibration Damping: Precision-machined solid aluminum enclosure provides excellent electromagnetic shielding, mechanical rigidity, and a low-resonance platform for the sensitive clock and switching circuits.
• Fanless Passive Cooling: Completely silent operation at all times with no fan noise or electrical interference from a fan motor.
• 16K MAC Address Table: Handles networks of up to 16,384 unique device addresses for integration into complex home network environments.

SS-1 vs. SS-1 PRO: Key Differences

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 2x 100Mbps RJ45 Audio Port (dedicated, shielded)
• 4x 2.5Gbps RJ45 High-Speed Port (auto-negotiating)
• 2x 10Gbps SFP / SFP+ Port (fiber optic isolation)
• DC 12V Input (external linear power supply, 18W minimum)
• IEC Power Input (AC 100V)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Matrix Audio SS-1?

The Matrix Audio SS-1 is an audio-grade network switch built around dual 10Gbps SFP+ ports for fiber optic galvanic isolation, two dedicated 100Mbps audio-grade RJ45 ports, four 2.5Gbps high-speed ports, and an internal femtosecond crystal clock. It ships with a high-quality internal switching power supply and includes a DC 12V input for an optional external linear power supply upgrade. It is the entry point into Matrix Audio's network infrastructure lineup and is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York.

How does the Matrix Audio SS-1 compare to the UpTone Audio EtherREGEN or English Electric 8Switch?

The Matrix Audio SS-1 competes directly with audiophile-grade network switches such as the UpTone Audio EtherREGEN and English Electric 8Switch. The EtherREGEN uses a moat-based isolation architecture with a linear power supply but offers fewer total ports and no 10Gbps SFP+ optical capability. The English Electric 8Switch uses a proprietary clock and shielded transformers but similarly lacks SFP+ fiber isolation. The SS-1 differentiates with dual 10Gbps SFP+ ports for true galvanic fiber isolation, a femtosecond crystal clock governing the full switching process, four 2.5Gbps high-speed ports for NAS and Roon Core connectivity, individual 10Gbps-grade shielded transformers per port, and a DC input for external linear power supply upgrade without replacing the entire unit.

Do I need fiber optic cables and transceivers to use the SFP+ ports?

Yes. The SFP+ ports on the SS-1 accept standard SFP or SFP+ transceiver modules that convert between the electrical Ethernet signal from the router and the fiber optic signal on the switch side. A matched pair of compatible transceivers and a fiber optic patch cable of the appropriate type and length are required. Common single-mode or multimode fiber SFP modules at 1Gbps are compatible and widely available. Vinyl Sound Buffalo can advise on recommended SFP transceiver options for a specific installation.

Can I use the SS-1 with a Roon Core and NAS at the same time as a streamer?

Yes. The SS-1 provides four 2.5Gbps RJ45 ports for high-bandwidth devices including a Roon Core computer and a NAS drive, alongside the two dedicated 100Mbps audio ports for the streamer. All six RJ45 ports and both SFP+ ports operate simultaneously, allowing the SS-1 to serve as the central network hub for a complete streaming system with the Roon Core, NAS, and streamer all connected at once. The dedicated audio ports maintain their lower-speed, lower-noise characteristics regardless of traffic on the higher-speed ports.

What external linear power supply is compatible with the SS-1?

The SS-1's DC input accepts a 12V external linear power supply rated at a minimum of 18W. Any compatible 12V DC linear power supply with the correct connector and polarity will work. Matrix Audio suggests the Element P2 as a compatible companion LPS option. Connecting an external linear power supply bypasses the internal switching supply, reducing the high-frequency switching noise that a standard supply introduces into the switch's clock and data circuits. Vinyl Sound Buffalo can advise on compatible linear power supply options for the SS-1.

Where can I buy the Matrix Audio SS-1 in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Matrix Audio SS-1 is available at Vinyl Sound, located in Buffalo, New York. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Matrix Audio dealer serving customers across Western New York and the United States, with expert guidance on network topology, SFP transceiver selection, fiber cable requirements, and the upgrade path to the SS-1 PRO or external linear power supply.

What is the difference between the Matrix Audio SS-1 and the SS-1 PRO?

The SS-1 and SS-1 PRO share the same core architecture: dual 10Gbps SFP+ optical isolation ports, two dedicated 100Mbps audio-grade RJ45 ports, and an internal femtosecond clock. The SS-1 PRO adds three key upgrades over the SS-1: a built-in linear power supply with an o-core toroidal transformer and six independent LDO regulators replacing the SS-1's switching supply, a 10MHz external BNC clock input for Matrix Audio SC-1 Reference Clock synchronization, and two additional 2.5Gbps high-speed ports for a total of six versus the SS-1's four. The SS-1 PRO is also slightly larger and heavier. The SS-1 is the right choice for listeners who want the optical isolation and femtosecond clock benefits with a lower entry cost and an optional LPS upgrade path, while the SS-1 PRO suits those building a complete Matrix Audio ecosystem with SC-1 clock synchronization across all components.