In today’s internet-reliant world of high-res streaming, smart homes, and network-heavy AV setups, one of the most important—yet often overlooked—pieces of gear is the humble network switch. Most people just plug in whatever their ISP gave them or grab the cheapest option off Amazon. But for serious audio and video enthusiasts, that could be a mistake. Cheap or poorly shielded switches can introduce noise, jitter, and data errors that may subtly degrade audio and video quality—especially in high-end systems where every link in the chain matters. SilentPower’s OMNI LAN Switch might be the secret sauce your AV setup needs—or just another pricey bottle of audiophile snake oil.
The Problem with Standard Network Switches
Most network switches are built for one thing: efficient data transfer. And while that’s fine for streaming Netflix or scrolling TikTok, it’s a different story when it comes to high-performance audio and video. These off-the-shelf switches weren’t designed with sonic precision or visual fidelity in mind—they prioritize speed and low cost over signal integrity.
The result? A subtle but significant performance bottleneck. Standard switches can introduce electrical noise, jitter, and interference into your network. These unwanted intrusions don’t just stay isolated—they travel down the same cables as your digital signal, degrading clock timing and polluting the very data your AV system relies on.
In high-end audio and video systems, timing is everything. Jitter and electrical noise can smear detail, flatten dynamics, and rob your music or movie of the precision it was meant to deliver. So while your gear might be top-tier, a noisy switch could be quietly holding it back.
The OMNI LAN
To address the shortcomings of traditional network switches, SilentPower, a subsidiary of iFi Audio, has added the OMNI LAN to its product line. This device is an optically isolated network switch designed to support the purest network-based AV experience.
The OMNI LAN tackles the shortcomings of traditional network switches by incorporating triple-stage isolation, femto-precision clocking, and real-time performance monitoring. These advanced features eliminate interference and restore precise timing right from the source, ensuring your system delivers the clarity and cohesion it was designed to produce.
The OMNI LAN is designed to safeguard your network system. With full remote control via the iFi Nexis app (iOS, Android), it can be monitored, updated, and trusted to perform from anywhere in your home.
Key Features
Internal Optical Fiber: This feature eliminates electrical noise by converting data signals into optical (light) signals, surpassing traditional galvanic isolation. The optical signals are then converted back to electrical signals when necessary, reducing interference and maintaining signal integrity.
Triple-Stage Isolation: Designed to deliver superior noise filtering, this feature enhances system clarity by isolating critical components from external electrical interference.
Real-Time Data Analytics: The built-in dashboard provides insights into incoming and outgoing port data speeds. Data analytics can be accessed and monitored via a smartphone for on-the-go updates.
Versatile Integration: The OMNI LAN offers 13 ports in total—4 ‘Ultra-Pure’ ports with three stages of isolation, including internal optical isolation, ideal for the most critical AV components. The 9 ‘Standard’ ports feature one stage of galvanic isolation, designed for less critical devices like routers, set-top boxes, NAS drives, and gaming consoles.
10MHz Clock Sync: This minimizes system jitter by utilizing internal femto-precision clocking, with optional sync in/out functionality to ensure precise timing across your AV setup.
Dynamic Data Dashboard: A high-quality, full-color TFT display provides real-time bandwidth data for each port. The display also allows users to monitor live traffic, adjust settings, and configure views for enhanced control and performance.
The OMNI LAN’s user interface offers more than just monitoring and updates. Clock sync input and output options can be controlled via the display and multi-function dial, with advanced grounding mode selection available to optimize noise reduction across various setups.
- DC-RF: Connects both the DC ground and the RF ground together
- RF: Grounds RF only, with no DC ground
- ISO: No DC or RF connection to ground
All dashboard settings are also accessible via the iFi Nexis app. Connecting through your smartphone lets you monitor traffic, manage grounding, adjust clock sync, and more, offering full control from the comfort of your listening chair, boardroom, or home cinema.
Firmware updates can also be completed seamlessly through the app, keeping your OMNI LAN current and fully optimized, without ever being removed from your system.
Rack Mounting for Professional Systems
The OMNI LAN can also be rack mounted using the OMNI Rack Mount Kit. The Rack Mount Kit is made from cold-rolled steel and optimised for ventilation. The kit supports single and dual device configurations, front or rear mounting, and supports a 24-port switch configuration when doubling up.
Specifications
| SilentPower Model | OMNI LAN |
| Product Type | Network Switch |
| Price | $799 |
| Standard Ports | 8x RJ45 1x Optical SFP 1x BNC Clock In |
| Ultra-Pure Ports | 2x RJ45 1x Optical SC 1x M12 |
| Bandwidth | 1000Mbps |
| Dimensions | 214 x 157 x 41mm 8.43 x 6.18 x 1.61 inches |
| Net Weight | 1.06 kg (2.4 lbs) |
| Optional Omni Rack Mount Kit | Optional Omni Rack Mount Kit |
| Price | $99 |
| Dimensions | 482 x 347.4 x 44.4 mm 18.98 x 13.68 x 1.75 -inches |
| Net Weight | 1.65kg (3.64 lbs) |
The Bottom Line
The SilentPower brand has proven to be quite successful for iFi, with its growing lineup of power accessories and noise reduction devices. However, before reaching for a device like the OMNI LAN, it’s important to check your current setup. Ensure that your cables are all matched—use the same CAT cable types across your wired (Ethernet/LAN) network—and verify that your ISP is providing sufficient speed. Don’t forget to make sure your router is delivering the speed you’re paying for.
If everything is in check and you feel the OMNI LAN could improve your system’s performance, it might just be worth a shot.
Pricing & Availability
The SilentPower OMNI LAN is available for $799 at Audio46 and silentpower.tech.
The Optional Rack Mount is available for $99 at silentpower.tech.
Related Reading
- iFi Announces LAN iPurifier Pro Under New SilentPower Brand
- iFi SilentPower Range Tackles Electrical Noise To Improve the Sound of Your HiFi
- Podcast: Network Amplifiers Are Going to Change Hi-Fi Forever
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