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
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,687 posts
 
The problem of 'flatlanders' (life on the planes...oops, plains or just level lands) is the fear of lighting....nope, lightning...

All 6 of our 'puters are either WiFi'd or Bleutoothy, the cable modem all by its' lonesome in the corner, away....fresh new router as well, upgrading our act.

Just downstream 1/2 mi. from the areas' major hospital, so speed isn't an issue.  Better was back in Houston 15ish years hence, on a T3 line.  But 'puters were slower then, so all +/- equal in satisfaction.

Best about here is living at the base of hill, topped by a 100' cell tower of steel.  Couldn't ask for a better lightning rod...

Keep in mind the odds are still the same as a winning Lotto tix, unlucky vs lucky.  Place your bets....;)


Post removed 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,630 posts
 
If you are sooo worried about it invest $19:
https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-accessories/products/instant-802-3af-adapter

If you want better sound get an ENO and a pink Faun isolator.
I just got a HOM250SPSD for $60.
Debating whether to plug it in hot or cold.
yyzsantabarbara
4,903 posts
 
I am duplicating my home office fibre setup for someone's office. Everything is the same except 100 feet of fibre and 40 feet of fibre for 2 DACs in 2 different rooms.

I was told that short fibre wire is not ideal, less than 10 feet.
mitch2
4,013 posts
 
@anzaanimalclinic 
Found that choice of SFP's will make or break the deal.
What specifically did you find out about choosing the best SFP converter?  Which do you recommend for best sound?

Another question to all you ENO owners who also use fiber is whether the ENO, which costs over $800, has been worth it just to clean up the last very short Ethernet cable running from an SFP box to the streamer, assuming the majority of the run from router to the system area is all fiber?

The manufacturer, @richtruss believes so;
All active devices emit noise, including optical to RJ45 converters. We have users with these media converters that get a big improvement, as eloquently described by Bill, by adding an ENO filter between the media converter and the streamer.

More to discover