Just went backwards with the digital front-end....

[clpetersen]

"I'm using a TP-Link MC200CM Gigabit Media Converter, the wavelenth is 850nM. I could get the TP-Link MC210CS which are 1310nM and try those""

The important difference here is not moving from 850 nm to 1300 nm optical wavelength, but that you are moving from a multi-mode fiber core to a single-mode fiber core. The upshot of that is that transmission distances go from several hundred meters (multimode) to 15 kilometers (single mode). Multimode fiber was developed for use in buildings because it is easier to use, more reliable, and less finicky when connecting (not because it is less expensive to make, just the opposite in fact, at least in glass fiber).

[sid325]

My original setup was an older Motorola surfboard modem to a Netgear wireless router and a network cable from the wireless router to my streamer.

I switched out everything, new Motorola docsis 3.1 MB8600 modem to a TP-Link AC2300 wireless router which runs to a TP-Link TL-SG108E gigabit switch and then onto my streamer. All connections use Blue Jeans Cat6e cables.

And wow, I can’t even begin to explain the overall improvement in sound quality.

I have also since changed my DAC out, Schiit Yggy, which I know helps....

Jacob

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Hi Ken,
Thanks for your post for this discussion. Yep, I read the Audiostream review of the GigaFoil V4 from info provided by Jim (Still-One). For The Love of Music is using Keces LPS's, too.

With the very high-quality components of your digital front end, GigaFoil, two Keces LPS' and AQ Diamond Ethernet cables and the Audience PCs, I would expect it would sound very good indeed.

I'm trying to do this on the cheap, though. I would estimate two Keces P-8 LPS, the GigaFoilV4, 2 X 0.75M AQ Diamond Ethernet cables & two Audience AU24SE MP PCs would cost approximately....$8000?

It must sound fabulous...

Hi Puma Cat,

It doesn’t need to be nearly that expensive. DJM GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter ($550), Keces P3 Power Supply ($350) for Ethernet Filter and one AudioQuest 0.75M Diamond Ethernet Cable ($1,000) between the Ethernet Filter and the DAC. You should hear a marked improvement in sound quality. MSRP $1900. You can always go with a less expensive AudioQuest Ethernet Cable and cut the cost substantially.

Best,
Ken

[Robc33]

I recently added the Gigafoil, P3 power supply, and the AudioQuest Diamond ethernet cable my system. I did not insert each piece separately, to check for a stepped improvement, but I can say that the combo of the 3 items, was very noticeable. For the $1,750 I spent, I found it to be well worth the improvements in the sound quality, in my system.

[SuperD]

I'll post an update when I receive the AQVox and SOtM switch. I'm hoping they'll arrive soon. The AQvox shipped out on 4/8 and I still don't have it although it says shipping can take 20 days.

Dave

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

"I'm using a TP-Link MC200CM Gigabit Media Converter, the wavelenth is 850nM. I could get the TP-Link MC210CS which are 1310nM and try those""

The important difference here is not moving from 850 nm to 1300 nm optical wavelength, but that you are moving from a multi-mode fiber core to a single-mode fiber core. The upshot of that is that transmission distances go from several hundred meters (multimode) to 15 kilometers (single mode). Multimode fiber was developed for use in buildings because it is easier to use, more reliable, and less finicky when connecting (not because it is less expensive to make, just the opposite in fact, at least in glass fiber).

Thanks, CL, if I look into switching out FMCs, I'll get single-mode I only bought multi-mode because thats what Michael Lavorgna used in his original article on Audiostream.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Puma Cat,

It doesn’t need to be nearly that expensive. DJM GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter ($550), Keces P3 Power Supply ($350) for Ethernet Filter and one AudioQuest 0.75M Diamond Ethernet Cable ($1,000) between the Ethernet Filter and the DAC. You should hear a marked improvement in sound quality. MSRP $1900. You can always go with a less expensive AudioQuest Ethernet Cable and cut the cost substantially.

Best,
Ken

Thanks, Ken, for the suggestions.

The issue for me with the Gigafoil is that I will still need two "audiophile-grade" ethernet cables, one a long run (approx 7 M) from my EoP Adapter in the dining area to the Gigafoil, and then an ~1M Ethernet cable from the Gigafoil to the Sonore, and that's gonna be pricey. And then there's the cost of the Keces. Its still considerably cheaper for me to use a $16 run of Tripp-Lite fiber from an FMC near the EoP adapter to the downstream FMC, powered by a $50 iFi iPower power supply plugged into my Hydra 4 or Triton, and then a good, audiophile-grade Ethernet cable to the Sonore. I'll probably swap out the MM FMCs for single-mode per CL's recommendation, and also power that with another iFi iPower.

I should say my current set-up sounds really good, especially with the amazing Shunyata Alpha USB cable from the Sonore to Gumby. I'm retired now, so as my financial planner says, "Cash flow is king". If I drop almost 2 large on anything stereo-related, its likely going to be an Innuous Zen Mk3.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Thanks, Ken, for the suggestions.

The issue for me with the Gigafoil is that I will still need two "audiophile-grade" ethernet cables, one a long run (approx 7 M) from my EoP Adapter in the dining area to the Gigafoil, and then an ~1M Ethernet cable from the Gigafoil to the Sonore, and that's gonna be pricey. And then there's the cost of the Keces. Its still considerably cheaper for me to use a $16 run of Tripp-Lite fiber from an FMC near the EoP adapter to the downstream FMC, powered by a $50 iFi iPower power supply plugged into my Hydra 4 or Triton, and then a good, audiophile-grade Ethernet cable to the Sonore. I'll probably swap out the MM FMCs for single-mode per CL's recommendation, and also power that with another iFi iPower.

I should say my current set-up sounds really good, especially with the amazing Shunyata Alpha USB cable from the Sonore to Gumby. I'm retired now, so as my financial planner says, "Cash flow is king". If I drop almost 2 large on anything stereo-related, its likely going to be an Innuous Zen Mk3.

Just playing devil's advocate here...

Fiber is obviously better in the long run but if the Gigafoil is the desired solution and it does what it claims, you should only need a high quality spec compliant CAT8 7m ethernet run to it, not an uber pricey audio grade cable, then your audio grade ethernet cable from Gigafoil to your device. Might be worth a try...

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Just playing devil's advocate here...

Fiber is obviously better in the long run but if the Gigafoil is the desired solution and it does what it claims, you should only need a high quality spec compliant CAT8 7m ethernet run to it, not an uber pricey audio grade cable, then your audio grade ethernet cable from Gigafoil to your device. Might be worth a try...

Thanks, I'll think about it, but its still about $1000 for these two alone, the Gigafoil and Keces....my fiber setup cost me $66.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Thanks, I'll think about it, but its still about $1000 for these two alone, the Gigafoil and Keces....my fiber setup cost me $66.

Sounds like the best choice....