Name: Gustard N18 Pro - Network switch
SKU: 24799
Price: 495 EUR
Availability: InStock

Description

A network switch designed for high-fidelity audio

The Gustard N18 PRO is designed for users who want to take their audiophile system to the next level of digital purity. It is not a conventional switch: it integrates specific functions and components to reduce noise, eliminate interference and improve Ethernet signal quality in demanding audio chains.

⚙️ Architecture and design

Five RJ45 ports (10/100/1000Base-T) + 1 optical fibre SFP port (1000Base-X) for galvanic isolation. muzix.eu
BNC connector for external clock 10 MHz → high-precision synchronisation and enhancement of the background sound. aoshida-audio.com+1
Linear power supply (toroidal transformer) and high-quality filtering to minimise power supply noise and jitter. audiophoria.eu+1
Machined aluminium chassis, robust construction designed for the demanding hi-fi environment. iiWi reviews

Network functionality and connectivity

Compatible with high-quality cables, it allows separate audio networks to be integrated (for example, router → N18 PRO → streamer/DAC) to isolate the system from the home network.
Option of fibre cabling via the SFP port to eliminate electrical interference from the general network.
Ready to accept an external 10 MHz clock, which allows it to be synchronised with reference systems and further enhances the sound experience.
In tests, it has been reported to improve clarity, reduce background noise and better define the soundstage when compared to standard switches. iiWi reviews

🎧 Sound impact and character

Although it is not a sound component in its own right (it does not convert digital to analogue), its influence on the transport network is palpable in high-resolution systems:

It favours a darker, quieter background, allowing the details to be perceived more clearly. iiWi reviews
Improve the instrument placement accuracy, separation, and overall dynamics.
Depending on the system, it can provide a slightly cooler tone due to the greater clarity; it is important that the rest of the system has a natural feel to balance it. iiWi reviews

📊 Key specifications

Ports: 5 × RJ45 Ethernet 10/100/1000 + 1 × optical SFP. muzix.eu+1
10 MHz BNC input (external master clock) with 50 Ω impedance. muzix.eu+1
Operating voltage: AC 115/230 V 50/60 Hz. muzix.eu
Approximate dimensions: 220 × 170 × 50 mm (according to manual) Manuals+
Low power consumption, low-noise hi-fi construction.

🏁 Conclusion

The Gustard N18 PRO is a specialist solution for those who have reached a level of detail in their system where every network component matters. If you already have a reference DAC, a high-end transport, or are looking to isolate your digital chain from the rest of your home network, this switch is ideal.

✅ Improve network streaming quality in high-resolution systems
✅ It brings less background noise and improves the soundscape
✅ Supports fibre optic cable and 10 MHz external clock
⚠️ Requires the rest of the chain to be at a level to fully notice its effect

In short: the Gustard N18 PRO is the link that completes a high-end digital chain, taking the simple Ethernet network connection to a critical component of sonic perfection.

Additional information

Colour	Black, Silver

Brand

Gustard

Gustard it is a manufacturer specialising in high-fidelity digital electronics that has successfully combined classical engineering with modern execution.

Their designs focus on understated architecture, oversized power supplies and carefully crafted analogue stages, always prioritising real sonic performance over simplified solutions or passing fads. Along the same lines, Gustard has successfully adapted this philosophy to the modern context, integrating network and streaming functions directly into some of their models, without turning them into a mere secondary add-on. The result is equipment capable of functioning as Pure DAC or as an all-in-one solution, compatible with platforms such as Roon or Audirvana, which reduce system complexity without compromising quality or sound character. https://youtu.be/kYfe3W3ZrFI The company has earned a solid reputation among demanding enthusiasts for offering honest, technically ambitious products with a value-for-money ratio that is hard to match in high-end digital audio.