Finisar SFP+ Modules for Audio Grade Network Switch (Group Buy for Audiophilestyle.com)

[MartinT]

The Cisco AOC after 24 hours is sounding smooth and inviting with an all-time low in sibilance. It consistently stops me from analysing and gets me back to enjoying the music.

It does the detail, the dynamics, the bass every bit as well as the Finisar AOC, but it's more beguiling.

[Blake]

On 4/12/2023 at 11:01 PM, MartinT said:

I'll be interested in the outcome.

 

When I inserted FTLX1475D3BTL to connect my two daisy-chained SOtM switches, this SFP+ isn't working.  

 

Ethernet > SOtM 10G switch > FTLX1475D3BTL > SOtM 10G switch > Ethernet

 

Finisar FCBG110SD1C05 works without any issues in this same position.

 

Cisco AOC just arrived today, and it is working perfectly, connecting my two SOtM switches.   I am cooking it now, then I'll do some comparisons.  I wish I could get FTLX1475D3BTL working.  I might try a different cable to connect them.

 

 

 

 

[GryphonGuy]

I havr the Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL in my SOtM sNH-10G switch running at 1Gb/s no worries at all. I use the yellow jacketed single mode fibre. Also make sure the transceiver is clicked in ALL THE WAY. push hard as it may feel like the end of travel for the gentleman but firmly inserted and with single-mode fibre they work just fine.

 

Make sure you have your LED lights turned on (power switch on sNH-10G in the up position) and check that there is a connection LED on the far right of the front panel and that the associated data activity LED is blinking.

[audiophilac]

4 minutes ago, GryphonGuy said:

I havr the Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL in my SOtM sNH-10G switch running at 1Gb/s no worries at all. I use the yellow jacketed single mode fibre. Also make sure the transceiver is clicked in ALL THE WAY. push hard as it may feel like the end of travel for the gentleman but firmly inserted and with single-mode fibre they work just fine.

 

Make sure you have your LED lights turned on (power switch on sNH-10G in the up position) and check that there is a connection LED on the far right of the front panel and that the associated data activity LED is blinking.

What happens after you power cycle/reboot the switch?

is there any impact to network connectivity?

[GryphonGuy]

1 hour ago, audiophilac said:

What happens after you power cycle/reboot the switch?

is there any impact to network connectivity?

 

The simple answer is the switch powers off and back on again. There is an impact to network connectivity whilst the switch is off and whilst it reboots.

 

In my particular network, I run a 10Gb/s main switch with the port connected to the SOtM manually set to 1Gb/s. So when the SOtM switch comes up fully, I hot-swap the Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL in the SOtM switch and the 1Gb/s link comes up, like it has to handshake again at the 1Gb/s speed. The fibre link from SOtM to my main switch does not come up by itself. Hot-swap in this context means I withdraw the transceiver whilst the SOtM switch is powered on (by removing the cable then the transceiver itself and reassembling the cable into the transceiver and reinserting the entire assembly into the SOtM SFP port.

 

Perhaps this is something @Blakecould try this as well on both the SOtM switches.

 

My network is up 24/7 on battery backup so this hot-swap event is a rarity for me.

[audiophilac]

Exactly the same experience here. 

[Blake]

@GryphonGuy  Thanks for the input here. I'll give your method a try and see if it works.  

 

 

[Blake]

I finally had a chance to compare the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M directly to the Finisar FCBG110SD1C05.  This could be system dependent, but the Cisco beat the Finisar.  Comparatively, the Finisar is quite a bit brighter/thinner sounding.  The Cisco is much more dense, solid, smooth and every bit as detailed and transparent.  Cisco has a much higher realism factor.  It really was no contest for me.  It is surprising how different they sound.  

 

I have a Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL burning in now.  It connected my two daisy-chained SOtM 10G switches without any hiccups.

 

 

 

 

 

[lxgreen]

@blake, I’ve had the Cisco in my system for several months and very happy compared to my previous Finisar.

[Blake]

Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL vs. Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M:

 

My system, preferences, yada yada...

 

First off, I am using the recommended Corning Gold cable with the FTLF1318P3BTL.  FTLF1318P3BTL is superior to the Finisar FCBG110SD1C05, and again I liked the latter, that is until I heard the Cisco and 1318P3BTL.  Now, I couldn't go back.  Comparatively, the 1318P3BTL doesn't have the same issues with veering too far toward a bright, lean and edgy sound.  I also think the 1318P3BTL is more refined, more transparent, with a better sound stage.  Easy win for the 1318P3BTL.

 

Now for a comparison with the Cisco.  The overall center of gravity is pulled more toward the mids and lower frequencies with the Cisco, whereas the FTLF1318P3BTL overall center of gravity is further up the frequency spectrum to mids/highs, if that makes sense.  Cisco has a smoother, rounder, lusher, meatier sound, while still being detailed and transparent.  Cisco sound staging is grander, much deeper, and set back further from the speaker plane as compared to FTLF1318P3BTL.  Overall the Cisco has a very sophisticated, refined, luxurious sound, but not in a rolled off, old school warm and gooey sense.  It still delivers the audiophile goods.  

 

FTLF1318P3BTL is more overtly detailed, and the overall sense of clarity/transparency is more noticeable, but it doesn't go over the top toward being too clinical, or too bright/glassy/edgy.  It is more caffeinated and energetic than the Cisco.

 

1318P3BTL may appeal more to the brain, Cisco more toward the soul, using terminology from audio reviewers.  In the end, both options are very, very good and I am so glad I decided to experiment.  Otherwise I'd be missing out on the superior sound of the Cisco and 1318P3BTL, thinking the FCBG110SD1C05 was as good as it gets.   This is one where you really need to try in your system as I could see this cutting either way.  In the end, I am going with the Cisco as the daily driver, but also keeping the 1318P3BTL.     

 

[MartinT]

15 hours ago, Blake said:

Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL vs. Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M:

 

 

Now for a comparison with the Cisco.  The overall center of gravity is pulled more toward the mids and lower frequencies with the Cisco, whereas the FTLF1318P3BTL overall center of gravity is further up the frequency spectrum to mids/highs, if that makes sense.  Cisco has a smoother, rounder, lusher, meatier sound, while still being detailed and transparent.  Cisco sound staging is grander, much deeper, and set back further from the speaker plane as compared to FTLF1318P3BTL.  Overall the Cisco has a very sophisticated, refined, luxurious sound, but not in a rolled off, old school warm and gooey sense.  It still delivers the audiophile goods. 

 

I couldn't agree more, the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M is without doubt the best optical AOC I've used and it remains in place. Fantastic soundstage, lightning fast dynamics but without the relentless edginess and brightness of the Finisar AOC.

[kostas6a3]

Has anyone tried connecting the FTLX1475D3BTL with LC/APC fiber and if so what are the differences?

[kostas6a3]

Thanks for your answer.

The third link is the most informative. I'm already testing a fiber Phoenix Contact  LPS/APC with the 1475 and the results in SQ are a bit more resolution and better description of the instruments but with less body compared to the UPC.

Compatibility is not mentioned in the 1475 specifications.

finisar_ftlx1475d3btl_rohs-6_compliant_10g_10km_1310nm_single_mode_datacom_sfp_transceiver_productspecrevb1_0.pdf

[dancause]

 I’ve used since 2021 the Cisco AOC, the 1475 and recently the 1475APC. 
 

The 1475APC is a bit more detailed than the regular 1475. 
 

I’ve had the Cisco AOC since before the 1475 and thought it was very good.however the 1475 and the APC won over it because of its forward bass and details (at the cost of some meaty lushness). However, since adding a waversa Ethernet filter, the real deal and the real meat is with the Cisco. In my system context, it has THE best balance between realism, bass and details). 
 

This is, I would think, is highly dependent on the system and on Ethernet signal treatment.. 
 

my 2cents. 

[audiophilac]

20 minutes ago, dancause said:

 I’ve used since 2021 the Cisco AOC, the 1475 and recently the 1475APC. 
 

The 1475APC is a bit more detailed than the regular 1475. 
 

I’ve had the Cisco AOC since before the 1475 and thought it was very good.however the 1475 and the APC won over it because of its forward bass and details (at the cost of some meaty lushness). However, since adding a waversa Ethernet filter, the real deal and the real meat is with the Cisco. In my system context, it has THE best balance between realism, bass and details). 
 

This is, I would think, is highly dependent on the system and on Ethernet signal treatment.. 
 

my 2cents. 

Did you use an APC cable with 1475? There isn’t a 1475 module specific for APC, right?

[dancause]

I’ve used the Afterdark APC modules+cable. They came as a kit. So I can’t tell. I would not believe so. 

[sandston]

 I've had the Finnisar FCBG110SD1C05 between my etherregen and opticalrendu for quite some time now. Didnt think to much about it. After reading the above posts I decided to give the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M a try. To be honest I was quite shocked at how readily I noticed the difference. The descriptions above are spot on. The Cisco is darker with a decided emphasis and meat in the mids and bass regions. I enjoyed the lush romantic character of the Cisco but in my system I miss life and sparkle that the Finisar brings to the table. I came across a quote from Adrian at AfterDark regarding these two AOC cables. He recommends the Cisco for solid state systems and the Finisar for tube systems. I would say I see his point and would agree. YMMV. I have ordered a pair of the Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL's and some corning glass cable with APC ends to try. This digital tweaking never ceases to amaze me. 1's and 0's my hindquarters.

[GryphonGuy]

Digital transmissions are in fact all analogue facsimiles of digital. Hence why so much variation is heard in audio signal transmissions even in the "digital" realm.

[audiophilac]

Any comparison between Cisco AOC and FTLX1475?

[Johnnydev]

See the intro from afterdark and he has it right, i had them both.

[mikicasellas]

I just received this morning my Cisco SFP-10G-AOC and I can only say two things...

 

1 - How is it possible that the sound of my entire system has been transformed by the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC ?

 

Sweet but detailed highs and better & deeper bass, soundstage and its just so balanced and even a cleaner presentation, I can hear every detail on strings, cymbals and main voice even with other voices ( chorus ) on the back all at the same time without a hint of being all glued or fatiguing , the most impactful change since my Lampi DAC, very nice addition that has eliminated the need to change other gear that I was assuming it could potentially be causing those unsatisfactory outcomes...

 

2 - It was only a matter of replacing the Finisar 1321 + Corning cable  ( thin, sometimes too bright, unbalanced sound in general )

I can say this with all confidence cause the CISCO is showing this to me 😋

 

 

 

My findings reflect exactly what others exactly have shared here

 

🙏

 

 

[AfterDark.]

Hello! 

 

We shall provide some more information on this Finisar, they have different grade even they have same 1475 part number. The last three letter will help customer to differentiate the models for each customer sectors. We recommended the best grade with BTL - Industrial Grade for Audiophile. The price is acending in repect to quality to build the laser components inside. 

 

Part number: FTLX1475D3BTL SFP+ Modules  

• Finisar have release 3 different models FTLX1475D3XXX for market segments (Enterprise Grade, Datacenter grades and Industrial Grade) the outlooks is a little bit different on the metal handle at the back. 
• So when we look at the details on the product specification at Finisar. We can summarised with different models is referring to:
  • FTLX1475D3BCL ->  Enterprise Grade ($)      
  • FTLX1475D3BNL ->  Datacenter Grade  ($$)
  • FTLX1475D3BTL ->  Industrial Grade ($$$) This model is in highest specification with better quality on laser components and better build with various tests. The result is ultra low latency on signal transfer for Audio. Image is more refined and details. 

Project Constellation FIBER - AfterDark (adark.co)

 

Thanks and have a nice day.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark.

[AfterDark.]

Hi! 

 

Thanks for your information and questions. 

 

We would like to take the opportunity to provide more details on this Cisco AOC product. The product code is SFP-10G-AOC1M and was documented at Cisco web page. 

 

The product specification as attached is provide with a very high resolution module product photo which customer can compared to. 

 

 

 

The cisco label is useful to see genuine color shift feature. The color shifting bar changing between gold and green in the below video is identified. 

 

IMG_1938.MOV

 

 

Thanks and have a nice weekend.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

 

 

SFP-10G-AOC1M.pdf