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Full Version: "Audiophile Grade" Ethernet Switches - The new generation
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Hi all, I'm just waiting for someone to report that you hear different sound with different fiber optic!  Big Grin
But then I lose faith in the Hifi God, and then ... Rolleyes
(23-May-2019, 17:14)K4680 Wrote: [ -> ]Hi all, I'm just waiting for someone to report that you hear different sound with different fiber optic!  Big Grin
But then I lose faith in the Hifi God, and then ... Rolleyes

Love the cartoon! Actually, signal deterioration can occur with Fiber, so I would assume that it also would logically have an effect on the SQ, just as it does with something like the video quality of a 4k transmission. (artifacts, etc.) But I am wondering a bit off topic .... Blush
(25-May-2019, 08:09)baconbrain Wrote: [ -> ]
(23-May-2019, 17:14)K4680 Wrote: [ -> ]Hi all, I'm just waiting for someone to report that you hear different sound with different fiber optic!  Big Grin
But then I lose faith in the Hifi God, and then ... Rolleyes

Love the cartoon! Actually, signal deterioration can occur with Fiber, so I would assume that it also would logically have an effect on the SQ, just as it does with something like the video quality of a 4k transmission. (artifacts, etc.) But I am wondering a bit off topic ....  Blush

It's at least 20 years ago when I spent a day at Siemens in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. The topic of the day was Cat 5 cable and beyond. I can't remember the exact speed but at the time we discussed it was possible to have enough speed in a single fibre optic cable in a laboratory to have about 400.000.000 phone conversations going on at the same time over one cable. At a guess that's probably every phone conversation at any given time on earth. 

Putting that into perspective I'm sure it's quite possible to transport the little bit of data that makes up a song in a cable without any problem. 

The reason Toslink isn't much good is not because it's fibre optic cable but because it's a really bad version of fibre optic cable. I wouldn't be surprised if fibre optic done properly will be the next high end digital audio interface.
(25-May-2019, 08:36)Pim Wrote: [ -> ]
(25-May-2019, 08:09)baconbrain Wrote: [ -> ]
(23-May-2019, 17:14)K4680 Wrote: [ -> ]Hi all, I'm just waiting for someone to report that you hear different sound with different fiber optic!  Big Grin
But then I lose faith in the Hifi God, and then ... Rolleyes

Love the cartoon! Actually, signal deterioration can occur with Fiber, so I would assume that it also would logically have an effect on the SQ, just as it does with something like the video quality of a 4k transmission. (artifacts, etc.) But I am wondering a bit off topic ....  Blush

It's at least 20 years ago when I spent a day at Siemens in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. The topic of the day was Cat 5 cable and beyond. I can't remember the exact speed but at the time we discussed it was possible to have enough speed in a single fibre optic cable in a laboratory to have about 400.000.000 phone conversations going on at the same time over one cable. At a guess that's probably every phone conversation at any given time on earth. 

Putting that into perspective I'm sure it's quite possible to transport the little bit of data that makes up a song in a cable without any problem. 

The reason Toslink isn't much good is not because it's fibre optic cable but because it's a really bad version of fibre optic cable. I wouldn't be surprised if fibre optic done properly will be the next high end digital audio interface.

Hello Pim, which I suspect are probably the translators. From Fiber to LAN and back again. What is undisputed, the more media breaks take place, the more errors occur. I'll tell you the quality of the fiber is not to be underestimated. You already get 1 m for 5€ or in the professional area (super polished ends) for 45 €! But is only from large lengths (Km) and large amounts of data authoritative! It remains exciting ... Big Grin
Hello, informative and detailed test found in the net! Rolleyes

Interesting is the setup with 2 switch !!

https://audiobacon.net/2019/04/05/sotm-s...eview/amp/
(25-May-2019, 18:54)K4680 Wrote: [ -> ]Hello, informative and detailed test found in the net! Rolleyes

Interesting is the setup with 2 switch !!

https://audiobacon.net/2019/04/05/sotm-s...eview/amp/

I like Jay‘s articles (helped by the fact that he also likes one of my favorite foods) but many feel his findings are lacking technical content and not fact based. (see the comments section)

Fortunately that type of bashing is not very common in this community and something that I really appreciate.
(26-May-2019, 07:58)baconbrain Wrote: [ -> ]
(25-May-2019, 18:54)K4680 Wrote: [ -> ]Hello, informative and detailed test found in the net! Rolleyes

Interesting is the setup with 2 switch !!

https://audiobacon.net/2019/04/05/sotm-s...eview/amp/

I like Jay‘s articles (helped by the fact that he also likes one of my favorite foods) but many feel his findings are lacking technical content and not fact based. (see the comments section)

Fortunately that type of bashing is not very common in this community and something that I really appreciate.

++1 Rolleyes

Wink  Wink
(26-May-2019, 08:47)K4680 Wrote: [ -> ]++1 Rolleyes

Wink  Wink

Excellent pic! Time for Breakfast Tongue
Any news GuillaumeB or someone els?
(06-Jun-2019, 07:10)Johnnydev Wrote: [ -> ]Any news GuillaumeB or someone els?

Well indeed!  Smile

I was very happy with the single SOtM switch, essentially replacing the AQVOX. As I think I reported previously this was an instant improvement. 

Then 10 days or so ago the second switch arrived. I connected this to the other SOtM using an ethernet cable. Very happy with the result, basically more of the same.

Once I had received the correct transceivers (long story) I was able to try connecting the two SOtM units via fibre. This also had quite a big effect but one that I didn't really like. Switching back to an ethernet connection between the two units confirmed my impressions. I could hear that the optical connection did some good things (soundstage even deeper, noise floor even lower) but I didn't really enjoy the music. Perhaps the transceivers needed more time to settle? I have no idea.

I then installed a bridge between my router and office switch (which feeds my SOtM), using the same transceivers and some media converters from FS.com (https://www.fs.com/uk/products/35333.html). 

Now this was REALLY interesting, it made a massive difference! To the point where my brain is almost struggling to make sense of things. I know it's better - in "hi-fi" terms - but there is some kind of cognitive dissonance going on. I am gradually coming round to the idea that perhaps I just need a bit of time to get used to things. It's like the presentation of music has changed quite a bit and I can't quite work out whether I like it or not. There are some good moments, then moments where I am not so sure. 

So over the next few days I will try removing things to understand what is going on and work out which combinations I prefer. 

And I have just heard that the Gold M12 is being sent to me tomorrow, so that should arrive next week.  Smile

Guillaume