Advice on Optical Ethernet Conversion

Hi @sns 

Great information, many thanks.

I'm going to try running two optical 'moats', first one from the modem to a TrendNet 4-port switch w SFP going to my Cisco Catalyst 2960 via fibre//2 10Gtek SMCs.

The second one would be a Stack Audio SmoothLAN from the Cisco, feeding an FMC (perhaps the opticalModule?), and this would go via fibre cable to the Lumin, with two 1318 Finisar SMCs.

Then I could run my computer LAN by connecting a TP Link switch to the TrendNet (via RJ45), or from the Cisco.

* Would it be best to plug in the wifi into the TrendNet, even though it will be a hub that feeds the audio system LAN?  Or should it be connected to the downstream computer LAN TP-Link switch?

Any advice/comments welcome.

Best, JAMES.

Wifi downstream better.

The two switches you're running are weak link in your setup, optimizing your optical downstream from those noisy switches is somewhat futile. A single switch in your audio streaming setup preferable to running two, and that single switch could be upgraded via an audiophile switch, even one the less expensive ones would be an improvement. Router powered via LPS would also be an improvement.

Noise is loss of resolution in streaming audio, once its lost no amount of downstream upgrades will get it back. Start upgrades with first link in chain and work down.

@sns "I should also add the Mundorf diy DC cables made a far larger difference than I was expecting"

I can second this observation. I tried both the Sonore DC4 and a Ghent GAC-4/1 star quad and didn't hear much difference over a cheap stock cable. However, when I used the Mundorf, I was extremely pleased with the improvement in speed and resolution with no downside to my ears. Always nice to have a significant improvement from a relatively cheap purchase.

I realize the thread is 4-5 months old now and I am not sure what the OP went with for a FMC, but I can wholeheartedly recommend the latest Opticalmodule from Sonore over the Etherregen. I was using the Etherregen with SFP optical in on one side and then an ethernet cable on the other side to my streaming DAC (Bricasti). I read in another forum that the OM deluxe was better than Etherregen. This is what my ears also told me as well. Surprisingly better.

@sfpeloton Yeah, I was skeptical DC cables could make that much difference until the Mundorf. Thinking about upgrading to deluxe versions of both OpticalModule and OpticalRendu.

Thanks for your comment, @sfpeloton 

I meant to circle back to say I ended up purchasing the OpticalModule Deluxe with a SGC linear power supply.  In testing it with the cheaper FMC, I would say the audible difference was marginal, but the overall quality seemed more refined.  And, it seems that part of this hobby is checking off boxes: so even if it's not a dramatic improvement, you know you've got that area of your system covered with a quality piece.

I also took @sns advice, and added LPS to my router and have split my network into computer side and audio only.

Finally, I just acquired a Bricasti M3 to replace my Benchmark DAC3 -- and that is proving to be a meaningful upgrade.  Really enjoying the music more now.

Best, JAMES.