Switching from copper to optical ethernet input for Hifi Rose RS130

Function Eternet & WIFI
#1

I need a list of the parts required to switch from copper to optical fiber Ethernet input. (I am not talking about the streamer to DAC connection.) I will continue to add my understanding as I research until someone says, here’s the best for an audiophile: SPF, fiber model, transceiver model.

  1. SFP: model? single mode is better for audiophiles than multi mode but more expensive. Multimode is fine if your system is not highly revealing. You need two, one for the RS130 input and one for the transceiver output.
  2. Optical fiber: Single mode is better than multimode for audiophiles. “OM” designations refer to multimode cables. “OS2” is the best single mode cable designation. One source says you need an LC-LC, others talk about SPF-LC. What’s correct? (1 or 2 meters should suffice for length.) Note: in multimode, the higher the OM value the better and they’re backward compatible, e.g., OM5 is currently the “best” multimode cable type, better than OM4, OM3, etc. But OS2 is the best single mode cable type currently.
  3. Transceiver: model? RJ45 to fiber optic. Single mode is preferable but more expensive.

These three were included in my previous streamer (Ifi Neo Stream) and it created a much better sound than the copper Ethernet. I have bought a bunch of the above and being new to this SFP technology, made mistakes and nothing works. Thank you for a simple recipe for success using the optimum components in each category, e.g., OS2 instead of OM5. The only solution I’ve seen in this news group involves two other components and, given the Ifi Neo Stream implementation, I believe you only need the transceiver. Thanks!

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#2

Update
Here’s what I discovered. Experts, please correct me. I can only tell you that my optical setup works. I am not an expert–the subject throws you into data center technology (SFP, single mode, etc), which I’d never heard of. But for those of you who want to use an optical INPUT to the Rose RS130, here’s the TL;DR. You need a:

  1. Single-mode base1000-x copper to optical fiber transceiver, The “-X” stands for anything with an “X” in it, like "base1000-CX or base1000-LX. e.g.,
    TP-Link MC220L | Gigabit SFP to RJ45 Fiber Media Converter | Fiber to Ethernet Converter | Plug and Play | Durable Metal Casing | Versatile Compatibility | Auto-Negotiation
  2. Single-mode LC to LC fiber optic cable (1 or 2 meters).
  3. Two SFP (not SFP+) LC modules that work with your transceiver–make sure it says something like, “compatible with TP-link,” if that’s the maker of your transceiver. e.g., H!Fiber 1.25G Single Mode SFP LC Module, 1000Base-LX/LH Fiber Transceiver

I hope this helps. (I never got a response from ROSE customer support.) I will update this as I go.

Misc:

  1. to insert or remove an SFP module, pull down on the bar at the back (outside) of the module. If you’re inserting it into the RS130, insert it–push it kind of hard until it clicks, raise the pulldown bar to its original (up) position, and insert the cable–make sure it clicks into the SFP. To remove the module, remove the cable–by pushing down on the button on the fiber cable that locks it into the SFP, pull down the bar, and pull the SFP from the RS130.
  2. In fiber cable, you have single-mode and multi-mode cables, transceivers, and SFPs. They must all be one or the other. Single-mode is supposed to sound a bit better than multimode, but I can’t confirm this yet.
  3. Is this worth it? The cost is low—$70 for the whole set of optical components. Either your system sounds better than Ethernet over copper, or it doesn’t. If not, return the optical parts to Amazon. In my system, the answer is yes, the components are worth it. I notice increased resolution and clarity. But that’s just in my system; results will vary. Test yours carefully.
  4. Use good copper Ethernet cables to go from your router to your transceiver. The Ethernet cable from Morrow (cheap) provides terrific results and has a 60-day return policy.
  5. OS1 and OS2 are single-mode fiber cables. OS2 is better than OS1. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 are multimode fiber cables. OM5 is the best; OM1 is the worst, and they’re backward compatible.
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#3

Final Update
(I can’t edit the previous version. So, I have to reproduce it here with the additions.)

It’s alive! Here’s what I discovered. Experts, please correct me. I can only tell you that my optical setup works. I am not an expert–the subject throws you into data center technology (SFP, single mode, etc), which I’d never heard of. But for those of you who want to use an optical INPUT to the Rose RS130, here’s the TL;DR. You need a:

  1. Single-mode base1000-x copper to optical fiber transceiver, The “-X” stands for anything with an “X” in it, like base1000-LX. e.g.,
    10GTek Fiber to Ethernet Media Converter, Gigabit Single Mode SFP LC Converter, 1000Base-LX to 10/100/1000M RJ45, SMF, 1310nm, up to 20km (12.4miles)(Amazon.com: Fiber to Ethernet Media Converter, Gigabit Single Mode SFP LC Converter, 1000Base-LX to 10/100/1000M RJ45, SMF, 1310nm, up to 20km (12.4miles) : Electronics)
  2. Single-mode LC to LC fiber optic cable (1 or 2 meters). e.g., FLYPROFiber- 1M/3ft OS2 Single Mode LC to LC Fiber Patch Cable, SM Singlemode Duplex, SMF Fiber Optic Cable Cord, 1G/10GB, 9/125um, LSZH
  3. Two SFP (not SFP+) LC modules that work with your transceiver–make sure it says something like, “compatible with TP-link,” if that’s the maker of your transceiver. e.g., H!Fiber 1.25G Single Mode SFP LC Module, 1000Base-LX/LH Fiber Transceiver. NOTE: the transceiver listed above comes with an SFP module, so you only need to purchase an additional SFP to put into the RS130.

I hope this helps. (I never got a response from ROSE customer support.)

Misc:

  1. To insert or remove an SFP module, pull down on the bar at the back (outside) of the module. If you’re inserting it into the RS130, insert it–push it kind of hard until it clicks, raise the pulldown bar to its original (up) position, and insert the cable–make sure it clicks into the SFP. To remove the module, remove the cable by pushing down on the button on the fiber cable that locks it into the SFP, pulling down the bar, and pulling the SFP from the RS130.
  2. There are single-mode and multi-mode fiber cables, transceivers, and SFPs. They must all be one or the other. Single-mode is supposed to sound a bit better than multimode. I listened to both. There is a SLIGHT improvement for single mode, but it’s not dramatic. In part, this depends on how revealing your stereo system is. The price for the two is about the same so, just go with single mode.
  3. About fiber cables, and this will show you how much of a neophyte I was, they come with 4 small white plugs at both ends of the cable. Remove those before plugging them into the SFPs (unlike what I did, the first 5 times!).
  4. Is it worth changing from copper to optical Ethernet input? YES! The cost is low—$50 for the whole set of optical components. Either your system sounds better than Ethernet over copper, or it doesn’t. If not, return the optical parts to Amazon. In my system, the answer is definitely yes, the optical components improve the sound quality. I notice increased resolution and clarity. But that’s just in my system; results will vary. Test yours carefully.
  5. Use good copper Ethernet cables to go from your router to your transceiver. The Ethernet cable from Morrow (cheap) provides terrific results and has a 60-day return policy.
  6. OS1 and OS2 are designations for single-mode fiber cables. OS2 is better than OS1. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 designate multimode fiber cables. OM5 is the best; OM1 is the worst, and they’re backward compatible.

That’s it! Mystery solved! Enjoy your RS130 and let the music play on!

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