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

[For The Love of Music]

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...

Marks correct

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by For The Love of Music

Marks correct

Hello Puma - Cat (Stephen) -

Sorry, my earlier post on single mode vs multimode may have been confusing. You shouldn't need single mode in a residential (or even office building) setting. Single mode reduces skew and thus increases transmission distances for very high speed communications - on the order of kilometers before needed re-amplification, etc.

Multimode is the preferred choice for distances up to several hundred meters. The connections are more reliable and less finicky ( a single mode core is about 8 um in diameter, requires care, a multimode is typically 62 um, or about 60 times larger area).

The data transmission protocols are unchanged between the two.

Hope this helps.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet

[j3brow]

This is an interesting thread, a topic I knew nothing about.

Would all this discussion apply to someone streaming via Ethernet connection to an Aurender N10? Generic Ethernet cable from my network switch (araknis) over to my AV rack where a gigafoilv4 powered by a LPS cleans up the signal and passes onto Aurender via AQ diamond.

Would this chain work or will my araknis switch still be a problem? The switch is in the same gear room as the AV rack.

The plan is to run add a second switch to connect Apple TV4k for video streaming and to connect oppo203 for updates. Audio streaming to Aurender will be off the first switch or maybe possible to pull it straight off modem. Will find out when AV guys come out to work on network tomorrow.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

Hello Puma - Cat (Stephen) -

Sorry, my earlier post on single mode vs multimode may have been confusing. You shouldn't need single mode in a residential (or even office building) setting. Single mode reduces skew and thus increases transmission distances for very high speed communications - on the order of kilometers before needed re-amplification, etc.

Multimode is the preferred choice for distances up to several hundred meters. The connections are more reliable and less finicky ( a single mode core is about 8 um in diameter, requires care, a multimode is typically 62 um, or about 60 times larger area).

The data transmission protocols are unchanged between the two.

Hope this helps.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet

Thanks for the info! I didn't know that, this is really helpful. Just getting in to this, but I will say the fiber setup is working really well for me. Its very affordable, easy to run, and it sounds great.

[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 was wondering if that setup would work. I'm not sure if the investment would sound significantly better than what I'm using now to make the investment worthwhile (it sounds really good). And running a 7M run Ethernet is more cumbersome than a very thin, light run of Tripp-Lite fiber cable. I think putting that better part of $1000 into a Zen Innuous Zen Mk3 Mini would realize a greater improvement.

Maybe at some point in the future, though I think in addition to the Innuous, the next big investment will be in a "audiophile-quality" Ethernet cable for that last meter or so.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by j3brow

This is an interesting thread, a topic I knew nothing about.

Would all this discussion apply to someone streaming via Ethernet connection to an Aurender N10? Generic Ethernet cable from my network switch (araknis) over to my AV rack where a gigafoilv4 powered by a LPS cleans up the signal and passes onto Aurender via AQ diamond.

Yes. And, it would sound really good; Ethernet cables can be subject to noise in the same way that USB and other signal cables can. Despite what IT guys may say...

Would this chain work or will my araknis switch still be a problem? The switch is in the same gear room as the AV rack.

I don't know about your specific Ethernet switch, but adding a TP-link one to my Mac Mini chain in the bedroom definitely added noise to the system. This is likely due to the switch, its cheap-*ss power supply, or both. From the research I've done, the AQVox and SoTM Ethernet switches with their own specific power supplies are the ones that sound the best.

The plan is to run add a second switch to connect Apple TV4k for video streaming and to connect oppo203 for updates. Audio streaming to Aurender will be off the first switch or maybe possible to pull it straight off modem. Will find out when AV guys come out to work on network tomorrow.

Let us know how it goes.

[damacman]

I dunno ... sounds like your $66 investment has paid big dividends ... may wanna’ stick with it.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by damacman

I dunno ... sounds like your $66 investment has paid big dividends ... may wanna’ stick with it.

That's the plan...

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

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

Hey SuperDave!

Any news????? Inquiring minds want to know.

Craig

[SuperD]

Sorry for the delays! I’ve been busy with work and kids. I initially ordered the AQVox but due to shipping error it arrived a day after I installed the SOtM switch. I’m officially out of plugs and am really happy with the sound I’m getting. It’s a lot of variables to pinpoint where the benefits are coming from. Overall the SOtM has made streaming sound much more natural, still not as good as the spinner but getting closer and closer. I need to order another AQ diamond to run between the switch and gigafoil. I had to put my Transparent Ethernet back in but the AQ is much better to my ears. The AQVox will go in an office system soon.

Dave