The Ethernet cables, Switches and Network related sound thread. Share your listening experience only.

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Just an update on this POST. My USB over FO setup has arriived.

• AfterDark Nocturnes USB Conditioning Over Fiber Optics with built in Giesemann Queen OCXO clock.
• Plixir's BDC Elite MKII LPS.
• Amphenol DAC cable

Comment upon opening: IT'S BIG! Now kind of having second thoughts if I should have gotten the Phoenix USB instead.

Chain is: PC (Roon + HQP) -> LH Labs USB cable -> AD Nocturnes w/ Amphenol DAC Cable + Plixir BDC Elite MkII -> Supra Excalibur USB -> Singxer SU-6 -> Supra AES cable -> DAC

Inital Impression (first hour): With this combiinatiion think it uplifted almost all aspests of the sound that I was having before. No edgyness, more definition and transparent. More fluid, natural (yeah overly used).

Hicups: When plugged in to my DAC, my PC could not recognize it. With Singxer Su-6 it can.

Additional: Will try to add an LH Labs Revive USB reclock/isolator next right after PC.

Pics or it did not happen:

Update: Placed the LH Labs Revive (USB Reclock/Regen) before the AD Nocturnes. It worked! LHL Revive's bit of warmth gave my system a bit of analog push.

We'll see after two weeks (aroound 200hrs).

 

[Jake2]

Just an update on this POST. My USB over FO setup has arriived.

• AfterDark Nocturnes USB Conditioning Over Fiber Optics with built in Giesemann Queen OCXO clock.
• Plixir's BDC Elite MKII LPS.
• Amphenol DAC cable

Comment upon opening: IT'S BIG! Now kind of having second thoughts if I should have gotten the Phoenix USB instead.

Chain is: PC (Roon + HQP) -> LH Labs USB cable -> AD Nocturnes w/ Amphenol DAC Cable + Plixir BDC Elite MkII -> Supra Excalibur USB -> Singxer SU-6 -> Supra AES cable -> DAC

Inital Impression (first hour): With this combiinatiion think it uplifted almost all aspests of the sound that I was having before. No edgyness, more definition and transparent. More fluid, natural (yeah overly used).

Hicups: When plugged in to my DAC, my PC could not recognize it. With Singxer Su-6 it can.

Additional: Will try to add an LH Labs Revive USB reclock/isolator next right after PC.

Pics or it did not happen:

Update: Placed the LH Labs Revive (USB Reclock/Regen) before the AD Nocturnes. It worked! LHL Revive's bit of warmth gave my system a bit of analog push.

We'll see after two weeks (aroound 200hrs).

Cheers for the initial impressions Mickey.

I can relate to your reaction to the physical size, I thought the same with the Rosanna and Netone vs my much more svelte LHYs that are, I’d guess, each a quarter of the volume. The Rosanna is mostly air inside. Clearly he uses a standard enclosure size for a range of products.

All that of course can be forgiven if it sounds good. Interesting that you’re using the Amphenol DAC cable, have you tried it vis Finisar or Cisco AOCs or SFPs? Interesting too that upstream USB regen/reclocking is audible. I’d be interested to hear if that holds true if you use optical. I’m not sceptical of this btw, changes upstream of my two AD switches with a Cisco AOC between are all too audible. Wish it weren’t so, as would save me some dosh and effort.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Thanks @Jake2!

Sort of settled in a bit now. Maybe it was just an initial hiccup, but now the AD Nocturnes connects directly to my DAC. But still I like the LH Labs Revive (Analog warmth) + AD Nocturnes (Definition, Separation, Timbre, Naturalness) + Singxer SU-6 (No edginess) Combo.

Its not that the AD Nocturnes is edgy. Only that SU-6 gives an additional liquidity to the sound (using AES as output).

The chain is getting to be one large spaghetti. But I like the "sound" of it. The music makes it more addictive to listen to.

I have a Finisar SFP Module and it does not come near the Amphenol DAC cable. The AD Nocturnes comes with the Cisco AOC. Haven't tried them yet.

 

[Jake2]

Came across this guy on Aliexpress. Look like a pretty interesting option for someone in the market for a step up limited ethernet port switch/FMC that doesn’t break the bank. Especially if you have a spare 5V PS. Choice of internal OCXO or ext 10Mhz. Very much playing in the LHY FMC space, with the obvious difference the LHY has a built in LPS and is internal OCXO only.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007557892774.html

 

[drspeter]

Came across this guy on Aliexpress. Look like a pretty interesting option for someone in the market for a step up limited ethernet port switch/FMC that doesn’t break the bank. Especially if you have a spare 5V PS. Choice of internal OCXO or ext 10Mhz. Very much playing in the LHY FMC space, with the obvious difference the LHY has a built in LPS and is internal OCXO only.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007557892774.html

I was considering IFI Lan ipurifier pro or gustard N18 pro (+with cheap FMC) as an option for galvanic isolation of network setting but this looks like a budget option! Wonder if anyone has already tried this.

 

[audiobomber]

I was considering IFI Lan ipurifier pro or gustard N18 pro (+with cheap FMC) as an option for galvanic isolation of network setting but this looks like a budget option! Wonder if anyone has already tried this.

That seems redundant. The iPP converts copper to fiber and back again. Why would you want to do it twice? If I had the N18, I would not buy an iPP. I would use that money for a generic FMC and upgrade the wall wart with a better power supply, or else buy an audiophile quality FMC.

 

[drspeter]

That seems redundant. The iiP converts copper to fiber and back again. Why would you want to do it twice? If I had the N18, I would not buy an iiP. I would use that money for a generic FMC and upgrade the wall wart with a better power supply, or else buy an audiophile quality FMC.

I dont have any of those yet so want to choose one option for FMC. If I understand correctly those three options would provide the similar function but the price (and maybe performance) difference would be.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

FMC has more impact than an IFI Lan Ipurifier. In my system a generic FMC (generic FMC + LPS, about $200 total) gave around sa 10% SQ uplift. While the Lan purifier only around 2-3%.

 

[drspeter]

FMC has more impact than an IFI Lan Ipurifier. In my system a generic FMC (generic FMC + LPS, about $200 total) gave around sa 10% SQ uplift. While the Lan purifier only around 2-3%.

good to know! I was talking about their new product, ipurifier pro which is essentially two FMCs in a box that provides the optical galvanic isolation as your FMC setting.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Problem w/ Ipurifier Pro is upgradeability. It's upside is only convenience. With a generic FMC+LPS, one can upgrade later its "clean" side to say: Sonore Optical Deluxe or Gustard N18/Pro or any LHY. And later the "dirty" side..etc

 

[drspeter]

Problem w/ Ipurifier Pro is upgradeability. It's only upside is only convenience. With a generic FMC+LPS, one can upgrade later its "clean" side to say: Sonore Optical Deluxe or Gustard N18/Pro or any LHY. And later the "dirty" side..etc

that's a solid point. Another thing that ipurifier pro lacks compared to the FMC (Jake2's suggestion) and Gustard N18 is the external OXCO input.
I wonder if Gustard N18 is a real upgrade from generic FMC, and if then, is it significant that justifies the premium price tag several times expensive than the other options.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

SInce you have a Gustard U18, Aune XC1 and RPI4.
If its me, I will:
First phase (lan, before streamer):
Basic FMC setp (2 x 10Gtek FMC + 2 x Jameco Reliapro 5v 1A + Amphenol DAC Cable) around $140
Second Phase (usb after streamer to U18):
LHY Audio UIP w/ option clock input from XC1
3rd Phase
Change "clean" side FMC to Gustard N18 Pro or LHY FMC w/ option for clock from XC1

 

[drspeter]

SInce you have a Gustard U18, Aune XC1 and RPI4.
If its me, I will:
First phase (lan, before streamer):
Basic FMC setp (2 x 10Gtek FMC + 2 x Jameco Reliapro 5v 1A + Amphenol DAC Cable) around $140
Second Phase (usb after streamer to U18):
LHY Audio UIP w/ clock input from XC1
3rd Phase
Change "clean" side FMC to Gustard N18 Pro or LHY FMC w/ clock from XC1

I was not aware of this LHY Audio UIP product. Interesting. I will look into what it does and put it in my shortlist. Probably it can replace my U18 if it performs better.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

UIP can replace your U18 but it will complement better with it.

 

[drspeter]

that sounds better as it won't make my u18 redundant!