SOtM sNH-10G - SOtM’s first network switch

[Superdad]

1 hour ago, LowMidHigh said:

I'm being recommended the ISO CAT6. Does it really make a difference or is it a close kin of the snake oil family? 

 

Thirsty for some input... 

 

Well from photos (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/sotm2/3.html) you can see that the iSO-CAT6 is a passive device based on an Ethernet transformer module which is surrounded by a network capacitors and diodes.

So while that is not active full digital isolation, it likely has the effect of providing additional blocking of leakage—beyond that provided by the transformers present at every Ethernet port.

 

BTW, according to someone here at CA who met with the SOtM engineer at a recent show, their sNH-100G switch is based on the iSO-CAT6 tech.

 

Hope that helps a little.

[Superdad]

51 minutes ago, LowMidHigh said:

Notwithstanding the advantages of precision clocking in the time domain, my common sense and schooling point to a more sober conclusion when the application is network packats (I outlined my thought process above) . If you wish to educate me otherwise, I'm ready and willing. 

 

We actually we do believe that low-phase noise clocking is important in Ethernet and USB, and John is working on his measurement system to prove how and why it affects the DAC output (hint, its a bit to do with clock edges and PS bounce on the planes of downstream receiving devices).

That's why we are using a Crystek CCHD-575 in the EtherREGEN (as we do in the ISO REGEN).  Despite Crystek's modestly and conservative stance (the published graphs don't show it), the actual production 575s are running in the -108 to -112 dBc/Hz at 10Hz offset.  That is extraordinary for a $10 clock! [As an aside, SOtM has never published phase-noise performance figures for the sCLK-EX clock synthesizer board used in all their "Ultra" models and in their new switch.  It can only be as good as whatever custom crystal they use as input to the Silicon Labs synth chip/]

 

Our stance going into any project is do all the important things really well, and not to go overboard in areas that might not deserve it.  With EtherREGEN we are focused on very special active isolation AND clocking.  And by isolation we are not just referring to blockage of network AC leakage currents, as most of that we are handling effectively with selection of magnetics and PHY.

 

I know this is not the thread for us to be discussing our product in.  I just want to avoid mis-information about what we are doing and our goals.  When the time comes we will explain much more--likely with a block diagram.

 

Lastly, to be clear, we are including (at no extra charge) the input for a 10Mhz reference clock because who knows, it might turn out to be a worthwhile (if expensive unless someone already has a ref clock) up-tick in SQ.  Time will tell. (that's a clock pun, sorry ).

 

 

[Superdad]

3 hours ago, EnjoyTheMusicNow said:

Finally - I apologize if this seems off topic but if someone has used both of these devices with the SOtM master clock and confirms that they are complimentary it is my full intent to run SOtM sms200 ultra neo, USBultra and the sNH-10G all under control of the SOtM master clock and all feeding the Chord M scaler and DAC.

 

No offense, but are you really considering adding close to $13,000 of devices (not even counting power supplies!) to feed your $1,900 Chord Qutest DAC? 

That seems a bit out of balance.  You might want to start slower.

Jist my $0.02.

[Superdad]

2 hours ago, ChrisG said:

Ok, now, let's get back to the SOtM sNH-10G (name kinda rolls off the tongue...not) - any further updates from owners? 😉

 

Well I'm obviously not an sNH-10G owner, but I did just speak with @Bruce Orr, who is successfully using an UltraCap LPS-1.2 to power his new SOtM switch.  So that's a confirmed match.