Hi, please remind me the correct way to connect network cables to the CX. One of the ethernet sockets is red, is that the one that should be connected to the EX or the external network?
Red is Network.
If you have the rear of your Antipodes facing towards you, the network port is on the left, direct ethernet port on the right.
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Is it the same for the CX with both ethernetports not marked red? Mine has two identical looking ports.
Yes, same
If you have the rear of your Antipodes facing towards you, the network port is on the left, direct ethernet port on the right.
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@MarkCole
If using a high quality network switch that has two RJ45 outputs and I want to connect one to the RJ45 on the CX and the other to the RJ45 on the EX do I use the network ports or direct ethernet ports?
Thank you
When using a CX + EX combo, only the CX is connected to the switch, the EX is connected to the Direct Ethernet connection on the CX to the network port on the EX
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I’m not linking the CX to the EX by ethernet I am connecting each one to a high quality switch instead.
So do I connect to the direct port on each?
Thanks
There is no point in doing that, however, if you wish to do so both units need to be connected to the switch via Network input
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Direct Stream Port
- This is a dedicated Ethernet output designed for a low-noise, direct connection to a player or DAC.
- It bypasses unnecessary network traffic and processing by isolating the player from the main network.
- Typically used when connecting an Antipodes CX (server) directly to an Antipodes EX (player) or another network-enabled DAC (like a Lumin, dCS, or Roon-Ready device).
- Benefits:
- Lower network noise (less interference from other devices on the LAN).
- Better clock synchronization, reducing jitter.
- Simplified signal path, improving sound quality.
Network Output Port
- This is a standard Ethernet LAN connection that allows the streamer to communicate with other devices on the home network.
Always use your best Ethernet cable going to the player.
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Direct Port on both the CX and EX when used to connect to each Lan output on high quality switch gives access to both the CX and EX Dashboard. So in accessing the network the Direct port is no different to the Network Port. It is why I asked the question originally as to which Port would give better results as in a cleaner signal.
It seems the two Lan ports Direct and Ethernet on both CX and EX are both the same as they allow access to the network.
Mark can you confirm if there are any differences on the Direct Port and Ethernet port?
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Usually on mobos, the dual rj45-port are two of the same. But Antipodes labeled them as different. Some isolation could be beneficial.
What is your switch? Maybe a well powered and good quality switch brings in some benefits.
Did you listen to both ports, do they sound the same? In my experience there is an audible difference when player and server are connected to a switch or interconncted. The ethernet cable e.g. shielding, length, shield grounding, can also play a role in perceived sq. Try reversing and swapping them if different. Good luck! Let us know please.
The Network and Direct Stream ethernet ports use separate and different chipsets.
The network port is orientated to noise reduction, the Direct Stream port is orientated to media streaming performance.
This is why they are labeled, the difference is subtle but there for a reason.
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Hi Mark, Clear on having output from my cx server to ex player via direct port port #2. Any benefit of having this cx server output then to ex player’s direct port #2 instead of current ex’s network port #1 however subtle or direct port #2 is for primarily for streaming output only as with cx server’s and not input i.e. to ex player ? Do not believe this is covered in the user manual shown and hence seeking yr advice at least w.r.t. design and theory. Cheers.
PS: using usb output to Denafrips T+ DE dac without ethernet input
As the manual does not state to use Network 1 over Network 2 and vise versa in any configuration I see them as two identical Network ports.
??? You read what was nicely shared and recommended by Mark who lead Antipodes in design, development, production, marketing, sales and aftersales … lol !
Just what it says in the manual. I’m not doubting Marks statement so whats the problem?
I’ve tried it on my CX, and it clearly sounds better with the right port connected (when looking at the CX from behind). The other way around, it sounds thin, strident, and tiring.