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

[audiobomber]

@audiobomber
That's the very problem, which I wanted to say before, all the reports of optical improvements over ethernet seem to be with low level gear (if you can call a $500-1000 switch low level, absurd of course). I rarely see the high end switch setups using optical, among those who could afford any setup.

I can assure you there's nothing "low end" about an opticalModule Deluxe v2 and EtherRegen, both with Pardo power supplies, Ghent Audio Starquad DC cables and Finisar modules. I have compared these vs. significantly more expensive switches from LHY and Silent Angel, in my system for an extended listen, and preferred my gear.

Optical is becoming standard with newer gear, high and mid priced.

 

[OCC7N]

https://msbtechnology.com/cascade/

HiFi will never be the same when you understand the sound of it: The Cascade

 

[agisthos]

I can assure you there's nothing "low end" about an opticalModule Deluxe v2 and EtherRegen, both with Pardo power supplies, Ghent Audio Starquad DC cables and Finisar modules. I have compared these vs. significantly more expensive switches from LHY and Silent Angel, in my system for an extended listen, and preferred my gear.

Optical is becoming standard with newer gear, high and mid priced.

LHY have the product called the FMC which I have considered. Same casing/design as their switches, and seems to be a perfect match for the SW-6 fibre output. It has an LPS and an OCXO clock already, like the SW-6.

 

[Tubewin]

LHY have the product called the FMC which I have considered. Same casing/design as their switches, and seems to be a perfect match for the SW-6 fibre output. It has an LPS and an OCXO clock already, like the SW-6.

LHY's fiber media converter works really well. I sold my SW-10 but kept my lhy fmc to connect to the etherregen through fiber.



On another note, looks like jcat just released a upgraded version of the jcat xe card, the EVO. Very interested in the new card, since I am a huge fan of the original XE.

 

[TheR0v3r]

Addendum
Today I tried replacing the CAT6 cable connecting router to switch with an additional Furutech LAN-8.

Previously:
Router -> Inakustik Premium CAT6 -> Switch -> Furutech LAN-8 -> iMac -> USB

Test:
Router -> Furutech LAN-8 -> Switch -> Furutech LAN-8 -> iMac -> USB

I couldn’t hear any improvement at all, so I’m back to using the cheaper CAT6 cable between router and switch. Actually I was feeling the music being slightly less ”lively” with the Furutech between router and switch but that could’ve just been my imagination… Surprised by the result.

P.S. The switch I’m using is a Netgear GS105E powered by an Apple 12w charger connected with a Ghent Audio Canare 4S6 USB.

Just a short update, my setup has changed but still enjoying the Furutech LAN-8. Havent’t been able to beat it despite trying.

 

[kingoftown1]

@TheR0v3r what other cables have you tried? I'm also happy with my Lan-8 NCF, but have been thinking of possible alternatives like Pink Faun, the new Shunyata Theta, Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX, or even adding some QSA lan-jitter adapters onto the Furutech...

 

[TheR0v3r]

@TheR0v3r what other cables have you tried? I'm also happy with my Lan-8 NCF, but have been thinking of possible alternatives like Pink Faun, the new Shunyata Theta, Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX, or even adding some QSA lan-jitter adapters onto the Furutech...

I take notes when evaluating gear so the cables are: Belden Catsnake, Shunyata Delta, Shunyata Alpha, Shunyata Sigma and Supra CAT8. At this point I only look at opportunities around the reduction of noise when it comes to anything Ethernet.

 

[phoneslave86]

For me sablon 2020 is my favorite for sensitive streamer. Bit more detail and precision than the others and most neutral.

LAN NCF beats stock Supra cat 8 carries less noise. Must say Supra carries quite a bit of noise but are good choice on a budget I have more confidence in them than cheapos, Supra cat 8 with a lan silencer is better than stock Supra. I have 4 Supra with lan silencers I don’t mind them like that for the back end. It is less for a Supra and silencer than lan ncf.

LAN ncf nice flexibility and quality feel to the cable by far is the best of these in this way. Don’t like Supra flexibility or putting pressure on connections, I like connections to lay naturally and with ease both Supra and sablon aren’t easy to do that in short lengths, the ncf is a breeze to use by comparison. Sablon is terribly stiff I will not buy another one because of this. Will hopefully find something with the detail of sablon and flexibility of ncf next that doesn’t cost more than $400 used or new if I must get another Ethernet cable

I am hoping at some point to upgrade my streamer to afterdark Rosanna diretta Mkii. This will link with afterdark NETone FMC and use afterdark 100 ohm DAC cable sounds like it will beat any Ethernet cable out there for about $500 fits right into FMC modules, it is a copper cable. Even smoother in potential than active optical or Ethernet which are both susceptible and unideal cables related to passing the flow in a perfectly smooth fashion between audio equipment imo this 100 ohm cable is maybe the ultimate for audio!

 

[TRHH]

This will link with afterdark NETone FMC and use afterdark 100 ohm DAC cable sounds like it will beat any Ethernet cable out there for about $500 fits right into FMC modules, it is a copper cable.

Go for the best: Amphenol SFP+ 10GbE direct attach passive copper cable (DAC)

 

[OCC7N]

Go for the best: Amphenol SFP+ 10GbE direct attach passive copper cable (DAC)

Exactly! Never less than 10Gbps on all devices

 

[TRHH]

Exactly! Never less than 10Gbps on all devices

Wrong, no need for that. This 10Gbps DAC works just fine in 1Gbps FMC and switch.

 

[OCC7N]

Wrong, no need for that. This 10Gbps DAC works just fine in 1Gbps FMC and switch.

Awesome then…testing 40Gbps next month

 

[TRHH]

Awesome then…testing 40Gbps next month

Do that, but it won't work

 

[OCC7N]

Do that, but it won't work

ok .. protocols

Not just a plug and play experience. Optimisation on 3 layers. Network is the whole of my system

 

[OCC7N]

also a terrible idea to buy a 10Gbps DAC module if you have not manually forced the negotiation speed to 1Gbps on both ends/units.

They are made to run at those speeds for a reason/native. I hope it works for you, without connectivity issues in the long run….

Imagine both ends continously telling the SFP+(10G/1G) which speed(1Gbps) to run at… bad practice also if the ports are not SFP+ compatibility