I have bought two of this cable ( LuminX1 and Lumin L2) with ´´ APC Optical Fiber edition ´´ Still waiting for the delivery
In replacement of ´´Melco C1-D20 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable ´´
Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!
I just received this item that I purchased from Stack Audio after being impressed with the AUVA 100 Speaker footers.
For any of the Audio Streamers out there, my initial comment as to this item: The SmoothLAN Network Filter is WOW!
From first plug in, the soundstage deepened and widened immensely. How the heck this occurs is nothing short of amazing. I have tried many of the major brand ethernet filters, and some of them, maybe, did something. But not enough to keep them. I either sent them back or sold them. I did however keep an iFi Silencer unit.
My digital streaming consists of an EtherRegen sending out the signal via Fiber to my Lumin X1. I have the Stack Audio device going into the EtherRegen from the Modem.
And, since I have my Apple TV coming out of the EtherRegen it will be interesting to see if the Video improves.
Check out the review in EAR.
Stack Audio Smooth-LAN For Clean Streaming | The Ear (the-ear.net)
ozzy
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Thanks @greg_f . I am using the Finisar 1318 you suggested. I tried bypassing my Cisco Catalyst 2960 with a cheap Mokertek FMC I had lying around, and the Finisar modules work (including one in the Lumin U2)! This confirms that the compatibility issue was with the Cisco switch. I find the sound quality to be just a touch more 'full', particularly in the low bass region, with the Finisar modules. It's a subtle difference, but for the cost, worthwhile IMHO. With that in mind, I'm wondering what people are recommending for FMCs with good SQ? @ozzy @audphile1 @tksteingraber @maxwave (and others) care to chime in? Best, JAMES. |
@jimboman Perhaps an Etherregen or an Sonore optical Module? How are you connected to the Cisco 2960? What is your network structure? |
@jimboman Can’t help here. I use generic FMC/SFP’s with an LPS. I tried TP Link and couldn’t hear a difference and was happy with the sound improvement when I added the LPS so left it there and focused on filtering after the optical. I would also be interested if upgraded FMC/SFP’s impact SQ. |
Thanks for the quick replies. Much appreciated. @greg_f I'm on Bell Fibe 500Mbps, then using a cheap TP-Link router to split the ethernet signal - one trunk going into the SmoothLAN, then into the Cisco 2960, then out via fiber port to Lumin (effectively using the Cisco as a FMC) - and the other trunk feeds a newer Cisco switch that has all my 'dirty' computer network on it (wifi, LAN, etc). Now that I might stick with a dedicated FMC instead of the Cisco 2960, I would probably use the 2960 to replace the cheap TP-Link switch. I wondered about the Sonore FMC, although it's hard to tell exactly what separates it from a generic FMC. Guess the usual audiophile caveat applies -- gotta try it to find out! @tksteingraber Thanks for the perspective. What LPS are you using? The experiment continues! Best, JAMES. |
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