Oh, I was looking forward to your review of the SOTM Switch vs your present gear, especially to see what effect clocking the switch would have.
SOtM dCBL-CAT8M - Is this the new reference in LAN cables?
I just came across an official announcement on SOtM’s highest grade Ethernet cable ~ dCBL-CAT8M. Interestingly, the new LAN cables sports not one but two filter blocks on each end of the cable.
The premise of trying this cable in a fully tricked out SOtM system with their sNH-10G network switch is quite tempting. It will be interesting to hear how a complete SOtM system compares to my current reference, Telegartner M12 Gold Switch with JCAT Signature GOLD M12 LAN cable and Optimo 3 Duo LPS.
There is no official review yet so I am hoping to hear from anyone currently using this cable and said improvements over dCBL-CAT7 in your digital streaming system. Where exactly did you find most improvement, before or after the Ethernet switch?
Opinions are welcome from those who believe in the importance of Network Optimization, thank you!
Happy Holidays 🎄
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@lalitk : What existing switch that you're using isn't compatible with the new SOTM dcbl Cat 8M and why? Thanks. Jeff |
I was all set to pull the trigger on SoTM switch but then a series of events gave me a pause to pursue the SoTM switch. I am still hanging on the CAT8M LAN, in hopes of trying the SoTM switch later in the future. I got few other things lined up for audition in upcoming months which I feel will yield much bigger improvements over trying another switch. I am currently using Telegartner M12 Switch Gold that uses proprietary M12 connectors. |
Responding back with some new info since my last post here on this topic. I’ve been using an SOTM ISO-Cat7 filter and SOTM 30cm Ethernet cable between my router and my streamer for the past month or so. The streamer is an Ifi Zen Stream with an LHY 12-Volt linear supply. A couple of days ago I purchased a used Etherregen of the forum. I’m currently testing it out, and I have to say I think it’s an improvement over the ISO-Cat7 filter. I tried different configurations with and without the ISO-Cat7 and am currently listing with it coming straight out of the router via the little SOTM 30cm cable, then a Linkup Cat8 patch into the Etherregen, then out via another Linkup patch into the Zen Stream. I may take the SOTM filter back out to do more testing but so far this is pretty amazing as far as an improvement goes. I can only say it feels more relaxed and less strained. My LHY 12V power supply has two outputs so I think I can also power the Etherregen off of it in addition to the Zen Stream. Currently just using the brick switcher that came from Uptone. Very happy with this and with the continued incremental changes thanks for all the valuable information For what it’s worth , the rest of the stereo is: Ifi Zen Stream > Triode Wire Labs USB cable > Denafrips Iris DDC > Triode Wire Labs SPDIF Coax cable > Border Patrol se-i DAC > Triode Wire Labs Spirit 2 RCA cables > Van Alstine RB10 tube preamp > Triode Wire Labs Spirit 2 RCA cables > Van Alstine SET 120 power amp > Supra Rondo speaker cables > Fritz Carbon SE mk-ii loudspeakers.
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Sorry if this is off-topic. I just got an Sotm dcBL-Cat7u cable and the iso-cat7. I'm using a Paul Pang network switch and an Innuos Pulse streamer. Question is whether to put the Cat7u cable or the Iso-Cat7 filter first, into the switch. The local dealer said that putting the Iso-Cat7 filter before the cat7u cable gives better sound. But in the literature for the dcBl-Cat7 and Iso-Cat6 package that Sotm was selling some time ago, it was recommended to put the cable first before the filter. I can try both, but with the cable being so stiff, it is quite hard to reach behind my setup to make changes. |
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