SFP Rolling? Anyone?

[bazelio]

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who has done some SFP rolling and reached some conclusions about the sound attributes of various makes of SFPs. I poo pooed this for a long time until I tried it, and most SFPs are going to be 15 bucks or less so it's easy to get tempted. It's kind of like digital tube rolling, I guess. Or at least, the differences aren't always small.

 

[Steve Williams]

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who has done some SFP rolling and reached some conclusions about the sound attributes of various makes of SFPs. I poo pooed this for a long time until I tried it, and most SFPs are going to be 15 bucks or less so it's easy to get tempted. It's kind of like digital tube rolling, I guess. Or at least, the differences aren't always small.

If you think SFP rolling produces changes try rolling tube adapters if you really want to be shocked. Everything matters

 

[harsheel_dbs]

I have recently rolled a few SFPs in my setup. I have tried the following:

Finisar FTLF8519P3BNL
Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL
Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M

In my setup the Cisco SFP AOC sounds the best. The Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL is very detailed but I could only listen for short periods of time before my ears became tired. The Cisco SFPs allow me to enjoy the system for longer periods at a time.

 

[bazelio]

I have recently rolled a few SFPs in my setup. I have tried the following:

Finisar FTLF8519P3BNL
Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL
Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M

In my setup the Cisco SFP AOC sounds the best. The Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL is very detailed but I could only listen for short periods of time before my ears became tired. The Cisco SFPs allow me to enjoy the system for longer periods at a time.

Any tonality changes you're hearing across these?

 

[harsheel_dbs]

Any tonality changes you're hearing across these?

from what I remember they all were very clear, however the Cisco ones had a relaxed and fuller presentation in the bottom end. The Finisar BTLs sounded pretty even across the spectrum but I did not measure. I tried the BNLs first and then once I got the Cisco's I returned them as didn't see myself listening to them ever. I still have the BTLs and will pop them in on occasion if something else in my system changes just to make sure the setup is optimal.

 

[bazelio]

I have some Finisar FTLX8571D3BCL to try. I guess you haven't tried these.

 

[harsheel_dbs]

I have some Finisar FTLX8571D3BCL to try. I guess you haven't tried these.

nope, I have not...maybe i'll check them out at some point if I get bored...

 

[harsheel_dbs]

If you think SFP rolling produces changes try rolling tube adapters if you really want to be shocked. Everything matters

I am trying to stop myself from going down the tube/tube adapter rolling rabbit hole...I keep telling myself that the best tubes are NOS and they are unavailable so I shouldn't even bother...I don't want to hear anyone say otherwise

 

[Steve Williams]

“ otherwise”

 

[wil]

from what I remember they all were very clear, however the Cisco ones had a relaxed and fuller presentation in the bottom end. The Finisar BTLs sounded pretty even across the spectrum but I did not measure. I tried the BNLs first and then once I got the Cisco's I returned them as didn't see myself listening to them ever. I still have the BTLs and will pop them in on occasion if something else in my system changes just to make sure the setup is optimal.

I seem to recall reading that Cisco SFP’s should only be used with Cisco equipment. Do I have this right?

 

[harsheel_dbs]

I seem to recall reading that Cisco SFP’s should only be used with Cisco equipment. Do I have this right?

I have no clue but so far nothing has exploded…

 

[bazelio]

I seem to recall reading that Cisco SFP’s should only be used with Cisco equipment. Do I have this right?

Cisco works fine for me. It's not my favorite sounding SFP but good enough to keep on hand.

The only talked-about SFP that I haven't tried at this point is the Finisar 1475. My favorite sounding SFP is not one that I've ever seen discussed on audio forums.

 

[tony22]

Cisco works fine for me. It's not my favorite sounding SFP but good enough to keep on hand.

The only talked-about SFP that I haven't tried at this point is the Finisar 1475. My favorite sounding SFP is not one that I've ever seen discussed on audio forums.

You’re not going to tell us?

 

[bazelio]

@tony22

See post #6. They're actually a multimode SFP that I'm using with singlemode Cisco patch cable. They combo isn't supposed to work, but sounds best to me this far.

 

[tony22]

Missed it! Sorry! And thanks.

 

[kennyb123]

They combo isn't supposed to work, but sounds best to me this far.

Would you provide some insight around what you find best about these? And have you tried them with the correct fiber option?

 

[bazelio]

Would you provide some insight around what you find best about these? And have you tried them with the correct fiber option?

The key in my system has been the combo of the Cisco cable with these SFPs. They've been a bit aggressive with other cables. But I have not tried a Multimode cable. Do you have any recs?

Anyhow this combo, for me, is highly detailed in a natural way with nuance decay and no fatigue, open and spacious, clear clean and crisp without being hard or edgy, and spot on with timber. I just really dig the sound.

 

[kennyb123]

The key in my system has been the combo of the Cisco cable with these SFPs. They've been a bit aggressive with other cables. But I have not tried a Multimode cable. Do you have any recs?

Anyhow this combo, for me, is highly detailed in a natural way with nuance decay and no fatigue, open and spacious, clear clean and crisp without being hard or edgy, and spot on with timber. I just really dig the sound.

Thanks for sharing those details.

I don’t have a cable recommendation, but I understand that using the correct kind of cable allows it to meet specifications. You could potentially be causing reflections with the incorrect cable and these can lead to increased jitter.

 

[bazelio]

That's right. Signal quality should suffer in this arrangement. To what extent is anyone's guess, though. I'm just following my ears.

 

[kennyb123]

That's right. Signal quality should suffer in this arrangement. To what extent is anyone's guess, though. I'm just following my ears.

Precision matters with digital audio transmission. I once tried fiber attenuators. Even the least amount of attention caused audible harm. Thus it stands to reason that if you favor those SFPs is because they are doing something right, allowing them to perform at their best should make you like them even more. Everything matters in this hobby, so we can often greatly benefit by following our ears while at the same time allowing what’s between our ears to speak into the process.