Ethernet to SPF converters. What's your experience?

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.

I have an Infigo Audio IS-1 streamer.  It includes a converter that accepts Ethernet connection and converts it to optical for inputting to my steamer. 

From the Infigo Audio web site “The gigabit fiber optic isolated network connection improves audio quality by eliminating network noise and jitter. This separation between the ‘dirty’ network and the clean audio chain ensures that RF and EMI interference, as well as high-impedance leakage currents from network devices, do not degrade the audio signal. As a result, digital music reproduction is cleaner, quieter, and more transparent, providing a more natural and lifelike sound experience”.  

In summary, my Ethernet source drives a netLINK Ethernet Media Converter model HTB-GS-03 with a fiber optic output driving a fiber optic cable to the streamer.  A 5V wall adapter powers the netLINK.  The streamer’s only digital output is USB to the DAC.  Infigo chose USB as the sole output format because done right it provides ultimate performance.  Any other format would increase cost while limiting bit rate, sample rate and ultimate performance.   

Fiber optic isolation in this case improves audio Quality by eliminating network noise and jitter. This separation between the ‘dirty’ network and the clean audio chain ensures that RF and EMI interference, as well as high-impedance leakage currents from network devices, do not degrade the audio signal. As a result, digital music reproduction is cleaner, quieter, and more transparent, providing a more natural and lifelike sound experience.  

I suggest you test using the converter and see how it sounds.  

@hgeifman I listened to it for a bit last night.  I didn't do an a/b comparison, but it seemed as if the sound was softened a bit.  Detail was still there, but a little less sharp if that makes sense.  I need to do more listening.  It's tough to do a quick a/b comparison because my streamer has a pretty large buffer.  It will continue to play music for a while even when the ethernet cable is disconnected.

Below is a link to the converter.  It's a $20 piece.  I found the cable on another website and it sells for $60 to $70, so it may be ok.  I don't know what the converter is doing internally.  I have a hard time thinking that a $20 box is adequate and wonder if a better converter should be used?  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG48FD5/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=6S7Z98730046XKR0S1AQ&pd_rd_wg=zUtST&pd_rd_w=IDZb3&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pd_rd_r=23b7f430-9bf4-4c03-bb91-c21c16054d98&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

@sls883 

My research says “A $20 Ethernet to optical converter can be okay for basic and short-distance use cases, especially if the speed requirement is Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) and the network distances are modest, up to a few kilometers for multimode fiber. However, spending more money usually gets you better build quality, longer distance support (single mode fiber for tens of kilometers), higher speeds (Gigabit Ethernet), more features like duplex modes, better reliability, and often better warranties. Cheaper converters might be good for casual or home use but may lack durability and advanced performance.

More expensive converters often support gigabit speeds, single mode fiber for long-distance links, better build quality, industry standards, and diagnostic features, which can be worth the investment for professional or critical use”. 

I suggest you use your current converter for 2 weeks and then decide.  I am not familiar with Converters and suggest you do more research.  Hopefully, others reading this post will have more information.  

There are multiple streamers like Esoteric, HiFi Rose, Lumin that have SFP data ports... With something like that you can go direct to your router with SFP+ 10gig fiber, if you have something like a Ubiquiti UDM router.

I just have a shielded CAT7 from my Eero Gateway Pro to my Aurender streamer, it has a double isolated network port.. someday I might invest in a high end switch and expensive patch cords but my system sounds great as is and I mostly listen to my library which is uncompressed music files from the internal SSD so I don’t know if it would be worth it...