Fibre Isolated Network

Posted by: DaveBk on 12 March 2014

Having posted on this subject on one of the threads about audiophile Ethernet cables, I've decided to give it a go. I've ordered a mini gbic fibre adaptor for my main switch, a fibre to Ethernet media converter and a 5m fibre patch cable with the appropriate terminations. I'll need to use a small 4 Port switch after the media converter to step down to 100base-t for the NDS.

 

I will build a small linear power supply to power the media converter and switch to keep these as clean as possible. Short Ethernet patch leads from the media converter, to switch, to NDS completes the picture.

 

This will give me complete electrical isolation from the server to the NDS with as clean a network as possible close to the NDS.

 

Total investment £260. It will be interesting to see how it performs compared to a high-end Ethernet cable which supposedly works by rejecting RF interference.

 

Will post more once the kit arrives and I have a chance to try it out.

 

Dave

Posted on: 08 April 2014 by Graham Clarke
Originally Posted by DaveBk:

Yes, the NICs line driver is via a transformer, so electrically isolated although noise could still be coupled. The fibre approach should still offer higher degrees of isolation so I'm hoping to get some improvement, but as I said in the other post it's difficult to know since I've added a 552 to the equation.

I think you can be confident that the improvement in SQ is down to either the 552 or the optical isolation.

Posted on: 08 April 2014 by DaveBk

Yes Graham, and I suspect I know which one is having the greatest impact! I'll do some more objective listening to see if the isolation also has a benefit once the 552 has settled in.

Posted on: 29 April 2014 by SteveH

Dave

 

I'm interested in the fibre experiment.  Any chance of you giving us a list of the parts? Would help me researching how to try it here.

Posted on: 30 April 2014 by DaveBk

Steve,

 

I'm using a Cisco SG-300 28 port switch that has 2 mini gbic ports into one of which I have plugged a Cisco Single mode fibre module. I have a 10m single mode fibre patch cable SC connector and one end LC at the other ordered from RS Components. At the far end of the patch cable is a Startech MCMGBSC15GB media converter and a Netgear GS105 switch both powered from a bespoke linear power supply that I constructed myself.

 

Is that what you were looking for?

 

Dave

Posted on: 01 May 2014 by SteveH

Dave

 

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for.  I'm thinking of replicating your experiment and while I'm OK on wired networks fibre is a complete unknown.

Posted on: 01 May 2014 by DaveBk

We can compare notes Steve.

 

The thing I spent most time over was single mode vs multi mode fibre. Whilst single mode is designed for much longer distances - say 15km, multi mode transceivers and cable seemed to have minimum distances specified or recommended the inclusion of an optical attenuator. Getting transceivers and cables to match seems pretty critical.

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by SteveH

Dave

 

The various bits should arrive next week, hopefully.  Next will be to see if I can get it to work with my Netgear GS724 switch.  Then I can start comparing to the various ethernet cables I have already accumulated.  May have to wait until after Munich, unfortunately.   

 

I'm certainly fascinated by the idea as the cost is no greater than an 'audiophile' ethernet cable.

Posted on: 06 May 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Dave - enquiring as to whether you have any sonic conclusions yet from your adventure with fibre? or whether the final electrical link to the Network player is undoing any possible advantage?

Simon

 

Posted on: 07 May 2014 by DaveBk

It's a tad difficult to isolate the benefits of the fibre change as I added a 552 to the mix a few weeks back. The real test of the fibre will have to wait now until July when I expect to finish my new listening room and can relocate the kit so the fibre does the long haul with the baby switch relatively close to the NDS.

 

Be interesting to hear how Steve gets on in the meantime.

 

Dave

Posted on: 10 May 2014 by SteveH

Bits have arrived and are working.  Some more research is needed to optimise I think. 

 

Will try to do some listening before Munich

Posted on: 10 May 2014 by SteveH

First impressions are rather good.  The same order of improvement I got with adding a second 555PS.

It's a bit worrying as I didn't expect that sort of change. My music network has grown maybe too large. I need to try some experiments in other systems.  More after Munich.

Posted on: 10 May 2014 by DaveBk

Good to hear you have had a positive result Steve. I also think it's a positive step, but with the 552 as well it's such a massive leap I can't be sure. I've left the fibre in place and will run it in to my new listening room in July once it's completed.

 

Dave