Fiber Ethernet Converter vs. opticalModule Deluxe

[tseipel]

Good morning and happy holidays,

 

Would someone be so kind as to explain the differences between the Fiber Ethernet Converter and opticalModule Deluxe? I currently have AT&T U-Verse Fiber Internet coming into my house and being routed through the AT&T Network Gateway (Motorola NVG589). I have cable ethernet connections to my two music servers, one of which is an Aurender N10 and the other is a WS2019/AO3.0/FidelizerPro/Roon Core PC. I also have a handful of Raspberry Pis acting as Roon Bridges, which are connected wirelessly to an AmpliFi Mesh Wi-Fi System, which itself is connected to the Motorola via cable ethernet. I would like to improve the sonics of the Aurender and the PC, which I assume means purchasing two modules. What other products should I consider? I already have my DACs (Chord Hugo for headphone PC and McIntosh D100 for Aurender).

 

I apologize for the long-windedness and appreciate any insight.

 

Best,

Tim

[ericuco]

For Fiber Ethernet Converter, are you thinking about some like the TP Link MC220L? If so, then the Sonore opticalModule Deluxe does the same thing, it is just a higher-end device in terms of price and performance (better SQ can be achieved).

 

Another product that has been getting rave reviews is the Uptone EtherREGEN which is a high-end switch. There are several threads here on AS that discuss the EtherREGEN if you are interested.

 

Another Sonore product is the opticalRendu which can be used a Roon endpoint. It has a fiber port so no need to use a converter from fiber to copper Ethernet.

 

Another option to consider is adding a fiber optic NIC (network interface card), like an Intel X520-DA1, to your PC, assuming it can accept cards.

 

Lastly, it somewhat depends on how your house and equipment are laid out can dictate which way to go.

 

Overall, tons of options to consider. Just need to understand the costs and efforts involved. I am a huge fiber optics fan so I have gone that route but lots of other ways to do the same thing.

[tseipel]

Thanks for the knowledge Eric. I appreciate it.

 

Best,

Tim

[kennyb123]

I started with an EtherRegen downstream and a Startech FMC upstream.  Replacing the Startech FMC with an opticalModule was very worthwhile move - especially when combined with the Finisar SFPs mentioned here.

[agillis]

You want a cheap media converter like the TP-link or startech on the "dirty" end of the fiber and the opticalModule on the "clean" end just before the equipment you are trying to isolate.

 

The fiber removes all the Analog noise on the Ethernet including an noise from the media converter. You just need a VERY short Ethernet cable from the opticalModule to the device to isolate.

 

Here is a good picture of how it works.

 

 

[sot13]

Thank you @agillis. I recently got an OM Deluxe. For the little (I 'll explain) I have listened, it appears a worthwhile upgrade. My setup is virtually exactly the same as depicted in your picture above whereby the OM is connected to a TP-Link MC220L on the "dirty end" and to my Network player/DAC on the "clean" side.

However, I have the following puzzling issue: Following your advice as well as my previous experience with the TP-link Mc200Mc I was using, I connected the OM deluxe with a very short ethernet cable (about 2.5 inches). The result was that my network player/DAC connected with OM, would not even get an IP address...

To cut a long story short and following several experiments, I come to the conclusion that OM Deluxe is very sensitive to the LENGTH of cable. It appears in my case that the minimum length accepted, is no less than 27 inches!!!

This is very strange to me since the ethernet standard do not place a minimum length requirement. Using such a long cable next to many others somewhat negates the benefit of isolation offered by OM!!!

Have you experienced this, or my unit is faulty so I need to return it?

(PS. I leave in Greece and there is no knowledgeable distributor on technical issues, so I rely on forums....). Thank you

[Axiom05]

I am using an opticalModule not the Deluxe but I have used Cat5e cables as short as 1 foot with no problem (currently using a 2 foot cable). Do you have another short cable that you can try?

[sot13]

1 hour ago, Axiom05 said:

I am using an opticalModule not the Deluxe but I have used Cat5e cables as short as 1 foot with no problem (currently using a 2 foot cable). Do you have another short cable that you can try?

I have several in different lengths (I make them / test them myself). Unfortunately the design between the old OM and the Deluxe is different, so I can not draw any conclusion. Thank you anyway

[agillis]

I'm not sure why that would happen. I do all testing here with a 6" cable and have not had issues. 

 

I wonder if it's an issue with your streamer? It may have problems with short cables.

[sot13]

5 minutes ago, agillis said:

I'm not sure why that would happen. I do all testing here with a 6" cable and have not had issues. 

 

I wonder if it's an issue with your streamer? It may have problems with short cables.

No... It's not a problem with my streamer. As I noted in my previous setup with Mc100Mc, I use a 2.5 inch cable and no issue. In your setup do you connect it to Rendu or a Streamer/DAC. Could you do a small test and let me know the outcome?i.e. Connect it to a third party streamer with a short cable and see how it goes? Thank you! really!