KECES Ewave – network switch for music streaming

KECES Ewave is an audio-grade network switch for music streaming, developed for serious streaming and hi-fi systems. While a standard network switch is primarily designed to move data, Ewave is developed with a focus on the network side surrounding your streamer, music server, NAS, or network DAC.

KECES combines a 25 MHz OCXO clock with separate power supplies for key circuit sections, individual control of the network ports, and a PCB layout focused on reducing EMI and RFI noise. This makes Ewave relevant in a digital system where you want to give the network connection the same attention as the power supply, cables, and the rest of the signal chain.

Highlights

• Audio-grade Gigabit network switch
• 8 RJ45 Ethernet ports
• Supports 10/100/1000 Mbps
• 25 MHz OCXO clock
• Separate power supplies for key circuit sections
• Individual on/off control of each network port
• Audio-Priority QoS
• Circuit design focused on reducing EMI and RFI
• Separate ground connection
• External 12 V / 1 A DC power supply
• 2.5/5.5 mm DC connector

A network switch developed for streaming

KECES Ewave differs from a traditional network switch by being developed specifically with music streaming in mind. During real-time streaming, the network is constantly working, and KECES has therefore focused on timing and electrical noise around signal processing.

At the heart of the design is a 25 MHz OCXO – Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator – with low phase noise. It is used for precise timing in the network section. The power supply is also divided among key circuits such as the OCXO, MCU, and the rest of the electronics to limit electrical interference between sections.

The design therefore focuses on stable operating conditions in the network connection between, for example, a music server or NAS and the streamer or network DAC that handles playback.

Eight Gigabit ports with individual control

KECES Ewave has eight RJ45 Ethernet ports with support for 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps. This makes it possible to gather, for example, a streamer, music server, NAS, and other relevant network components in the same switch.

Each network port can be turned on and off individually. If, for example, you only use three ports, the remaining ones can be disabled to reduce crosstalk and unnecessary activity in the switch.

Ewave also uses Audio-Priority QoS, where network traffic is handled with priority given to audio data. The combination of individual port control, Gigabit Ethernet, and the dedicated design makes the switch purpose-built for network-based music playback.

Built as a hi-fi component

KECES has developed the circuit design and PCB layout with a focus on limiting EMI and RFI interference. Ewave also has a separate ground connection for systems where you want to work further with grounding.

Power is supplied via 12 V / 1 A DC with a 2.5/5.5 mm connector. With dimensions of 220 × 220 × 66 mm, Ewave also has the form factor and construction of a dedicated hi-fi component rather than traditional network equipment.

KECES Ewave is especially interesting in a system where streaming is the primary music source, and where you want a network switch developed specifically with music playback and the rest of the hi-fi system in mind.

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