Here is the link to Stereophile: Linn Klimax Solo 800 amplificateur de puissance monobloc Page 2 | Stereophile.com
He talks about it briefly, but it piqued my interest, and he talks about it in several other articles. Obviously these are his preferred SFPs.
Concerning WBF I can’t find it anymore, maybe I made a mistake…
If you don’t mind, I have some comments regarding your recommendations…
First of all, I would like to state that I have some experience with optical fiber in audio, all since I noticed the solution used by MSB Technology in the optical isolation of their DAC.
I started by inserting a fiber optic loop into the ethernet cable of the streamer, first through 2xFMC (fiber media converter), 2xSFP multimode and multimode fiber optics. Then 2xFMC, 2xSFP single mode and single mode optical fiber.
This solution was promoted for a long time by the DELA website from Japan for MELCO (DELA OP-S100). After that MELCO introduced the ADOT (Audiophile Digital Optical Technology) packages.
I took a switch with management and SFP+ port and removed one of the FMCs. Of course, they all had to be fed with linear sources.
Over time I have tried various brands of FMCs, SFPs and optical fibers. My conclusion, and that of many others expressed on the forums, was that the use of singlemode equipment is clearly superior to multimode.
And regarding SFP modules, Coherent Finisar and CISCO are the top.
Then a new solution appeared, all in a very elegant box, from iFi Audio (SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro). If you look at the interior pictures, you can see that it uses singlemode optical fiber.
I did all this because I found the superiority of fiber optic insulation compared to any other solutions.
That was the only reason why I bought RS130 and RSA720.
For those who are passionate, there is a long discussion thread on the audiophilestyle forum (https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/24002-optical-network-configurations/#comments).
Returning to your post, I have a few observations:
- Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL and Cisco SFP10G-LR SFP+ transceivers are Single Mode SFP+, 10Gb/s, Wavelength: 1310nm, and have Emitting Source: Laser.
These are of the highest grade, industrial, and require singlemode optical fiber for connection. - Broadcom / Avago AFBR-5718PZ is a transceiver Multimode SFP, 1.25 Gb/s, Wavelength: 850 nm, and have Emitting Source: LED, and require multimode optical fiber for connection.
LED is the weakest solution for Emitting Source. - Broadcom / Avago AFBR-710ISMZ is a transceiver Multimode SFP+, 10 Gb/s,Wavelength: 850 nm, end it is “End of Life”.
Require multimode optical fiber for connection. - The optical fiber you recommended, Corning OM4, is multimode optical fiber and works only with multimode transceivers.
- Regarding the Amphenol DAC Cable SF-SFPP2EPASS-001 cable, this is a copper cable, which cancels the insulation of the optical fiber!
DAC cable=Direct Attach Copper cable - Regarding the Cisco DAC cable SFP10G-AOC, I think it is a drafting error. It cannot be DAC and AOC at the same time.
AOC cable = Active Optical Cable
My configuration:
For the RS130 ethernet connection, I use two Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL and Corning SMF-28® Ultra Single-mode (OS2) modules and they work very well.
To connect the RSA720, I use the modules and optical fiber provided by the manufacturer. I tried CISCO SFP-10G-LR and it didn’t work for me!
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@ SPaul,
Excellent analysis,
For the Finisar and Cisco SFPs I obviously used a Corning OS2 fiber and for the Avago a Corning OM4.
I tried all possible combinations and on my system, what works best “for me” is Avago on the RS130 Internet input and the Amphenol DAC cable between the RS130 and the RD160.
I am aware that the Aphenom is copper, just like the very expensive Melco C1 (which is an undisputed reference), but what matters is my ear, it’s the emotion I get from it when I listen to my music.
But I agree with you on the technical side.
Finally, I confirm that the SFP10G-LR SFP+ worked perfectly between the RS130 and the RSA720.
Of course, in the end, everyone’s ear matters!
However, you did not clarify the Cisco cable is DAC or AOC?
A Cable DAC can be passive (like Amphenol or Melco) or active (AOC, like Cisco). right?
In any case, this is how they are presented on the various online sales sites…
But it can NOT be DAC and AOC at the same time!
DAC cable = Direct Attach Copper cable
AOC cable = Active Optical Cable
I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m saying that a lot of sites call it that:
Arista AOC-Q-Q-100G-3M 100G QSFP100 DAC Active Optical AOC-10027-20 | eBay
Thank you for this encyclopedic precision.
It is a mistake of the seller. As you can see in the links above, the manufacturer does not mix them.
I was just curious which Cisco cable you used, AOC (orange color) or DAC (black color).
Regarding the Melco C1 SFP DAC cable, I tested it, and to my ears it was below Cisco SFP-10G-LR (original, because many equivalents or fakes are also sold).
@SPaul
You should try a pair of ELFCAM ES31X-3LCD10 SFP+ modules and a double single mode fiber to connect your RSA720 to your RS130 : they clearly outperform the ROSE-provided multimode SANOC modules… and Corning fibers also outperform the noname fibers.
I have tested many famous brands of SFPs and I remain in my opinion that Cisco and Finisar are by far the best. See the detailed specifications and mainly the type of laser used.
Attention, there are many fake SFP modules on the market. See the difference here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGuqtZOurZo&t=167s
An original CISCO SFP-10G-LR module costs EUR 3170 !!!
https://octopart.com/sfp-10g-lr%3D-cisco-24767779?r=sp¤cy=EUR
It is what I have : SFP+ are required for RSA720 !
SANOC modules are singlemode not multimode!
The optical fiber is also singlemode (yellow color). It can also be seen from the Wavelength specifications: 1270nm-1330nm.
Ok, my mistake : I mean single fiber or dual fiber. I mean dual fiber sounds much better than single fiber (MSB must think the same…). SANOC modules use single fiber and are advantageously replaced by the said ELFCAM dual fiber modules in my setup. I don’t look at specs only : I trust my ears, so do my friends who ordered the same as well after noting the improvements in my setup…
Worth a try even if you don’t believe my
ears : you might have a good surprise… Especially for the 43 euros Price for a pair !
All the other modules discussed here, apart from the one provided by Rose, are “dual fiber”. That’s not the point! Try to read the information from the link I put above and maybe you will find new information: https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/24002-optical-network-configurations/#comments
I’ve tried dozens of SFPs and SFP+, like many others on that forum, but you don’t have to believe me, try CISCO SFP10G-LR SFP+ and see what your ears tell you.
Overall, I agree with you about Finisar and Cisco.
My Cisco modules are original and my AOC is of course orange and original too (original box and invoice).
I prefer the Avago because the low-mids and mids are more present and it brings a certain warmth to the sound. I lost a little on the soundstage compared to the Cisco AOC, but it is less tiring during long listening sessions.
This is also the advantage of the solution with SFPs, optical fiber and switch, compared to the all-in-a-box solution (Ediscreation fiber-box, JCAT OPT Bridge 1000M Optical Isolator, Telegartner OPT Bridge 1000M, SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro).
By changing the SFPs you get different “flavors” of sound.
Can you tell us what switch you are using now?
@SPaul please kindly indicate from which reliable source you bought your CISCO SFP10G-LR SFP+ modules… There are so many different prices on internet, that some might be the copies you mentioned before (?)
@SPaul,
I have 2 Sotm sNH10G Sclock switches with the AudioSensibility tweak (internal cables).
The first one is behind my internet provider’s router, connected with Sablon Ethernet 2020 Cable. It is connected to the second switch by a 15m Commscope Terraspeed fiber with 2 Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL SFPs.
From the second switch I go to the RS130 with the Avago AFBR-710ISMZ Gen 5 and Corning OM4 fiber. And finally from the RS130 to the RD160 with the Amphenol SF-SFPP2EPASS-001
I found it second-hand on Ebay from a German supplier:
I’m also going to put my 2 Cisco modules up for sale, because I prefer the Avago, but it will be on a well-known French site in our area.
the Cisco AOC here:
NEW Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M Active Optical Cable assembly 1M NEU Sealed | eBay
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