SOtM sNH-10G Network Switches x2 : The NEW KING of USB/Network Gadget Setup

[orange55]

I am planning to buy two switches sotm 10g. As far as I understand, you disassemble them to insert new sfp modules? What sfp modules are the best today to replace the standard sotm? And what ethernet cables do you recommend for the end point on the streamer (Auralic aries g2.2). I am also interested in what power cables were selected for the plixir power supply and from plixir to sotm. I want to order a complete setup. I am studying the options. Thank you. I already have a sotm usb ultra regenerator. I want to assemble a complete sotm line.

You do not need to dismantle the switch, they have spf slots so you can insert which ever brand you like.

Regarding which SPF cable to use, I have tried pretty everyone you will see listed in this forum and a few more. I have a draw full of them. The best I have heard is this one: Amphenol SFP+ 10GbE direct attach passive copper cable (DAC), quad-shielded 30 AWG twin-axial SKEWCLEAR wire (SF-SFPP2EPASS-002) Note it is not the most expensive either.

I have used both the standard Plixir DC cable from Plixir to the switch and the Plixir statement version. The statement is better.

However, you get a better upgrade by changing the fuse in the IEC input on the Plixir. I am running SR Purple 20mm slow blow fuses and they really opened the sound. I would do that first before changing the DC cable.

Hope that helps.

 

[orange55]

@Darion I should add I did find a benefit of running two power supplies and not having a dual powering both switches.

 

[valicu2000]

I am planning to buy two switches sotm 10g. As far as I understand, you disassemble them to insert new sfp modules? What sfp modules are the best today to replace the standard sotm? And what ethernet cables do you recommend for the end point on the streamer (Auralic aries g2.2). I am also interested in what power cables were selected for the plixir power supply and from plixir to sotm. I want to order a complete setup. I am studying the options. Thank you. I already have a sotm usb ultra regenerator. I want to assemble a complete sotm line.

Hi Darion,

No, the SFP modules can be inserted/extracted from the outside, you don't need to open the switches.
Best SFPs are from Finisar, CISCO, FS as long as they have 1310nm wavelength, single-mode, industrial grade (up to 85 degress C).
For the Ethernet cables I recommend Audioquest Diamond for detailed, crisp and 3D sound.
Plixir linear power supply is a really good choice for SOtM switches, it's better than the iFi Elite. I personally have the Plixir feeding the SOtM switch and the power cable is a SOtM pCBL-SS8 with Furutech FI-38 Rhodium connectors (instead of the stock Viborg). I would highly recommend the Audioquest Mistral power cable and Audioquest Mistral Schuko and IEC connectors (these are silver plated and they sound very detailed and smooth)

 

[Darion]

Thanks for the advice. And what is the fuse rating in amperes needed for plixir? As I understand it - 20 by 5mm, slow.

Ps
And is it possible to change the fuse in sotm. If yes, then where.

 

[valicu2000]

Thanks for the advice. And what is the fuse rating in amperes needed for plixir? As I understand it - 20 by 5mm, slow.

Ps
And is it possible to change the fuse in sotm. If yes, then where.

Plixir 12V 6A has a 3.15Amp slow blow fuse.
The SOtM switches don't have a fuse.

 

[orange55]

Thanks for the advice. And what is the fuse rating in amperes needed for plixir? As I understand it - 20 by 5mm, slow.

Ps
And is it possible to change the fuse in sotm. If yes, then where.

The SoTM switches only need a 2 amp Plixir which has a 2.5 amp fuse in it.

The 4 amp Plixir has a 3.15 amp fuse.

 

[Darion]

Tell me, has anyone connected them from the second sotm 10g with a cat8 cable and an iso cat8 filter? Is this combination worth taking?

 

[orange55]

Tell me, has anyone connected them from the second sotm 10g with a cat8 cable and an iso cat8 filter? Is this combination worth taking?

I have tried cat8 cables, but my Chord Company cables all sound better, even the entry level cable. This was after a month of burn in.

Depending on your budget for cables, friend of mine has the G1 and uses the Chord Shawline Ethernet. To me this is the best value chord streaming cable. However, when you get to the signature that is where the magic begins.

I am using Chord Music Ethernet into my streamer and Chord Sarum into my Apple TV.

Rather than cat8 filter, I would look at an external clock, when I added the Mutec REF10 clock to both my switches it was a mega upgrade.

 

[QuadDiffuser]

Purchased about 6 years ago, I have a pair of sNH-10G switches connected via the SoTM sCBL-Cat.7 LAN cables.
Does anyone know if a contemporary newly-designed AOC cable (such as the one from FS) can be used to connect them together, via the SFP ports?
The sNH-10G's optical ports support both 100M and 1G speeds; I'm assuming that modern 10G AOC cables are backwardly compatible to these slower speeds...

 

[valicu2000]

Purchased about 6 years ago, I have a pair of sNH-10G switches connected via the SoTM sCBL-Cat.7 LAN cables.
Does anyone know if a contemporary newly-designed AOC cable (such as the one from FS) can be used to connect them together, via the SFP ports?
The sNH-10G's optical ports support both 100M and 1G speeds; I'm assuming that modern 10G AOC cables are backwardly compatible to these slower speeds...

View attachment 163390

Hello @QuadDiffuser

I strongly believe that the 10G AOC will not be supported on the SOtM sNH-10G.
An AOC cable = 2x transcievers and a fused patch cable, and you get no information about any of them, I would personally avoid getting such cables. Instead carefully pick good transcievers and a good fiber optic patch cable.

 

[orange55]

Purchased about 6 years ago, I have a pair of sNH-10G switches connected via the SoTM sCBL-Cat.7 LAN cables.
Does anyone know if a contemporary newly-designed AOC cable (such as the one from FS) can be used to connect them together, via the SFP ports?
The sNH-10G's optical ports support both 100M and 1G speeds; I'm assuming that modern 10G AOC cables are backwardly compatible to these slower speeds...

View attachment 163390

I have the same switches and the answer is yes, they work. But they are not all equal.

I highly recommend the Amphenol DAC cables with Clearskew technology. They are the best cable I have heard connecting my SOtM switches and I have tried a lot. Much better than the FS.com cables.
https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/produc...N09Hvb3uIScuaCIUYyqcsZyOEUZ564d8aAnLqEALw_wcB

This cable sounds better than the highly regarded Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL spf module with Corning fibre cable in my system.

 

[jaxdr]

Agree with orange55, I have connected 2 sNH-10g's with a DAC cable. I have used several brands of DAC cables to connect the switches and all
sound better than using fiber. I am currently using the Melco C1 which has been the best sounding in my system but unfortunately priced at $700. However I have not used the Amphenol DAC cables.

 

[valicu2000]

DAC vs Fiber Optic ... Fiber has the only advantage of galvanic isolation, the noise floor drops, blacker background, deeper bass ... but thin sounding. Copper (DAC) is fuller and one must go for the shortest length for best results.

I've replaced my 10G fiber optic between the router and the backbone switch with a DAC cable just because for the same 0.5m length, the fiber has +70% more latency than the DAC.

 

[jaxdr]

DAC vs Fiber Optic ... Fiber has the only advantage of galvanic isolation, the noise floor drops, blacker background, deeper bass ... but thin sounding. Copper (DAC) is fuller and one must go for the shortest length for best results.

I've replaced my 10G fiber optic between the router and the backbone switch with a DAC cable just because for the same 0.5m length, the fiber has +70% more latency than the DAC.

VG summary valicu2000...in many ways I do wish I preferred fiber for it's cost and ease of use. In other systems with different equipment, fiber may be preferred by it's user. My ears drive my preferences and at least with Taiko, Emile has been clear that DAC cables work better in the Taiko environment and I have found that true.