The Ultimate Network Switch for Audiophile Streaming.
Designed and developed from square one.
Fine-tuned by ear. Obsessively.
XACT N1 is a dedicated network switch designed exclusively for high-end audio playback. The N1 represents a new standard in network performance.
Highlights:
- Natural, Organic and Sophisticated Sound
- Immersive, Emotionally Resonating Experience
- High-Class Build Quality
- Developed From The Ground Up
Relentless pursuit of sonic perfection:
During the development of our music servers, the XACT S1 & S1 EVO, we intentionally refrained from using any external network switch to ensure its performance stood independently at the highest level. However, the influence of network configuration on sound quality is undeniable, and for those seeking to push the boundaries of digital playback, every element counts.
For these discerning listeners, we are proud to introduce the XACT N1 – a dedicated network switch designed exclusively for audio applications. The N1 represents a new benchmark in network performance.
Not just another switch. A completely new device:
Most so-called “audiophile-grade” network switches available today are based on standard, off-the-shelf motherboards intended for office or general IT use. Typically, these designs feature noisy, cost-optimized switching power converters that pollute the network with high-frequency noise, interfere with other hi-fi components, and ultimately degrade the sound, introducing an irritating “digital” character.
While some manufacturers attempt to mitigate these issues by upgrading the power supply sections of standard switch boards, this approach only treats the symptoms without addressing the root cause — the motherboard itself was never meant for high-end audio performance.
At XACT Audio, we knew that a truly reference-grade solution could not be built on compromised foundations. That’s why the XACT N1 is built around a 100% custom-designed motherboard, developed exclusively for one purpose: to deliver the purest, most natural sound over Ethernet for high-end audio systems.
The result is a network switch that not only elevates streaming quality but fundamentally redefines what is possible from networked digital audio.
100% linear power delivery. Truly everywhere.
It’s the first network switch for audio that puts such extreme emphasis on power integrity.
The custom motherboard inside the XACT N1 is built with ultra-low-noise linear regulators (LDOs) dedicated to each critical circuit. This design ensures that every component receives the cleanest possible power — but just as importantly, it prevents noise generated by one part of the system from contaminating the rest of the board.
Unlike typical switches, which rely on noisy switching converters or generic voltage rails shared across the entire PCB, the XACT N1 uses only linear power regulation throughout. Its dedicated internal power supply is 100% linear, with no switching components anywhere in the signal or power path.
This uncompromising power architecture delivers exceptional electrical performance, laying the foundation for the natural, fatigue-free sound that defines the XACT experience. In the world of audiophile networking, there is truly nothing else like it.