New SFPs in 'da house

I've been using a run of optical fiber from my "remote server room" (where my Roon Core resides) to my main audio rack for about 4 years now. I've found that optical provides a number of benefits, most notable of which is that it doesn't pass leakage current from "dirty digital devices" that put low- and high-source impedance leakage current on Ethernet cables, which results in threshold jitter, and concomitantly, timing errors, which are very audible. The advent of audio quality fiber media convertors, e.g. OpticalModule, and network bridges such as those from Sonore (OpticalRendu), switches e.g. EtherREGEN and SOtM and streamers e.g., from Lumin can provided significant improvements to audio quality from "streaming sources" (e.g., digital music servers, NAS, Roon Cores, HQPlayer, etc.) by supporting optical transmission (specifically not referring to TOSLINK, here).

As such, I've been reading in-depth Emile's posts in WBF about the SFPs that he found to be the best-sounding SFPs, and what he recommends for use with the Taiko Extreme. So, today I got in two of 'em in to try out.

I got these from Planet Technology Corp., and they are 1000Base-LX single-mode SFPs from MGB-TLX that support transmission up to 20KM over 9/125 fiber.





I also got in some Corning LC/LC 9/125 fiber to try out as well vs. the Tripp-Lite LC/LC fiber I'm currently using (which has been working fine).


The nice thing about my Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp is I can run fiber directly from the EtherREGEN in the "remote server room" straight in to the back of the Lumin P1, and be done. No messin' around with network bridges, power supplies for network bridges, power cables for the power supplies for the network bridges, power cables for the DAC, Ethernet cables for the network bridge, USB cables for the DAC, interconnects from the DAC to the preamp, blah, blah, blah...

Basically, with the P1, it's "one and done"! Simple is GOOD.

Going to start out with the optical transceivers first, and then when I get a chance, I'll install the run of the new Corning fiber.

Stay tuned...

 

I have a few FS transceivers and a armored cable for radio towers.
OS2 9/125μm Corning G.657.A1

sweet setup, wish we could have a cheaper streamer with an SFP cage available in the market 1000Base-LX or 10GBASE.

Friend of mine just tried it reluctantly and is enjoying it.

 

I agree.

 

From what I can gather from reading lots of posts about this (primarily the Taiko Extreme thread at WBF), 1) single-mode sounds better and 2) most of the high-end devices that accept fiber use SFP ports that utilize single-mode optical transceivers.

 

I'm not going to get into the SM vs MM thing. From a pure ethernet networking perspective audiophiles seem to prefer doing it wrong, but I'll try to provide some positive advice;

I would highly recommend if you are using SFPs that you get an LC fiber cleaner and use it on both the SFP sockets and the ends of your cable before you assemble them. Even brand new fiber and SFPs with dust caps often have a lot of dirt that you will never see unless you have a fiber scope.

https://www.amazon.com/fiber-cleaning-pen/s?k=fiber+cleaning+pen

 

Thanks, will do. Good suggestion.

 

Or you can get the all-in-one fiber + transceivers cable.
I got a 3m Cisco one that sounds great with cheapo SFP to Ethernet converters.

 

Now what about those liquid interface things? I can't remember the name of them, but I've seen products where you're supposed to apply a dab of it on the end of your optical cable, so it mates the two ends together and something about the refraction index with the liquid is better than air in between or some magic like that.

 

AOC cables are typically MM because they are used in short runs, though I think you can get them in SM as well. We use those in our datacenters along with the copper version called DAC cables (Direct Attach Copper - nothing to do with audio), where equipment needing connection is close to each other and the cables are only run through the cable management in the racks. If you need to run through conduit or between rooms they have obvious drawbacks. Single mode fiber (which for whatever reason audiophiles seem to prefer) is also more sensitive to bend radius limits so not as convenient for inter-building cabling.

Not familiar with that, and have never seen our external service providers use such either. Not to say it is not a thing, but the industry seems to function fine without it. I'd be curious to see what effect it actually has on optical power levels, but I would expect not much. Audiophiles might prefer the more fluid presentation though

 

Certainly cables that are re-used a lot will become harder to clean over time. I think sometimes the dirt will create tiny micro-scratches in the endface surface that will tend to hold it. I've watched people try and try over and over again to remove an obvious defect on the scope that just won't budge no matter what. I do think the box-type cleaners work better on the cable ends, but they don't do the splice trays or SFP connections so I usually recommend the pen type. Obviously if you work with fiber much you will have a scope, but in the absence of that using any cleaner is still probably better than not bothering at all.

 

Okayyy....that was quite the digression.