[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Still-One

I have been considering my options for inserting the opticalModule into my network. I am trying to determine which of the two connections will be least likely to offset any gains I might realize from isolating my Upsampler using that short run of fiber optic cable between my switch and the opticalModule.

Currently all of my "network" devices (Modem, wireless router, Small Green Computer i5 and switch) are located in a upstairs closet. I have 50' run of Ethernet (which I could shorten a bit) from the switch to my dCS Upsampler in my lower level 2-channel room.

When the opticalmodule arrives tomorrow I can either place the optical module 1 foot away from the optical connection on the switch. In theory that will be isolated from the network noise "but" will that long run of ethernet potentially add back in any noise.

The second option is to insert my older non optical switch in the closet and move the optical switch downstairs close to my Upsmapler after the long run of ethernet. The long run of ethernet would connect to the switch then the output of the switch would be a short run of optical to the opticalModule and then a very short run of ethernet to the Upsampler.
This option adds another switch into the mix which "could" add noise.

The only other option might be to leave the optical switch in the closet then using a long run of optical cable down to the opticalModule placed near the Upsampler.

Thoughts

In my own experience, the best thing to do would be to use a long run of fiber. That's what I'm doing and it has worked very well.

I just got my Jameco 5V LPS in about 30 minutes ago, and am using it to power the OpticalModule instead of the Uptone Audio LPS-1 (as mentioned above, when I was using the LPS-1 to power the OM, I was using a Jameco 9V LPS to power the microRendu; still trying to decide which sounds better...)

I've been reading a very lengthy, very technical thread at CA originally started by John Swenson (the designer for the Uptone Audio LPS-1 as well as all of the Sonore streamers) on the impact of low-impedance and high-impedance leakage currents from, in particular, switch-mode power supplies (aka SMPS) in digital streaming playback....it is been quite enlightening and lays quite a solid foundation as to why we hear such notable differences between USB cables, Ethernet cables, and Ethernet switches. Its very much a technical discussion about low-impedance and high-impedance leakage currents and their deleterious effects.

Anyhoo, I digress; back to the OpticalModule....