Ethernet to SPF converters. What's your experience?
I recently purchased an Gustard N18pro ethernet switch that I like. The seller included a decent fiber optic cable and a Rj45 to SPF (fiber) converter. The converter is a small box powered by a 5 volt wall wart. Pretty inexpensive.
What have people experienced with these converters? My ethernet cables are pretty good and they are short, so I don't know that I need the benefit of isolating through a fiber optic cable.
Gustard makes a N18 which converts ethernet to fiber. I would guess that it's much better than the little box that I have. Would that be a worthwhile investment? It cost $370.
So, have you hooked up all three — switch, DDC, and DAC — to the external clock? How was the improvement? How does the 3-way connection compare to having the clock synchronized only between the switch and DDC? I heard someone claim that the 2-way connection is better. Could you please verify that? Thanks. |
@lanx0003 I have the clock connected to the N18pro, the U18 ddc, and the X-30 dac. I hooked it up that way from the start and haven't tried any other combination. I like the addition of the N18pro in that configuration. |
My ethernet is hard wired to an eero router. One GB speed. The router runs copper to a Chord 8Switch, powered by its wall wart. The hardwire ethernet is then connected from the switch to a Roon Nucleus and a dCS Bartok DAC. Some time ago I purchased a F/O converter from Little Green Computer that converts the digital to fiber and back again to copper, with a short lead to the DAC. Powered by a separate non-switching supply. I’ve had it in the system multiple times and can hear no difference, so it gets pulled. Less stuff for the signal to go through, the better. My DAC has it’s own isolation process so maybe it’s just not needed.
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