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Stepping into streaming, finally

As the title states finally I have gotten into streaming realm. Wanted ethernet streamer connectivity and started with Wiim feeding Denafrips Venus II 12th then into Pathos Inpol Remix and finally to Sonus Faber Venere. Well, I was not thrilled with the sound quality not to mention lack of cooperation from Wiim with pure ethernet path. Tried Bluesound Node, small steps. No dice with Node either. Came across EarMen Stacatto with exclusive ethernet connectivity and no DAC built in, exactly what I needed, very few reviews but took a chance. Well, all the boxes of my needs checked, with sound quality matching CDs, transported by Jay's Audio CDT2 MK3. I think that says a lot. Very satisfied, expectations exceeded.

knock1
knock1 OP
193 posts
 

Well, I have devoted today to ABC comparison in a serious way, I think.

Here is what I found. CDs outperforming Staccato after all, mostly in soundstage region. My original assessment must have been due to being greatly surprised by how much better Staccato fared while comparing it to Wiim and Node. The strangest thing was that Tidal took the last place despite choosing the highest streaming rate. MQA sounded even worse, but this probably due to Staccato not being MQA capable.

So, after all I am satisfied with this little, but quite hefty, streamer and it probably will better itself since I had it only for three days.

Thanks for tips and participation in this discussion.

romanesq
86 posts
 

Just an add on for those considering or using a fiber optic solution run between switches (Cisco here) to the WiiM Pro.

The Finisar FLTX1474D3BTL (10km 1310 Single Mode) SFP+ is a significant improvement with one added to either end of a three meter fiber optic connection.

So, here it’s Verizon fiber optic router with ethernet out to a Cisco Meraki MS220-8P 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch, one Finisar in the gigabyte port to another with fiber optic cable to another Finisar transceiver.

A very short (Blue Jeans) ethernet cable to the WiiM Pro (again run on a 5 volt LPS) and absolutely splendid results to tube monoblock amps.

Significant improvement for little cost: cascaded Cisco Merarki switches(unclaimed), Blue Jeans ethernet cables and Finisar SFPs. Great bang for the buck.

 

 

 

zlone
421 posts
 

@romanesq can you check that model number? I can’t find reference to a Finisar FLTX1474D3BTL, 1471 maybe?

romanesq
86 posts
 

My mistake, somehow I muffed the model number:

Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL 10km 1310nm Single Mode.

Have also heard very good about other similar Finisar models (typically used with 1GB limited switches) like this one: Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL 1310nm SFP Transceiver.

Thank you zione. Happy listening!

bondmanp
1,789 posts
 

@romanesq  So what's the difference between the Finisar you are using and something like this:

 

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-iso-plus-2#overview

For someone like me who is not tech savvy, the DX Engineering looks like an easier fix, although I see it's not optical.  IOW, what, besides the cabling, do you need to add to the Finisar?  How is it powered?  Does it need an enclosure, or you just run them naked?

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