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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.

 

sls883
sls883 OP
1,058 posts
 

I listened to my system for several hours yesterday with the fiber optic converter. I felt that the sound was softer and warmer.  I wasn't sold on the sound. 

This afternoon, I took it out of my system and could immediately tell the difference.  It sounds better without the converter.  At this point, I like things as they are, so I'm not sure that I want to try a better converter.  This converter was free, so I figured I'd give it a shot. 

lanx0003
1,945 posts
 

While fiber links provides benefit of galvanic isolation, the optical–electrical conversion process in inexpensive converters may negatively adds jitter / phase noise.

foggyus91's avatar
foggyus91
612 posts
 

Cheap converters suck, period. You get what you pay for... Looking at you digital chain you do need to spend some $$$ 

sls883 OP
1,058 posts
 

My ASUS wireless router is only a few feet away from my network switch.  I'm connected to it with a Audioquest Cinnamon Ethernet cable.  The switch is a few feet away from my streamer.  It's connected with a DH Labs Reunion Cat8 cable.

I don't understand how galvanic isolation provided by fiber optic conversion would help in my situation?  I don't have any long cable runs. 

sns
4,218 posts
 

@sls883 Routers are generally the noisiest component in streaming chain, general use network switches don't offer galvanic isolation. As for switches, I''m not alone in finding them redundant and of no benefit, this with audiophile switch. Long LAN cable runs not the issue here, optimization of connectivity is where galvanic isolation comes in, optical is superior in this regard.

 

Like everything else in streaming chain, optimal implementation of every component in chain required for optimal sound quality. Cheap FMC is not even close to hearing full benefits of optical conversion, this assuming one has quality streamer and dac.

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