I've tried myriad streaming setups, present OpticalRendu, OpticalModule, OR powered by JCAT Optimo ATX, OM by Uptone JS2, AfterDark optical cable, Mundorf silver/gold DC cables, Finisar 1475 in both. Optimizing every single little thing in streaming well worth it. I've run OR without OM (generic FMC), lesser power supplies, lesser DC and optical cables and other Finisar FMC. Anyone of these upgrades results in greater resolving powers, transparency, taken together they add up to substantial upgrade.
Various switches I've tried have not provided upgrade in sound quality vs. my present gaming router powered by linear power supply with wifi disabled.
OM with Finisar 1475, another 1475 in Lumin would be nice start. The 1475 alone is quite an upgrade over lesser Finisar in realm of transparency, resolving capability. Some claim it too revealing, if that case you have issues elsewhere in streaming setup.
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SGC currently has sale pricing on the opticalModule.
You can also simply use this switch near your router and output the 40 feet of fiber.
I own both and currently only use the switch to run 45 ft. of fiber into my Signature Rendu SE Optical. I have not heard one sound better than the other. I do use LPS on all peripherals, including modem, router, switches and converters.
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Hey @mitch2
Thanks for the detailed reply. I happen to have the exact switch you linked to.
In your experience, are you saying that you didn’t notice an SQ improvement/difference in using the opticalModule vs running the Trendnet switch direct via fibre?
Best, JAMES
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@sns
Thanks for taking time to run through your setup/process. Valuable information!
I’m leaning toward the opticalModule as the FMC, plugged directly into my
Lumin U2. I do have a Stack Audio SmoothLAN, which I would experiment adding to the chain before the OM. Not sure if it would add to the SQ or be redundant with the OM..?
Best, JAMES
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Yes, same result with either the switch or opticleModule, especially when feeding the Signature Rendu SE Optical.
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Cleaning up LAN worthwhile, I use JCAT net xe, again powered by Uptone JS-2 with the Mundorf DC cable. Upgrading both LAN and optical conversion not redundant.
I should also add the Mundorf diy DC cables made a far larger difference than I was expecting, this compared to generic Uptone, diy Duelund tin plated copper, something along the lines of AC power cable changes.
Getting wifi off audio system LAN is another biggie, lot of noise injected with this. 1 gb net service and low latency, meaning gaming router, close by net provider servers all makes a difference. All in all every single little thing you can think of to make LAN quieter and faster is beneficial. Just have to find best chain to work in your individual circumstances.
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Hi @sns
Great information, many thanks.
I'm going to try running two optical 'moats', first one from the modem to a TrendNet 4-port switch w SFP going to my Cisco Catalyst 2960 via fibre//2 10Gtek SMCs.
The second one would be a Stack Audio SmoothLAN from the Cisco, feeding an FMC (perhaps the opticalModule?), and this would go via fibre cable to the Lumin, with two 1318 Finisar SMCs.
Then I could run my computer LAN by connecting a TP Link switch to the TrendNet (via RJ45), or from the Cisco.
* Would it be best to plug in the wifi into the TrendNet, even though it will be a hub that feeds the audio system LAN? Or should it be connected to the downstream computer LAN TP-Link switch?
Any advice/comments welcome.
Best, JAMES.
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Wifi downstream better.
The two switches you're running are weak link in your setup, optimizing your optical downstream from those noisy switches is somewhat futile. A single switch in your audio streaming setup preferable to running two, and that single switch could be upgraded via an audiophile switch, even one the less expensive ones would be an improvement. Router powered via LPS would also be an improvement.
Noise is loss of resolution in streaming audio, once its lost no amount of downstream upgrades will get it back. Start upgrades with first link in chain and work down.
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@sns "I should also add the Mundorf diy DC cables made a far larger difference than I was expecting"
I can second this observation. I tried both the Sonore DC4 and a Ghent GAC-4/1 star quad and didn't hear much difference over a cheap stock cable. However, when I used the Mundorf, I was extremely pleased with the improvement in speed and resolution with no downside to my ears. Always nice to have a significant improvement from a relatively cheap purchase.
I realize the thread is 4-5 months old now and I am not sure what the OP went with for a FMC, but I can wholeheartedly recommend the latest Opticalmodule from Sonore over the Etherregen. I was using the Etherregen with SFP optical in on one side and then an ethernet cable on the other side to my streaming DAC (Bricasti). I read in another forum that the OM deluxe was better than Etherregen. This is what my ears also told me as well. Surprisingly better.
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@sfpeloton Yeah, I was skeptical DC cables could make that much difference until the Mundorf. Thinking about upgrading to deluxe versions of both OpticalModule and OpticalRendu.
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Thanks for your comment, @sfpeloton
I meant to circle back to say I ended up purchasing the OpticalModule Deluxe with a SGC linear power supply. In testing it with the cheaper FMC, I would say the audible difference was marginal, but the overall quality seemed more refined. And, it seems that part of this hobby is checking off boxes: so even if it's not a dramatic improvement, you know you've got that area of your system covered with a quality piece.
I also took @sns advice, and added LPS to my router and have split my network into computer side and audio only.
Finally, I just acquired a Bricasti M3 to replace my Benchmark DAC3 -- and that is proving to be a meaningful upgrade. Really enjoying the music more now.
Best, JAMES.
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If you could explain how Ethernet protocol benefits from it? Conversion is performed hundreds of time when data travels to you - optical, electrical, satellite, etc. Makes no difference. There is no 'stream' from server to you.
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@jimboman Congrats on the Bricasti M3, that is what I also have and I like it a lot. As I mentioned previously, I run an ethernet cable directly from the OM into the Mdx network card on the M3. Is that how you are also using your OM? For me the OM sounded better than the Etherregen, but it seems like for your system/network, the results were less significant. Yes, checking the boxes seems to be what happens sometimes and at least now you know you have that part sorted.
Hope you enjoy your Bricasti!
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@sfpeloton
I’m loving the M3. It’s a significant improvement to my system. Very musical and articulate.
I run the OM via fibre direct into a Lumin U2, then to the Bricasti via Lumin’s dedicated USB port. My M3 doesn’t have the Ethernet option.
im looking forward to experimenting further with DSD upsampling, just to see how the M3 DSD sounds versus USB. Fun!
Best, JAMES
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Got it. Your OM is on the upstream side of the fiber whereas mine is on the downstream side and feeds directly into my DAC. That probably explains some of the differences we are observing. Your Lumin probably does a very good job of feeding a clean signal to the M3.
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@sfpeloton
Yes, the Lumin/Bricasti seems to be a lovely pairing. Really enjoying it.
Took a look at your system page - nice stuff! For DSD playback, did you have to set Roon to play DSD over DoP? I tried sending native DSD via upsampling on the Lumin, but the Bricasti wouldn't play it back. I'm thinking it's because my M3 doesn't have the MDx upgrade board in it (yet). Going to reach out to support to see if I can get it working.
Speaking of box-checking, curious about your experience with the Mundorf cable. That's from your LPS to the OM? Did you feel it improved the SQ? If so, can you describe the improvement? Thanks.
Best, JAMES.
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Hi @jimboman. Thanks for the kind words. I have an Audionet Amp heading to me to try replacing the Hegel, but it already sounds pretty great as is.
I am running Roon on a Sonicorbiter i9 optical server and going through fiber to the OM. I can upsample to NDSD and feed that without PCM conversion to the M3. I think native resolution vs DSD upsampling are pretty close in sound quality, but I have a preference for the slight sound improvement with the NDSD signal path on the M3. I know at least one other person here that prefers native with no upsampling so it is best to try it for yourself and decide. I do think bass is a little more prominent/full without upsampling, so it depends on whether that is something you prioritize.
Many times I have tried something in my system hoping for an improvement and end up disappointed by the change or lack of change. As for the Mundorf, I wasn't expecting too much from this cable. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a small but clearly noticeable improvement in ease (lower noise?), resolution and dynamics with this cable. Importantly, this is with the LPS and OM just ahead of my DAC so I think clean power here is critical. You may see less of an improvement given your network configuration where the Lumin is directly ahead of the M3.
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In testing it with the cheaper FMC, I would say the audible difference was marginal, but the overall quality seemed more refined.
@jimboman
A few years ago I added a switch with fiber and an EtherRegen+LPS and created the 'fiber bridge' from my noisy equipment closet (switch location) to my clean audio room (all equipment on dedicated AC line, no switching power supplies). I thought this offered a nice improvement (more detail, blacker background, etc.) for the $.
I then tried swapping the EtherRegen for a non audiophile ~$100 fiber converter and didn't really notice a difference, so sold the EtherRegen. I'm still using the cheaper converter today into my Bricasti M5 with great results. I don't know if the M5 plays a big part or not in making the fiber conversion not something I had to spend decent $ on.
What I do find interesting is I added an LPS to my Roon Server which is directly connected into my switch (dirty side of bridge) and it made a significant improvement to my ears. I wasn't expecting power/noise-reduction changes on the dirty side of the bridge to make a difference. That has me tempted to now try a LPS on my switch, not that I really want to buy another LPS :( Some folks may call this expectation bias but I already had a dual output LPS with an unused output and with no expectations for improvement, I really just think it sounds better for some reason...
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@jimboman
"I ended up purchasing the OpticalModule Deluxe with a SGC linear power supply. In testing it with the cheaper FMC, I would say the audible difference was marginal, but the overall quality seemed more refined. And, it seems that part of this hobby is checking off boxes: so even if it's not a dramatic improvement, you know you've got that area of your system covered with a quality piece."
My experience exactly.
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@sfpeloton
Thanks for the detailed response regarding your LPS adventures.
I've got a cheap 'n cheerful Topping LPS powering two switches: a TP Link for the computer network/wifi stuff, and a TrendNet switch for the audio side.
After experiment with a host of configurations for creating a fibre moat, I ended up using the fibre output from the TrendNet switch into the fibre on my old Cisco Catalyst 2960 switch. Then copper ethernet out from the Cisco (via a SmoothLAN which may be overkill) into the OM deluxe, which then sends fibre via 2 1318 Finisar SMCs. Phew!
Kind of a double moat, but it seems to sound the most musical and open of all the combos I tried. Not sure @sns would agree with my selection, but I bet he'd applaud my efforts, haha!
@mitch2 Sure is a crazy hobby, ain't it!
Best, JAMES.
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Also forgot to mention, don't have an LPS on the fibre modem...had issues with a previous modem that died after 6 months, with an LPS attached. I like my fibre internet, and don't wanna risk messing it up!
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@sns Would you have information about the Mundorf silver/gold DC cables? I see there are various gauges/types available. You DIY-ed the cables, correct?
I would be ordering from Parts Connexion in Canada.
Thanks,
JAMES.
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Hi @jimboman I recently added an iFi Lan Silencer Pro (LSP) which converts ethernet to fiber optic and then back to ethernet and it’s brought a significant improvement. I would say almost more than adding an audio-grade network switch. The only caveat is that you have to get a separate iFi iPower PS (preferably the iPower X) as the stock one that comes with the LSP is junk.
My chain: Asus Router - Ethernet cable to Lan Silencer Pro (converts to fiber optic) - Ethernet cable to Silent Angel Bonn N8 Switch - Ethernet cable to Streamer.
I’ve tried putting the LSP downstream after the Silent Angel Bonn Switch but it sounded too squeaky clean and lost a bit of musicality so preferred it upstream right before the network switch.
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I'd like to know what perceived SQ benefits were realized,
Optical moats drop the noise floors, but some have reported it takes some “life” from the music.
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“some have reported it takes some “life” from the music”
Not at all challenging what “some” hear, but I would like to understand how this is possible, if anyone has a plausible explanation.
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