Where is the time that the only option was to put on a record? When I did my solemn communion, I got my first seprates system and … yes yes … one of the first cd-players on the market. It was from the brand AKAI. The system was comprised of a 2 x 35Watt amp, double cassette player, turntable, tuner, 7-band equaliser and of course a cd-player. I remember getting a “free” cd with the set cause of the amount spent. One of the first cd’s on the market was “Bad” from Michael Jackson. Fast forward 40 year, we live in a world where we don’t really need physical sound carriers. Yes, they are still around. People are still playing records and buying vinyl. Are cd’s still a thing? Or even dvd’s and/or blu-ray discs? Here, in our listening room they are not. It’s digital only for the moment. I think it’s in a way the result of a broad “convenience” wave that we all are taking part in. Really, how easy is it to get your phone or tablet out, start your favorite music app and start sending digital music tracks that come from the internet to your streaming device or streaming amplifier. If you think of it, you can’t call this a revolution when it took 40 years to get there. The implication of all this is that we have to deal with a new kind of “ecosystem”. There are several brands that offer products in what we might call the new network streaming category. It doesn’t stop with just audiophile network switches, no sir, you have your network streaming devices, further upgrade possibilities with products like external clocks and power supplies to name a few. While we were enjoying our day to day lives, a whole new “ecosystem” arose, right under our noses. It might be worth your while, investigating how such a new ecosystem could fit and upgrade your system. There are a lot of excellent products out there, that instantly lift the performance and get you closer to the content. I’m trying to urge you to step into the whole new world. There’s no better way than to start with the basics. In this case I’m talking network switches. We already had some experience with the top tier gear from Silent Angel in that regard. Let’s take a look at their new mid tier offering: the Bonn N8C. Please plug in your LAN cable to continue this journey …
A Close look at the Silent Angel Bonn N8C
The quest of Silent Angel began in 2014. The fact that digital music systems carry more data than compact discs, but lacked in sound quality at that time offered them a real challenge. The pleasure of listening to the high quality of music should be kept at all times. So, they want to unleash the power of digital music systems. It should be better than CD or even beyond. Today, Silent Angel aims at providing solutions to unlock the performance of you high-end audio gear, more specifically in the realm of streaming audio,offering tailor-made solutions for audiophiles and enthusiasts of high-end audio. That brings us to the Bonn N8C; a hi-fi grade 8-port network switch. The Bonn N8C is engineered to optimize network audio streaming. By minimizing signal noise and reducing data packet errors, it significantly improves streaming stability and sound clarity. With a high-precision TCXO clock and support for external master clock input, this network switch delivers consistent, low-jitter transmission, ensuring every sonic detail reaches your system intact.
Key features at a glance
The Silent Angel Bonn N8C features a robust aluminum alloy chassis that protects against vibration, dust, and electrical noise, ensuring consistently high sound quality in any environment. The unit is equipped with 8 high-speed network ports, each with status LEDs to monitor activity and speed, ensuring optimal connectivity across all devices. Further more, it features a high-precision internal TCXO oscillator. Even without a master clock, the Bonn N8C ensures consistent timing accuracy. For those wanting to go the extra mile, there’s a BNC input for 25MHZ master clocks and a manuel toggle to switch between internal and external clock sources for high-end timing precision. A medical-grade power supply design provides stable power delivery, isolating electrical noise from the network. Silent Angel provides the option to upgrade the power input with a dedicated power supply. Advanced isolation circuit design enhances data integrity and suppresses noise-induced errors.
Listening to the digital highway
We kick off our listening session with Mi Corzazón from Jacob Collier with Camilo, a very open and frivolous track. The playful character is further emphasized by the Silent Angel Bonn N8C. The soundstage opened up more which resulted in a more precise layering of the voices. This was very noticable when voices doubled and trippled, suddenly there was more separation and air. The nature of the presentation became more refined, somewhat softer and calmer. The singers seem more at ease.
Allison Russell is up next. Montreal is a track from her album Outside child. Here too, the increased tranquility is immediately noticeable. Every sense of urgency has given way to a more relaxed vibe. Her voice comes out more fluidly. Quieter passages really do sound quiet too. The lowered noise floor provides a pitch-black background. It seems like the musical message of Allison is comes across stronger, more persuasive. There’s just more soul in the music.
Our last pop track comes from Tate McRae: You broke me first. Let’s cranck up the tempo a bit. The bass is more dynamic and with the Bonn N8C low frequencies get more punch and kick. Her voice hangs beautifully in the space, with increased air. The song is actually about suffering in love, the message hits home painfully well. You are taken along on the waves of the music and it’s content. Be warned that you could shed a tear because she sings with more feeling and emotion.
Let’s change direction and move to the jazz corner. Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins and Max Roach jam away with St. Thomas. The vibe of the track is just incredible. It’s more engaging than ever. The musicians seem more eager to play and play with more gusto. You spontaneously start tapping your feet. Every individual instrument (drums, saxophone, piano, bass, …) is more noticeable, while together they still form a coherent whole. When the saxophone kicks in or the drums take center stage, it does so in a powerful, dynamic way.
Impressed by the previous jazz track, i’m hungry for more. Charles Mingus is next. Do you know the track Fables of Faubus? Look it up and give it try. You won’t regret it. Mingus Ah Um is a fantastic album. Although Charles Mingus played the double bass and piano, this track is mainly about trompets and saxophones. With the help of the Silent Angel Bonn N8C the song gets more character. You can almost smell the cigar smoke and whiskey. Close your eyes and you are in that small local jazz club enjoying a beautiful musical evening. The musicians play with more drive and conviction. Each individual instrument shines a little more.
Let’s end with a bang ! Moving to the sound of a full blown classical orchestra: the Dallas Wind Symphony. Classical music it is. Rocky Point Holiday is a very dynamic track with a number of peaks. What’s in a name? The name of the orchestra refers to the fact that wind instruments play the lead violin. The Bonn N8C turns this track to a very energetic one. It also makes the orchestra sound bigger and adds more credibility this way. The size of the orchestra and the presented dynamics are now better matched. There’s also more space between the different members of the orchestra, which increases the musical insight.
Back panel
- 8 x 8Gb Ethernet ports
- 8 green LED indicating Ethernet port operations
- Clock input on/off switch
- Clock input
- 12V DC power input
- Power LED
Technical specifications
- Available colors: black, silver
- Ehternet ports: 8Gb Ethernet ports
- Clock input option: 25MHz
- Power input: (DC) 12V/1A, 1.2Watt (5.5mm x2.5mm connector)
- Temperature: 0° – 30°C (operating), -20° – 70°C (storage)
- Humidity: 10% – 90% (operating, non-condensing), 5% – 95% (storage, non-condensing)
- Dimensions: 200mm x 62mm x 200mm (W x H X D)
- Weight: 3.6Kg (gross), 2.8Kg (net)
- Certificate: CE, FCC
Software list
- Mi Corzazón – Jacob Collier, Camilo – Djesse Vol. 4
- Montreal – Allison Russell – Outside Child
- You broke me first – Tate McRae – You broke me first
- St. Thomas – Sonny Rollins, Toomy Flanagan, Doug Watkins, Max Roach – Saxophone Colossus
- Fables of Faubus – Charles Mingus – Mingus Ag Um
- Rock Point Holiday – Dallas Wind Symphony – Sampler
Hardware list
- Lyngdorf Audio MP-60 AV Processor
- Purifi Audio EVAL5 mono 1ET9040BA Deluxe amplifiers (L, R)
- Lyngdorf Audio MXA-8400 8-channel power amplifier (woofer L, woofer R, L surround, R surround, L back surround, R back surround)
- Lyngdorf Audio SDA-2400 2-channel power amplifier (L front height channel, L back height channel)
- Lyngdorf Audio SDA-2400 2-channel power amplifier (R front height channel, R back height channel)
- R_volution PlayerPro 8K Signature Edition
- Silent Angel Bonn N8C network switch
- Roon Server for bitperfect Tidal streaming
- Lyngdorf Audio Cue-100 speakers (L, R)
- Lyngdorf Audio BW-20 passive boundary woofers (L, R)
- Lyngdorf Audio FR-1 speakers (L surround, R surround, L back surround, R back surround)
- Lyngdorf Audio MH-2 speakers (L front height channel, R front height channel, L back height channel, R back height channel)
- Oehlbach Powerstation 909 multiple socket strip (2 pcs)
- Oehlbach High End Power Cable 4m (2 pcs to feed Powerstations 909)
- Oehlbach High End 8K – Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable (2 pcs)
- Formovie Theater Premium Utra Short Throw 4K Triple Color Laser TV
- Vovox Excelsus XLR cables
- Vovox Sonorus XLR cables
- Vovox Excelsus speaker cables 5 (L, R, woofer L, woofer R)
- Devine Neutrik SpeakON 2 x 2.5mm speaker cables
- Vovox Excelsus power cables
SILENT ANGEL BONN N8C
€1.499The new Silent Angel mid tier Bonn N8C network switch is a real no brainer. With an asking price of 1.499 EUR it offers an exceptional price/performance ratio. Most important: the result is instantly audible when you introduce this network switch into your system. A few core qualities this piece of gear will introduce to the performance of your system: more ease, increased dynamics, pitch-black background due to lower noise and more soul to the music. Don’t let the deviant form factor or more cable clutter discourage you when tapping into the Silent Angel network streaming ecosystem. Be warned: you’ll get hooked in no time and will be encouraged to explore their addictive upgrade possibilities. (*) For people wondering why most of our reviewed products receive such high scores and get the “Best of high end AWARD”!? We pre-select gear we review to offer you products that represent solid investments and great overall performance.
Pros
- More ease
- Improved dynamics
- Silent background
- Adds soul to the music
- Instant audible result
- Design and build quality
Cons
- Form factor
- Cable clutter
- Addictive ecosystem
