Fiber to my Etherregen… Sonore OM or generic?


Greetings

I’ve been experimenting with both a SOTM ISO-Cat7 isolater as well as a 2nd hand Uptone EtherRegen with great results.

I currently have my modem and wireless router behind my equipment rack and I’m concerned their proximity to my audio gear is problematic.

Since the EtherRegen has an SFP port, I think the smartest way to put some distance between them is to install a FMC after the router and run a longish optical cable up from the basement directly to the Uptone ER. Also interested in the audio and iso benefits of doing that as well.

What is the benefit of buying a Sonore Optical Module over a TP Link or other consumer level FMC?

I know there may be benefits with using certain SFP cages and their appropriate cables but , would it be wiser to buy a cheap FMC and perhaps an inexpensive LPS (from LHY for instance) then spring for a boutique fiber converter ?

thanks

JS

 

j_andrews

For starters like myself experimented  since I bought a new faster modem ,router combo far better synergy then separate units and less cables ,the motorola 8702 

has docsis 3.1 which is 4 x faster then the older 3.0 I then put a 12 v Linear Power Supply which is also 8 amp capable from little green computer, I put a synergistic purple 4 amp slow blow 20 mm a nice improvement. Then a Ethernet converter switch with a 7 v LPS then fiber optic to a Sonore deluxe fiber back to Ethernet ,this being the end point I put the excellent 7 v , Linear Tube Audio -LPS with synergistic purple fuse ,you could use Hifi tuning fuses before the Sonore, being the end point you want your best !  Good sfp modules do count Little green computer sell the Finisar they are $200 a pair ,they are the best . Please note you will need 2 Quality Ethernet cables to truly get the most fidelity not $50, Ihave a AQ Diamond 💎,and a Jcat . The Jcat ref are very good as well as their usb but not cheap$$ . It cost me over $4k just to do this , but you can get a good starter package from little green computer , spend a minimum of $200 each for the Ethernet cables WWorld star light are a good buy and after market fuses you can buy when even ,use slow blow fuses ,they come with fast blow for stock fuses can vary up to 15%+ in accuracy and  that’s why I say go slow blow so they don’t pop for aftermarket fuses very accurate and had one blow  .

@peter_s Yes, buy a fiber optic switch with at least one copper copper port. Attach an LPS to it for less noise generation.I have a few Mikrotik 10G switches and a QNAP 10G switch. The QNAP has 8 copper and 4 fiber ports. Any port can be used as in/out. You don't need 10G, I just wanted to future proof my LAN. 

I have the ability to connect my system in two ways. Opinions on whether one will sound better than the other?

1) Network switch with integral SFP port > Fiber > Sonore Optical Rendu

2) Network switch > copper ethernet > Sonore Optical Module > Fiber > Sonore Optical Rendu

Removing the Sonore Optical Module from the path eliminates a cable and device. Could the optical conversion performed by the Sonore Optical Module be audibly different from that done by the switch?

 

 

1) Network switch with integral SFP port > Fiber > Sonore Optical Rendu

2) Network switch > copper ethernet > Sonore Optical Module > Fiber > Sonore Optical Rendu
 

@catastrofe it’s a good question that may only be answered by trial and error. I’d be curious to know whether your switch is powered by a LPS? If so, that may be a more realistic comparison to the opticalModule. The question would then be whether there’s enough of a difference to justify the price of the opticalModule.

For context, I’m of the belief that FMCs (as well as SFPs and single mode vs multimode optic cables) matter quite a bit. IME FMCs matter the most, especially when you compare something like the opticalModule to a $20 FMC - both seem to respond well to LPS’.