2. digital
  3. 164268-20253

The indisputable benefit of fiber for music

I've read a lot about fiber's audible superiority to Ethernet, and most of it I have taken with a grain of salt.  1GigE is plenty fast for just about anything, and it is balanced and galvanically isolated. The one area where fiber is clearly a better choice for music systems is lightning protection.

It is not uncommon for lightning to enter a home via the cable TV's coaxial cable. This can easily jump the millimeters from coax to Ethernet to Ethernet. So if you are like me, and rely on Ethernet cabling to stream to avoid any Wifi issues you are also creating a possible lightning path from the external Internet provider's connection all the way to your fancy audio gear.

In this one situation I have to say, the use of a 1m or longer fiber cable is the superior solution. I'm considering using this at the junction between the cable TV modem and my router, therefore isolating all of my streaming devices at once.

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Here's a good one. When I ask about a simple mod you respond saying don't do it the voltage is LETHAL (just like that, ALL CAPS) and that even if unplugged I will kill myself. 

But when it comes to a lightning strike, millions of volts, more than enough to set the house on fire, no problem, meter of fiber optic and lightning won't be able to enter your home.

See, I do actually read this stuff. But, could you maybe try and help me understand why my unplugged tube amp is more LETHAL than lightning?


erik_squires OP
16,049 posts
 
Hi @millercarbon ,

Not a lot of adults would still be butt hurt over free advice.  I'm glad to know you are special that way.

Best,

Erik
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,595 posts
 
Whole house yesterday.  
Toslink today.  
Overkill.  
I've never heard any glass that sounded as good as ViaBlue.
Indubately.
Post removed 
More to discover