Issued by HiVi Japan (By Reiji Asakura)
From the MIC Audio—a distributor of audio products across Hong Kong and all of China—comes the UNio brand's "Poki" network switch and the "OF1" and "OF10" SFP transceiver + fiber-optic cable sets. These products have reportedly been commercialized as the culmination of over 15 years of research and development.
The Poki boasts a wide array of features, including high-speed 2.5Gbps transmission, an RJ45 isolation port designed to minimize interference via shielding (named the "ZEN ZONE," deriving its name from the serenity of Zen), and a carbon-fiber shield that reduces electromagnetic interference. The SFP fiber-optic cables are pre-combined packages of existing SFP modules and fiber-optic cables. For both models, numerous candidates were tested for performance and compatibility, with the best combinations selected purely from a sound-quality perspective. Two options are available: the 1.25Gbps-compatible "OF1" and the 10Gbps-compatible "OF10."
A Hub That Richly Paints Source Characteristics and SFP Cables That Elevate Expressive Power
Let us begin the audition, using Qobuz as the music source. The network transport used is the Dela N1A/3, feeding into the Denon DCD-SX1 LIMITED via USB input. First, I evaluate the Poki switching hub. On "Cheek to Cheek" by Mie Joke, the sound is rich and remarkably supple. The vocals flow naturally from a soundstage that is precisely localized dead center. One might describe it as the beauty of a natural, subtle touch of makeup. Breaking it down further, the first quality is its "comfort." The contours are natural, offering an edge definition that feels just like the warmth of human skin. The second is the "clarity of openness." The sense of range has a high ceiling, delivering a crisp, transparent feel. The third is the "fineness of the sonic particles." Beyond their small size, they are arranged orderly and with high density. This hub delivers a sound that is honest, high-quality, and beautifully unrefined.
Ravel’s "Alborada del gracioso" (conducted by Daniel Barenboim with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra) is also packed with musical information. The opening string pizzicato is alluring, and the soundstage fills with a colorful tonal palette. The expressions within the musical progression are dense, and the atmosphere feels warm. I hear this as a hub that richly reproduces the musical characteristics inherent to the source.
Next, let’s test the SFP fiber-optic cable on "Cheek to Cheek."
I place a Buffalo BS-GS2016/A hub upstream of the Poki and connect them using the 1.25Gbps-compatible "OF1." This sets up what is known as an optical isolation state. Compared to the editorial department’s permanently installed SFP module + fiber-optic cable used for reference, the upgrade in quality is clear:
While the standard cable did offer a noticeable optical isolation effect, this cable firmly solidifies that benefit. To put it accurately: beyond mere quality metrics, the expressive power regarding musicality has been elevated.
Conclusion: Expressive Network Devices for Savoring Rich Musicality
While these products offer an abundance of information, both the hub and the SFP fiber-optic cables excel most at reproducing emotional resonance. Rather than a purely hi-fi-oriented approach that ruthlessly chases down every last shred of information, I highly recommend these as expressive network devices for those who wish to fully savor a rich sense of musicality.
