Fiber Optic isolation causing listening fatigue

First Lumin, MSB and Playback Designs, and now almost all serious streamer manufacturers are emphasizing fiber optic inputs, I have been using that input on my Lumin X1 for years, the difference in noise floor is so noticeable that even my tone deaf wife can easily tell between LAN and fiber optic inputs. The listening fatigue the OP reports is a real thing for some when switching to fiber optic, personal preference and hearing sensitivities are legit reasons, I don’t see this topic as controversial; the OP is wondering if there is a problem somewhere that can be fixed, I would say NO since the fatigue showed up only after the switch to fiber optic. Of course the synergy of the system could be tweaked if he upgraded another component in his system, but why do that when he was enjoying his system prior to his onset of upgradeitis? We should not encourage upgradeitis UNLESS the $ and joy associated with being a gearhead is confirmed by the OP. Just my 2 cents of course.

I have never had that experience AT ALL! On the contrary after installing high grade switches and FMC's my noise floor went to ZERO, Then again, I am using market leading brand equipment like Uptone Audio EtherRegen and Sonore modules. You get what you pay for, so consider it is not the "genre" or concept but rather equipment. And I have VERY resolving equipment, including an Antipodes K41 server and K22 Player feeding a Lyngdorf MP-60 with thousands invested in Lumniscate cables in conjunction with AQ Niagara 5000 units (2). 

There are, as others have suggested, alternatives but one would have to pay me to abandon my optical network. 

One the things I haven't seen mentioned yet are the types of SFP cable implementations that are available:

- DAC: DAC cable are direct attached cable with copper throughout so there is no transceivers (or isolation) between SFP endpoints. Good for short SFP+ runs on higher (10Gb) speeds. I use this for the connection from my 10Gb (Unifi) switch to the NAS (on its own VLAN).

-ACC: Active copper cables include an active signal driver or equalizer chip added inside the cable endpoints. Can be noisy/jittery.

- AOC: Active optical cables are fiber but have no external mechanical connection between the transceiver and the fiber - it's a completrely integrated cable. I chose a 5m AOC cable from Coherent/Finisar (FCBG110SD1C05). It provides the quality of the Finisar transceivers combined with factory bonded connection to the fiber. Very good cable.

- SFP modules & Fiber - Always great for custom flexibility.

I used the AOC cable with a Startech media converter. Wasn't impressed. Added a linear power supply and *wow*, what an improvment.

Ended up getting the LHY FMC media converter and now I'll never go back to ethernet. Love it.

> Streamer is Matrix Element S to a Holo May Dac.

I’ve tried a host of different strategies to optimize my streaming signal and settled on an optical moat comprised of two sonore opticalmodule deluxe powered by sBooster power supplies with finisar FMCs, high quality ethernet cables and RJ45 into my EMM one box DV2.  It is not lifeless but organic and detailed.  I have numerous and various other gizmos, cables, filters and sundry other stuff I’ve forgotten about sitting in boxes. 

It’s fun to experiment and there seems to be quite a variety of results folks get so you of course need to use your own ears; after all they are what you use to listen to music.