The downside of this approach is the noise these devices can introduce into an otherwise clean AC. That's why I stick to passive galvanic Ethernet isolators in my system. On the entrance to my house I use fiber to block surges, but that's all.
Fiber Optic isolation causing listening fatigue
Just curious if others have experienced the issue I'm having. I have a decently resolving system: Aurender N150>Weiss DAC 204>Wyred4Sound Pre>First Watt J2>Omega RS8 monitors. Not being able to leave well enough alone, in a quest for more detail, I decided to isolate my streamer from the router by dropping in two TP Link fiber media converters separated by a fiber optic cable. Well, initially I got the effect I was hoping for: I heard a great deal more detail in my music. I could hear the singer take a breath where I typically couldn't. I heard nuances of music that typically escaped me. In fact the effect wasn't really subtle. There was much more clear instrumentation separation, etc. However, after about an hour of listening, I started noticing a feel of irrititability, just a general annoyance. I told myself "you're just over-caffinated." But I think the added level of clarity was simply causing listener fatigue.
Anyone else experience this with a fiber optic upgrade? Of course the fiber optic cable will not require break in (it is simply passing light through a channel), but maybe the fiber media converters would need time to settle in? I was trying this upgrade as a "proof of concept" thinking that I would upgrade to a Sonore Optical Module Deluxe if I liked the effect. Now I'm not so sure I'll take the risk in spending more money on this.
I guess I'm just curious if anyone has had this experience. Or might have some thoughts?
Thanks,
Tal
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Sadly you are mistaken, what noise is being passed? What is the source? the 902 is a client (only my Zenith is on the client) and is off the grid using Anker 28k in series. I had fiber (HQ Fiber also not the Amazon crap)now it is gone, 2 less boxes and 2 less LPS to make noise. Guess you will never know a truly black background in streaming. @brbrock maybe?? |
I used 2 streams into the Meitner. From my Unifi network switch, I used Ethernet into the RJ45 input of the Meitner. I also had a fibre optic cable connected to the Unifi switch that went into a Sonore OpticalRendu and from that into the Meitner USB. I really wanted my friend to hear the difference since he sells the Meitner DACs, but we got distracted with other fun conversations and gear that others brought to the meet. I am supposed to get the Meitner MA3i for a second longer home demo session. I am going to skip that to go for a demo of the upcoming Allnic ASRA OTL/OCL DAC. I am betting that one will be a superstar. Going to stream fibre to USB, though I think this one has support for i2s. |
I tried an inexpensive fiber-optic rig for my streamer and I didn’t care for it at all. It kind of scrunched the music. Maybe if you spend more...? I don’t know. Maybe it was all the added wall warts and cheap circuitry. I’ll also add that a friend just send me his LHY 6-port network switch to try out. For the past three hours I’ve been comparing it to my $30 TP-Link 8-port switch. I’m sorry (or glad, I guess) to report that I can’t hear a lick of difference between the two. And don’t tell my my system isn’t "resolving" enough. ;-) I’ve easily got $12-15K invested here--ProAcs, Don Sachs-style preamp, high-quality tube monoblocks, IanCanada reclocking streamer, Chord Qutest, Harmonic Tech and Snake River cables, and a well-tuned room. It’s very easy to hear any significant gear changes. But I’ll be damned if I can hear any difference. If you’ve got a similar system--maybe some excellent large bookshelf speaks and decent quality amplification and cabling, I’d say save your money. Next up is an Uptone EtherRegen he also sent. I’m interested to hear if that makes any difference. |
@dogearedaudio |
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