I like the suggestion to run both and use ethernet for now. Right now fiber has one vendor with a loyal group of followers but I (and many others) aren't convinced that the losses from the dual converters outweigh the gains. but I'm open minded, and technology changes and it doesn't cost much to run the fiber so have it there for the future. In 5 years we may all be running fiber. Jerry |
I would also run both. I use a ethernet switch with SFP fiber ports and a media converter to isolate my Aurender in my main room. In my second system I use a pair of media converters to isolate my Vault 2i. I also don't think you hear a difference but I wanted to isolate my gear and this was an inexpensive solution. |
@oddiofyl @carlsbad2 make a good point, fibre is incredibly inexpensive so running both should not add much to your initial costs and things do change. For example, if my router had a fibre output and my server had a fibre input, maybe fibre would be a better option. In addition to optical isolation there are several other filters that provide isolation, including the Network Acoustics products, and others such as the GigaFOILv4-INLINE Ethernet Filter that provides optical isolation in a single box. |
I would run both as well. It’s much easier with everything opened up. Another consideration is using grounded Ethernet cables. Remember, you can always run a line and leave it hidden behind the sheetrock until you are ready to use it. Take plenty of pictures before the sheetrock goes back up. Hope your renovation goes well. |
Fiber is fragile, does not like bends, requires skill and equipment to terminate and test, and is expensive. We used it in large data centers for Gig-E and higher. Also handy in very noisy, and I mean VERY noisy environments. We use it for security reasons as you can't inductively tap it. If running fiber, then you have the added expense and failure modes of fiber to copper transceivers. Fiber transmitters and receivers are more failure prone than copper. Do not forget all fiber is not the same. Multi-mode or single mode? For the specific layer one, how many fibers? Which connectors? Oh, yea, we had more issues with errors from the transceivers than the actual runs. But for a house? Cat-5. Cat-6 is actually an advertising made up term. 5+ is the same bandwidth but as the pairs are bonded, over long runs ( hundreds of feet) they have a more consistent impedance for Gig-E. Shielded cable is also only useful for long runs in terrible environments or where required for medical certification. I know there is a lot of talk about errors and noise, "audio" switches etc. But if running Ethernet, you are running TCP/IP which will with the protocol resend the packets until they all get the correct check sums and then deliver them in sequence. Any bit drop or noise goes away in the first three layers of the stack. IF you have ground loop issues and you have not applied sufficient black magic to fix them, and if you can identify your network in a small domain like a house, then opto-isolators can help. We used them on buss and tag lines back when IBM demanded their CPU to be on a different lines branch from third party. Probably irrelevant in a house. Your money of course. Don't let audiophile rumor re-posters or armchair "seams reasonable" pontificators who spending your money overshadow reality. Just because something exists does not mean you need it. I am not an expert, but I did have a career in industry and Government in failure analysis, R/W engineering, data systems architecture, SA and SE in life-threat reliability systems so I know a little. I have polished my share of fiber. :) |
