How can I improve my Ethernet setup?

[hpfish]

Here is my current setup:

Office: Dell i7/SSD Flac files/Roon—>Comcast modem/router ->50ft cat5–>Hifi room: TPLink switch—>40 feet CAT 7–>Lumin U1mini—>DAC

The SQ is decent, but I think can be improved.   
I have tried fiber optics Converters and Wifi, but did not like SQ.

Any suggestions to improve SQ of my current set up would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[hpfish]

3 hours ago, creativepart said:

What DAC? Connecting via USB or what? Is that connection a long run too?

I have PS Audio DS Sr DAC, 1M USB connection from it to Lumin U1 Mini.

Why only Cat 5 from modem to the HiFi Room. Should be 5e or 6 shouldn't it?

I recheck and it's Cat 6E from modem to HiFi room.

Thanks

[hpfish]

On 3/24/2020 at 11:20 PM, pas said:

Why the 50 foot cable followed by a 40 foot cable?

 

When I built the hifi room years ago I ran the 50ft cable from upstrairs to the back of the hifi room, but my audio component rack is in front of the room.

[hpfish]

Thanks you all for your input.

Based on your suggestions, I have taken the following steps and have improved SQ a good notch:

- replace the switch in my HT room with the Cisco 2960 switch- less interference noise.

- use CAT8 cable from the Cisco to Lumin streamer.  I was surprised that this has made good impact (for the better)  to SQ.

- insert the Matrix SPDIF2/IFI power supply after the Lumin with I2S connection to my PS Audio DS DAC, this yields expanded sound stage and dead silent background.   Just had this yesterday so it might need more burn in time to really assess impact.

- move listening position 6 inches closer to my speakers- more immersive experience to recording.

- insert Velodyne F1500 sub to improved LF.

 

Revised setup with full list of downstream components:

Office: Dell i7/SSD Flac files/Roon—>Comcast modem/router ->50ft cat6e–>Hifi room: Cisco 2960—>40 feet CAT 8–>Lumin U1mini->WW Platinum USB—>Matrix spdif2/Ifipower supply-> generic  I2S HDMI cable->PS Audio DS DAC(Shunyata power cable)->Purist Audio Venustas IC->Conrad Johnson ACT2.2 preamp->Purist Audio Venustas IC->Wolcott P220 monos tubes amp->Transparent cables->Wilson Maxx2 speakers or SoundLab A1.

My other source is Ayre cx5mp universal player.

 

Possible next steps:

- add a NAS to increase storage and might enhance SQ.

- upgrade power supply for the Matrix.

- upgrade power supply for the Lumin streamer.

- Better i2S cable.

- revisit fiber optic option, connect the Cisco to a FCM switch next to Lumin.

- Others?

 

Thanks.

 

[hpfish]

Updates and following up.

Installed Uptone LPS 1.2 power supply for the Matrix.

 

I am working on this step:

revisit fiber optic option, connect the Cisco to a FCM switch next to Lumin.

 

I ordered and installed the following:

TP-LINK TL-SM311LS Gigabit SFP module, Single-mode into  Cisco 2960G switch and the TP-Link Fiber MC220L converter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CFATYW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CFATL0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

LC to LC Fiber cable

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T89Q8QY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I am not sure if the above components fully compatible with my Cisco switch or not, but NO data signal passed through to the TP-Link media converter to my Lumin streamer.

 

What did I do wrong?  Do I need to configure the Cisco to use the SFP output port?   And How?

 

I would appreciate any suggestions to make the above setup work.  Thanks