SOtM sNH-10G Switch : Mods & Tweaks!

[Superdad]

Is this Amphenol SF-SFPP2EPASS-002 cable the right version to buy?

Amphenol SF-SFPP2EPASS-002 2m 10G SFP+ DAC Cable - 10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cable (6.6 ft)

Amphenol 2m (6.6 ft) 10GbE SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cables provide affordable 10-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with any SFP+ enabled port. Each SFP+ cable utilizes an integrated 20-position “board-as-connector” design with zinc die-cast backshells for superior EMI performance and minimal...

cablesondemand.com

Hi Blake:
As I was about the first person to be championing the Amphenol SkewClear DAC cables--I can tell you that yes, that's the one you want!
Cheers,
--Alex C.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Is this Amphenol SF-SFPP2EPASS-002 cable the right version to buy?

Amphenol SF-SFPP2EPASS-002 2m 10G SFP+ DAC Cable - 10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cable (6.6 ft)

Amphenol 2m (6.6 ft) 10GbE SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cables provide affordable 10-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with any SFP+ enabled port. Each SFP+ cable utilizes an integrated 20-position “board-as-connector” design with zinc die-cast backshells for superior EMI performance and minimal...

cablesondemand.com

Yes, I have had them in my system for 4 weeks now on Torben's suggestion and they are not coming out.

 

[Blake]

Thanks Alex and RoT! Then I'll buy a couple, one for each system. I've been using the Cisco, but, the world moves forward!

 

[Blake]

I've added a third daisy-chained switch in the speaker system.

Sablon ethernet at the wall to first Sotm 10G, then Cisco (to be replaced with Amphenol) > Sotm 10G > Sablon ethernet > Ansuz switch > Stealth Audio Black Magic v.21 ethernet to the streamer.

For the headphone system, I am still just running the 2 daisy-chained Sotm 10G switches, connected with Cisco (to be replaced with Amphenol), Sablon ethernet and also a Sotm Iso Cat7 filter thrown in for good measure.

 

[Blake]

Does the Amphenol DAC cable have a long break in period? I've had it installed for around a week.

It's nice, but, I prefer my former cable. The transparency/clarity is not improved, and even reduced a bit with the Amphenol and the soundstage is shallower. less spacious with my Amphenol. I'm guessing this could be system matching, as I have no doubt it is a great cable for the rest of you.

Amphenol does have a little bit better bass performance.

Both of my systems already have very good low frequency performance, so, I didn't need any further assistance on this sonic characteristic, and perhaps that is the difference in my findings/preference?

 

[orange55]

Does the Amphenol DAC cable have a long break in period? I've had it installed for around a week.

It's nice, but, I prefer my former cable. The transparency/clarity is not improved, and even reduced a bit with the Amphenol and the soundstage is shallower. less spacious with my Amphenol. I'm guessing this could be system matching, as I have no doubt it is a great cable for the rest of you.

Amphenol does have a little bit better bass performance.

Both of my systems already have very good low frequency performance, so, I didn't need any further assistance on this sonic characteristic, and perhaps that is the difference in my findings/preference?

Yes it does and the sound stage was one of the areas for me that improved. Like you initially I thought better bass, and was a little under impressed. I left it in after 3 to 4 weeks having kind of forgotten about I noticed things started sounding much better.

More space was one of the noticed benefits. Bass definition also, I didn’t need any more weight, but this was more like texture of the bass and slight weight increase.

Be interesting to see if that happens in your system.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Does the Amphenol DAC cable have a long break in period? I've had it installed for around a week.

It's nice, but, I prefer my former cable. The transparency/clarity is not improved, and even reduced a bit with the Amphenol and the soundstage is shallower. less spacious with my Amphenol. I'm guessing this could be system matching, as I have no doubt it is a great cable for the rest of you.

Amphenol does have a little bit better bass performance.

Both of my systems already have very good low frequency performance, so, I didn't need any further assistance on this sonic characteristic, and perhaps that is the difference in my findings/preference?

Does the Amphenol DAC cable have a long break in period? I've had it installed for around a week.

It's nice, but, I prefer my former cable. The transparency/clarity is not improved, and even reduced a bit with the Amphenol and the soundstage is shallower. less spacious with my Amphenol. I'm guessing this could be system matching, as I have no doubt it is a great cable for the rest of you.

Amphenol does have a little bit better bass performance.

Both of my systems already have very good low frequency performance, so, I didn't need any further assistance on this sonic characteristic, and perhaps that is the difference in my findings/preference?

Give it about 200 hours. I stream 10 hours a day and after 3 weeks it was really settled in. Will say in my system it wounded darn good from the jump.

 

[valicu2000]

Hello all,

I can't find an image on the internet or other relevant information on where the SOtM eABS-200 is applied inside the SOtM sNH-10G. Do you have an relevant picture or at least some hints for that?

I'm in the process of applying Oayide NRF-005T EMI absorbing fabric inside the devices in my audio chain and I'm really curious how SOtM applied this kind of fabric inside their own sNH-10G.

Thank you!

 

[AngeloVRA]

I can't find an image on the internet or other relevant information on where the SOtM eABS-200 is applied inside the SOtM sNH-10G. Do you have an relevant picture or at least some hints for that?

I'm in the process of applying Oayide NRF-005T EMI absorbing fabric inside the devices in my audio chain and I'm really curious how SOtM applied this kind of fabric inside their own sNH-10G.

Thank you!

Hi @valicu2000 !

Perhaps these may help.









The strips are 21mm x 61mm and are 85mm from the front edge.
You can determine the left/right positioning by relating it to the vent slots.

Good Luck!

 

[valicu2000]

Hi @valicu2000 !

Perhaps these may help.

View attachment 154354

View attachment 154355

View attachment 154352

View attachment 154353

The strips are 21mm x 61mm and are 85mm from the front edge.
You can determine the left/right positioning by relating it to the vent slots.

Good Luck!

Thank you very much, @AngeloVRA

Roughly we have an image like this (above the PCB):




I must admit that it's not what I've expected.
Usually one would put EMI absorber right on the noisier chips on the PCB / near the connectors. Here, SOtM placed them at the reflexion point on the case somehow above some chips covered by radiators (those radiators are also emitting EMI, unless grounded).

Some NUC I've taped:

 

[AngeloVRA]

Usually one would put EMI absorber right on the noisier chips on the PCB / near the connectors. Here, SOtM placed them at the reflexion point on the case somehow above some chips covered by radiators (those radiators are also emitting EMI, unless grounded).

Some NUC I've taped:

Hi @valicu2000

Aren't EMI tapes conductive?
Did you place some insulation between the EMI tape and those SMD components?

 

[valicu2000]

Hi @valicu2000

Aren't EMI tapes conductive?
Did you place some insulation between the EMI tape and those SMD components?

Hello again @AngeloVRA

The Oyaide NRF-005T is not conductive, it can be safely attached directly to soldered chips

 

[orange55]

Hello again @AngeloVRA

The Oyaide NRF-005T is not conductive, it can be safely attached directly to soldered chips

What type of improvement are you getting?

 

[valicu2000]

The changes I perceive: lower noisefloor / darker background and the highs gained some details while becoming less harsh.
I guess it depends a lot on the environment (I have like 1400 Wi-Fi access points around the apartment) and on the gear sensibility to EMI.
Some other people reported a lot of improvement: https://community.roonlabs.com/t/lumin-a1-in-2024/263946/3

 

[orange55]

The changes I perceive: lower noisefloor / darker background and the highs gained some details while becoming less harsh.
I guess it depends a lot on the environment (I have like 1400 Wi-Fi access points around the apartment) and on the gear sensibility to EMI.
Some other people reported a lot of improvement: https://community.roonlabs.com/t/lumin-a1-in-2024/263946/3

Where in the SOtM Switch did you apply the tape? I have some on it's way.

 

[valicu2000]

Where in the SOtM Switch did you apply the tape? I have some on it's way.

Hi @orange55

I didn't touch yet the sNH-10G switch, that's why I asked for images on how SOtM applied the EMI absorber. My approach with the Oyaide NRF-005T, as it's not electrically conductive, is to apply a larger patch on the ICs (chips with many legs) that don't have a radiator applied.

For example:

I would cover the zones marked in green with Oyaide tape ( NON-CONDUCTIVE ) , directly on the chips/PCB
For the red X zones I would apply EMI absorber directly on the top interior of the aluminum case, above those chips (the aluminum radiators placed on chips are also emitting EMI) like in treating first reflections on the walls of the room
It seems to me or the purple zones have small patches of EMI absorbers already, @AngeloVRA ?



.

 

[orange55]

Hi @orange55

I didn't touch yet the sNH-10G switch, that's why I asked for images on how SOtM applied the EMI absorber. My approach with the Oyaide NRF-005T, as it's not electrically conductive, is to apply a larger patch on the ICs (chips with many legs) that don't have a radiator applied.

For example:

I would cover the zones marked in green with Oyaide tape ( NON-CONDUCTIVE ) , directly on the chips/PCB
For the red X zones I would apply EMI absorber directly on the interior of the aluminum case, above those chips (the aluminum radiators placed on chips are also emitting EMI) like in treating first reflections on the walls of the room
It seems to me or the purple zones have small patches of EMI absorbers already, @AngeloVRA ?

View attachment 154501

F

Thank you for the comprehensive reply. Much appreciated.

 

[AngeloVRA]

It seems to me or the purple zones have small patches of EMI absorbers already, @AngeloVRA ?

@valicu2000 : Nope. No SOTM e-ABS anywhere on the PCB itself.