Questions about Ethernet Cabling

I've also thought about  tradeoffs of coax vs ethernet in front of modem. I'm using an extra  20' more coax than what I could minimally use. Its that or using 20' ethernet for that run. With cost of ethernet I presently run coax is no brainer, figure the 50' or so of coax already coming from provider box to indoor placement will dominate either way.

I mentioned this in another thread, but the switch I tried was RenoLabs Ultimate. I dismantled switch and circuit board, not the Buffalo board used in many lower priced so called audiophile switches. This one probably on similar quality plane, built in LPS using quality parts, clock built on proprietary board. This not some crap pile of parts. Based on what I heard, switch was doing it's job exactly as intended. I simply didn't like the extreme precision of sound stage, images too well defined in space.

IME, network optimization post server has been more effective. The very minor lowered noise floor of switch wasn't worth the tradeoff of poorer sound stage, imaging. I know I'm not alone in finding various audiophile and non-audiophile switches being detrimental to sound qualilty. Having said that, I do use all AQ Vodka prior to server and NAS, router powered by over spec'd (more than minimal amperage supply) LPS.

I will share that with my DirectStream DAC + Bridge 2, going from an all copper ethernet connection directly to my router to going with TP Link optical converters on both sides and a long optical run, including using linear power supplies for the optical converters, router and modem, made a notable improvement with blacker background and more nuanced sound. 

Now that I've purchased a Holo May DAC and am using Roon for streaming, it seems like the USB is the best way to feed this DAC for streaming, and given that the Optical Rendu does both USB and Roon, it seems like the way to go.  I already have the optical cable and plenty of linear power supplies, but my TP: Link isn't the right one (need single speed gigabit).  I'm looking for advice for serving up the optical to the Rendu.  Get a different converter, or get a switch with a built in optical outlet?  If possible, please provide a model or link to your recommendation, and why.  

Thanks, Peter

not everybody likes the Lumin sound and operating system and the choice of fiber-only servers/dacs at the moment is still limited. Also, not all networks are fiber-optics and for those still coming off copper the optical converters and their PSUs open another can of worms. On short cable runs, the superiority of fibre is also more debatable, but in the long run the market will turn your way

I am not advocating for anyone to buy a Lumin DAC. In fact, I do not even consider it due to price. My max price for a DAC is $3k. My point on the Lumin is that I believe that their solution for streaming with the X1 SFP is the best. I base this on my experience with streaming using the Sonore OpticalRendu. I believe what I use, while the best I have owned, is inferior to the Lumin X1 streaming. In the future, I wish all DACs had the SFP so I can eliminate the OpticalRendu.

BTW - in my office I have the following switch. It hooks up my computer, TV, and other devices, including the Sonore OpticalRendu to my DAC. I have 2 of these streamers for 2 DACs. In the future, with a SFP compatible DAC I can eliminate the OpticalRendu and just plug my fibre cable to the DAC from this switch. 

Amazon.com: Ubiquiti Networks Networks UniFi Switch 8-Port 150 Watts, White : Electronics  (price seems to have gone up since I bought it)

@peter_s tp link mc200cm won't work?

Based on my research and experience I'd have to say audiophile switches hit and miss, can't recall a single negative experience with FMC.

As far as server/dac/streamer vs streamer dacs vs discrete components. I have trifield meter, measures RFI. The worst offenders, in order are routers/wifi, NAS, all transformers.  Think about the all in one with wifi capability and internal storage, maximum noise producer, next will be streamer dac, at least one with wifi capability, best is all discrete. Careful placement of these discreet components will pay off, and provisions for shielding. Certainly, manufacturers of these components take some measures to decrease internal noise, but the amount of RFI I'm measuring makes it impossible to eliminate it. Only a farraday cage around individual sections would come close or improve upon discrete solution.

I understand with discrete components noise has possibility of entry with ethernet cables, reason for fiber, added switching power supplies, reason for LPS. The other downside of course is added complexity, mess of cables. In final analysis, essentially what you have is diy vs off the shelf solution, the problem with comparisons of sound quality is diy is bespoke, likely a singularly unique setup. These solutions should not be dismissed as inferior without hearing any particular setup. Audiophilestyle forum has been my go to for streaming solutions.

@sns1 - That might work, but I am having trouble interpreting specs.  The recommendations for the optical rendu state that the unit should be Gigabit:

a. 1000base-SX (10/100/1000 base units are not supported only use 1000 base)
b. Interface: LC
c. Fiber type: 62.5/125um
d. Multi-Mode Wave Length: 850nm

Looking at the tp-link website specs for the mc200cm, it states "10/100/1000Mbps Auto-Negotiation RJ45 port supporting Auto-MDI/MDIX" but it also states that it supports Network Media 1000BASE-SX (fiber) and 1000BASE-T (copper).  The second statement suggests that it should work.