Network Switches

@thyname When I originally read about the EtherREGEN it was 3AM. Now that I had my 2 hours of sleep I looked at this again with full mental agility. :)

It seems the question I need answering is what goes into the streaming endpoint in the EtherREGEN + OpticalRendu flow, is it USB or RJ45?

You get Ethernet (copper) from router / main switch into the B side of EtherRegen

Then you buy a SFP fiber transceiver for EtherRegen (it has a FMC port, but not the transceiver). Something life the one at the bottom of this page ($20):

http://sonore.us/opticalModule.html

You put that transceiver into the one port on EtherRegen located on side A.

Then you run a fiber cable from that EtherRegen FMC port on side A to your opticalRendu

Then USB cable from your opticalRendu to the USB input of your DAC

For reference and for those who are new to this:

SFP = Small Form-Factor Pluggable Transceiver

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_form-factor_pluggable_transceiver

FMC = Fiber Media Convertor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_media_converter

Basic overview:  https://planetechusa.com/blog/media-converter-quick-guide/

@thyname Ok, USB to the endpoint makes it super clear. I got confused thinking RJ45 to the endpoint was the goal.

I understand there are some clocking things (beyond my pay scale of understanding) that the EtherREGEN does but I wonder how it compares with the following for USB end point streaming. So taking the EtherREGEN + OpticalRendu scenario you described and comparing with the following:

https://www.ui.com/unifi-switching/unifi-switch-8-150w/   (or EtherREGEN) (Fiber Optical  Output for either one)

+

Sonore Signiture Rendu SE Optical -> USB DAC input

Or to go a little crazy and compare with (non-USB end point)

https://www.ui.com/unifi-switching/unifi-switch-8-150w/  (or EtherREGEN)  (Fiber Optical Output for either one)

+

Lumin X1 using Fiber Optical DAC input

In the future, I see a lot more DACs with a Fiber optical input. Just 3 years ago I was wondering if RJ45 DAC input was the future over USB.

I don't know. I cannot possibly try them all. I have an Innuos ZENith MK3 and a DAC with USB input, so I look for potential solutions that may improve that particular set up. It's worth experimenting and trying different things. It's a hobby, so it's fun