Attention, that is not a CISCO cable!
On the modules it says “addon” and in the description it says “Cisco compatible”.
Check on the Cisco website what it looks like and what product code it has.
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Good point, I was fooled by the label on the top of the box.
I’m new to having hi tech dac and streamer, i just purchase the rs130 and rd160. From what i have read here the amphenol is not a fiber cable and has been noted to sound great and no connection issue.
Is the concensus that changing the sfp transceiver to use fibre is suppose to be better due to no signal interference?
Today I tested a high quality AES/EBU cable versus the Amphenol. The AES/EBU end up performing better but the Amphenol did a very good job for it’s price. If you are looking for best the result for the price, stick with Amphenol. If you are looking for the ultimate result no matter what, there is better option BUT at a much higher price tag.
The message was not about your post PatriceP, but about joyofmvid’s post with the link “SFP-10G-AOC2M-AO | Cisco® | DACs & AOCs” [Cisco® SFP-10G-AOC2M Compatible TAA Compliant 10GBase-AOC SFP+ Active Optical Cable (850nm, MMF, 2m)]
This item has been ordered as a genuine. Will report results.
Amphenol DAC cable arrived !
I have replaced the unstable Finisar SFP optical link with the Amphenol copper cable.
No major differences found, so I definitively switch to the Amphenol DAC cable.
Thanks PatriceP for the suggestion !
my present setup:
2 ch system in parallel bi-amping mode
streamer Rose RS130
dac Rose RD160
tube pre-amp Primaluna EVO 400
mid-high frequences dual mono power tube amplifiers Primaluna EVO 400
low frequences power amp Anthem STR
external clock 75 ohm 10MHz (streamer, dac, ethernet switch synch) LHY-OCK2
switch LHY SW6-SFP with Finisar SFP
main louspeakers B&W 802D
7.4.2 Home Theater system
above plus:
processor Anthem AVM90
2 x Anthem MCA525 power amp
blu ray player Panasonic BD-UB9000EGK
center Klipsch RC64C surround, back, 4 x atmos loudspeakers Klipsch RP-502S
2 X Subwoofers SB-3000
64" ultraHD 4k TV Panasonic TX-HZ1500E
power and cable:
2 x main filter and 230Vac conditioners Keces BP-5000
All signal, speakers and power cables are Viablue
music storage and net
NAS Synology DS923+
10 Gbps Ethernet LAN via optical fiber and Microtik switches
WiFi 7 Netgear Orbi system
Well… all this has made a huge jump thanks to the two first components: Rose RS130+RD160
… and … finally with the Amphenol link
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Do you prefer to use a prima luna preamp as oppose to rd160 as preamp?
Not really,
- I can bypass the tube preamp, but is in the chain to combine the 2 channel stereo and the Home Theater system.
- The tube pre-amp act also as XLR input selector by switching the RS130 or the AVM90
- I love the magic tube sound
Giubio,
Your setup is very similar to mine except that I use a LAiV DAC instead of the RD 160. I’m considering purchasing an RD 160. Can you tell me how the RD 160 sounds to you? Because it uses the AKM chips vs the ESS chips, I’m concerned that it has the somewhat hard sound of the Chinese chip DACS vs ladder DACS. I like a very wide sound stage and an accurate but not “hard” presentation.
StandardModel
Hi StandardModel,
Remembered I purchased the Laiv DAC after seeking opinion from you? I replaced it with the RD160 and I can assure you that the RD160 is a lot better than Laiv.
I am not saying that the Harmony DAC is no good. It’s just the RD160 is a better match with the RS130, especially with SFP connections. It excels the Harmony DAC in every aspect IMO.
I agree with you that Laiv is a little warmer than the RD160 in presentation. But the RD160 is not at all “cold and harsh”.
The background from Laiv is pretty dark. The RD160 is a lot darker. And the music stage is wide and airy.
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TomT,
Yes, I do remember. If the background of the RD 160 is even darker than the LAiV then I’m sold.
My next issue has to do with whether I just buy the RD 160 and add it to the RS 130 or do I sell the RS 130 and go with the RS 151 which is an all-in-one. It seems to have pretty much of the combined features of the RS 130 and the RD 160 except it has the ESS (less desirable IMHO) chip.
Thoughts?
StandardModel
Ciao Standard Model,
I never made a comparison between ESS Sabre and AKM chips, but I can affirm that the chips themselves are not (for me) the reference tag of the DAC as a whole apparatus.
Besides the hardware chips, these device have in fact a second important characteristic: the software with which they are programmed, so, from my point of view the choice of the hardware chip is not relevant.
Moreover, the digital to analog converter chip is only one of the hundreds of component installed in the DAC devices and - since I am a technician operating in noises & sound analysis, both in hardware and software fields - I can ensure you that the DAC chip is nothing compared to the other aspects of the project.
Said that: the RD160 sound is great !
Deep, clean, clear and decidedly dynamic bass.
Mid-frequency with a decidedly realistic presence, tangible voices.
The high range is crystalline, detailed, never hard and never dry or snappy.
The entire audio range is airy, harmonious.
The RD160 combined with the RS130 and the Amphenol copper Direct Attachment Cable connection, it makes the entire soundstage come alive, as if the artists were really in front of the listening point.
My two main B&W 802D speakers have built-in twitters that provide a very, maybe even “too” detailed sound and in the past I have often had a feeling of discomfort and listening fatigue.
This is why I created the horizontal bi-amping using two mono tube amplifiers for the high range and the Anthem STR for the low range.
However, only with the addition of the RD160 did I reach the peak of listening satisfaction.
If you ask me for advice, here it is: go easy with the Rose RD160.
You will be as enthusiastic as I am.
Hello StandardModel, FYI I see The Music Room in Colorado sells the RD160. They have a 30-day no questions asked return policy no restock fee. I’ve done a good bit of business with them (that’s where I bought my RS130) and had to use the return policy once. No questions asked.
Just ordered at Mouser.com the Amphenol DAC cables as mentioned here to replace 4 x Finisar1318 on 10Gtek FC cables as follows:
1 x 5m between Trendnet FC converter <-> SotM10 switch
1 x 2m between Sotm10 <-> RS130
The 2m will be delivered in March, the 5m will arrive next week, so i begin with that one first.
What i’m asking myself : What about the fact of galvanic isolation here ?
I’m very much looking forward what will approve.
Located in germany. RS130 → I2s → Holo Audio Cyan 2 → Primare SPA25 → KEF R11
Thinking of RD160
Chiao Giubio,
Your English is superb! My wife was before retirement a Latin and Greek teacher and then 3rd Level department head for ESL. I get a dose of languages at home.
I’m an Electrical Engineer and patent attorney but in computers. I’ve worked with a childhood friend for many years who was a sound engineer. He designed a number of amplifiers and speakers. We have discussed and agree with your point that the DAC chip isn’t everything but it is the implementation of it that makes a difference. I got well and truly roasted on Amir’s site for suggesting that there could be any difference in DACs other than the measurable distortion.
Still, I think that there is more to a DAC than distortion measurements. I have a feeling that this relates to transient response and reproductions of harmonics but I haven’t done any research other than with my ears.
You didn’t say anything about going to the RS 151. Do you have any opinion on that option?
I think am going to take your advice and go with the RD 160.
StandardModel
I haven’t heard the RS151 so I can’t say how good it is. Price performance wise, of course, the RS151 is the winner.
From the materials I read, the optic fiber connection is done within the machine in the RS151, correct me if I am wrong.
Many of us found that different SFP, fiber cables and DAC cables have great impacts on the SQ of the RS130+Rd160 compo. This is one aspect the RS151 wouldn’t be able to enjoy.
When you compare the inside circuitries of the two, you’ll agree why the RD160 is the flagship.
I was a user of the RS150B, which is a decently good machine. I quite like it. In the beginning, I didn’t believe the RS130 as a pure streamer could be better than it until I really auditioned it.
Well, if you can find a way to test the RD160 at home with you RS130, it would be a lot easier for you to decide if it is the DAC for you or not.
Lastly and the most importance: our comments are merely references to you. You really need to hear it yourself, not by imagination from our opinions. 
But many often, we make decisions based on imaginations. 
About my English… I am an Italian and I try to write as best as I can, but I am aware that despite my efforts, my English will always be an Italianized one.
However, I hope you can excuse me for any grammatical errors.
The RS151 could be an alternative to the RS 130, but sometimes we need to stop and take a breather.
If we are always chasing technology, our HiFi system will never be completed.
Just a little note on my setup:
One of the most important component I have placed in the chain is the External Clock type LHY Audio OCK-2.
The LHY OCK-2 master clock synchronizes three components of the system:
- the Rose RD160 DAC
- the Rose RS130 streamer
- the LHY Isolated Audio Switch SW-6 SFP
I had tried to build an external clock (the DIY - Do It Yourself - is one of my favorite hobbies) but I had to give up for reasons regarding interference and ground loops that for 10 MHz TTL signals are catastrophic if not well treated.
The experience gained has however allowed me to decide on the LHY model because I consider it well engineered and has an excellent quality/price ratio and the type of signal, 50/75 ohm - Square or Sinusoidal Waves.
The external 10MHz clock @ 50 ohm with a square wave signal is the most problematic for the RD160 and the Switch SW-6 SPF, while the 10MHz clock @ 75 ohm sine wave is well accepted for all my three devices (DAC, Streamer, switch).
With the External Clock @ 10MHz, 75 ohm, Sinusoidal signal, gone are the characteristic pops and crackles of tracks listened to with systems that use their own internal clock.
If you wish to implement a giant leap forward in the quality of digital playback, add an external clock to your system. It will definitely be money well spent.
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Giubio,
Not to get into politics but I’m a big fan of Giorgia Meloni.
Thanks for the good advice. I 'm not sure my children will feel the same as I’m spending their inheritance on my hobby.
One of my hobbies is DIY as well. In the late 70’s I built a 4 gigahertz satellite receiver and a three meter antenna. I had to order the Low Noise Amplifier transistors from Japan and before I realized how sensitive they were, I blew one out with just the electricity in my hands. They were $80.00 each! Anybody who has done DIY has smelled that acrid smoke when wires are crossed and things melt.
Based on your sage advice I’ve gone ahead and purchased the RD 160 DAC. I look forward to hearing the sound. I’ve been very happy with my LAiV but maybe the bling will be accompanied by a better sound in the RD 160.
StandardModel
When you get your Rose RD160, you’ll have a tough job ahead of you: you’ll have to listen to all your favorite songs again, because you’ll discover that there were sounds and details you’d never heard before.
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