Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable : the first in audiophile market

[Republicoftexas69]

@Republicoftexas69...any chance you could kindly share the part numbers of the best of the "top shelf' optical SPF's you mentioned? it will be greatly apreciated by the community...Thanx! Mooncrikit

Finisar SFP+ Modules for Audio Grade Network Switch (Group Buy for Audiophilestyle.com)

AfterDark. Project Constellation Fiber Collection Today we want to introduce some of the very best SFP+ cable for Audiophile. They are selected to meet the highest requirement when we connect them via SFP port of the Audio Grade Network Switch, such as UpTone EtherREGEN, Cisco 2960 and Buffalo GS...

audiophilestyle.com

 

[cykin]

Yes, well put! Fortunately, for my purposes, the new C1 moved the needle in the right direction.

Hi, does C1 compatible with Tempus? I have sent an email to NA and they don't know or believe it will not work with C1.

I was planning to replace SOTM with NA Tempus between Taiko Extreme Router and Server by SFP connection.

Thanks

 

[b345t]

So whats the consensus on Melco vs Amphenol dac cables? Anyone a/b and what differences do they hear? Appreciate any input.

 

[cykin]

I heard that C1 is not compatible to taiko Olympus (cannot be removed). Any member experiencing this issue?

 

[nonesup]

I have it installed on my Olympus, I haven't had to remove it, but on the Extreme it was difficult to remove, you just have to pull much harder than usual.

 

[cykin]

I have it installed on my Olympus, I haven't had to remove it, but on the Extreme it was difficult to remove, you just have to pull much harder than usual.

The dealer told me that they killed the lan card by removing the cable. Be careful.

 

[Blue58]

I had this exact problem yesterday where I couldn’t remove the cable from either the Extreme or switch and didn’t want to resort to using tools. Had to move both together, harder than you think. (Annual cleaning).

 

[engadin]

When relocating, I had to disconnect and reassemble all cables.
The Afterdark cable was pretty tough to get out of switch, router, Extreme, too.

 

[cykin]

When relocating, I had to disconnect and reassemble all cables.
The Afterdark cable was pretty tough to get out of switch, router, Extreme, too.

Ix2000?

 

[engadin]

Ix2000?

LX2000? No, not the Project ClayX Constellation Reference lx2000.

This one:

Amphenol DAC SFP Cable ADS1 for Audio Grade Network Switch (Group Buy for Audiophilestyle.com)

Amphenol DAC SFP Cable ADS1 for Audio Grade Network Switch (Group Buy for Audiophilestyle.com) The Amphenol DAC SFP cable will improve the perfromance on data transfer. Since signal transfer is so sensitive to vibration on SFP module, vibration countermeasures are most effective to reduce...

www.adark.co

Very tight fit.
Well, in the end I could get them out. Had to fight a bit and worried if something was wrong.
I would not say they are incompatible.

 

[engadin]

Some effort might be necessary, but the cheaper AfterDark ADS1 is compatible with Taiko.

A few questions come to my mind:

Would you recommend contact enhancers like Deoxit Pro Gold for DAC cables?
Apply it, install cable and never disconnect again?

Would the AfterDark Clay X reference ix2000 be compatible with Taiko?
AfterDark claims compatibility with Taiko on their website.
Did someone try that?
Compatibility and sound?

AfterDark. Project ClayX Constellation Reference IX2000 SFP/SFP+ DAC LAN Cable for Audiophiles

AfterDark. Project ClayX Constellation Reference IX2000 SFP/SFP+ DAC LAN Cable for Audiophiles The reference grade SFP/SFP+ Lan cable will improve the perfromance on data transfer. Since signal transfer is so sensitive to vibration on SFP module, vibration countermeasures are most effective...

www.adark.co

While not cheap, it looks like a bargain next to the Dela.

 

[cykin]

Some effort might be necessary, but the cheaper AfterDark ADS1 is compatible with Taiko.

A few questions come to my mind:

Would you recommend contact enhancers like Deoxit Pro Gold for DAC cables?
Apply it, install cable and never disconnect again?

Would the AfterDark Clay X reference ix2000 be compatible with Taiko?
AfterDark claims compatibility with Taiko on their website.
Did someone try that?
Compatibility and sound?

AfterDark. Project ClayX Constellation Reference IX2000 SFP/SFP+ DAC LAN Cable for Audiophiles

AfterDark. Project ClayX Constellation Reference IX2000 SFP/SFP+ DAC LAN Cable for Audiophiles The reference grade SFP/SFP+ Lan cable will improve the perfromance on data transfer. Since signal transfer is so sensitive to vibration on SFP module, vibration countermeasures are most effective...

www.adark.co

While not cheap, it looks like a bargain next to the Dela.

I ordered it. They said it is so much better than melco and can be easily removed. Will see.

 

[jaxdr]

I own a couple of the Melco(Dela) C1 DAC cables and using them between a pair of SoTM switches and between the Taiko switch and the Taiko I/O. I have found them to be very beneficial adding greater clarity, ease and depth relative to fiber/LAN cables. They can be tricky to remove however the key is to pull the cable out at the correct angle as described in their manual. I have always been able to remove the DAC cable.
I have compared the Melco to the DAC cable provided by Taiko, FS, Cisco and Cable Rack and easily preferred the Melco. Having said that the Melco was approx $700 and these other brands were $100 or less...so not really comparable price-wise. I have not compared the Melco to the AfterDark so can not comment.

 

[nonesup]

I own a couple of the Melco(Dela) C1 DAC cables and using them between a pair of SoTM switches and between the Taiko switch and the Taiko I/O. I have found them to be very beneficial adding greater clarity, ease and depth relative to fiber/LAN cables. They can be tricky to remove however the key is to pull the cable out at the correct angle as described in their manual. I have always been able to remove the DAC cable.
I have compared the Melco to the DAC cable provided by Taiko, FS, Cisco and Cable Rack and easily preferred the Melco. Having said that the Melco was approx $700 and these other brands were $100 or less...so not really comparable price-wise. I have not compared the Melco to the AfterDark so can not comment.

I can't find the manual to see what you're saying about the angle at which to extract the cable. Could you upload a photo of this manual?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I must say that Emile/Taiko Audio is the pioneer, applying Direct Attach Cables in their CAS products.

Ben Lau, the Taiko dealer in Hong Kong tried several IT industry DAC cables in the Taiko CAS connection and they gave different sonic performance. It's fun!

Here comes the first DAC cable from the CAS audiophile brand of Melco : Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (called Dela Audio in Japan domestic market).

C1

オーディオ専用に開発されたSFP LANケーブル「C1」の商品ページです。

www.dela-audio.com

The build looks very nice.
View attachment 122974

View attachment 122975
View attachment 122976
A Taiwan audiophile who employed MSB dac tested the cable and gave his views here, pls read with google translate :

[心得] Melco C1 SFP DAC 簡易心得 - Audiophile板 - Disp BBS

*此DAC非彼DAC* (melco官網還沒更新蠻奇特的) C1 - DELA - 日本の高級オーディオ機器の技術で開発された唯一のストレージ＆ネットワーク製品ブランド オーディオ専用に開発されたS

disp.cc

The Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable is only available as parallel import in Hong Kong currently.
I will audition it once it is available officially at dealers.

Actually is not the first. Amphenol has had these out for years in the US.

 

[jaxdr]

I can't find the manual to see what you're saying about the angle at which to extract the cable. Could you upload a photo of this manual?

Listed below is what I found in a user guide that was included with the DAC cable:

Removing the Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cable​

To remove the DAC cable:

1. Pull straight back on the release ring to release the cable retention tab. Alternatively, you can lift the retention clip on the adapter to free the cable if necessary.
2. Slide the cable free from the adapter cage.

 

[nonesup]

Thanks for the picture of the manual

 

[nonesup]

A continuación se muestra lo que encontré en una guía del usuario que venía incluida con el cable DAC:

Extracción del cable de cobre de conexión directa (DAC)​

Para quitar el cable DAC:

1. Tire del anillo de liberación hacia atrás para liberar la pestaña de retención del cable. También puede levantar el clip de retención del adaptador para liberar el cable si es necesario.
2. Deslice el cable para liberarlo de la jaula del adaptador.

Thx

 

[MarkusBarkus]

Actually is not the first. Amphenol has had these out for years in the US.

...I am using an Amphenol I bought via AfterDark some time ago.

BTW: IIRC Dustin from MSB was adamant one must NOT use DAC cables with their gear. Sorry, I don't recall if that was on the MSB forum, or WBF. I *think* WBF.

 

[MacF]

I purchased a Melco C1, after I learning about it in this forum, from Wally at Underwood. If you don't see it listed the other Melco products, call him so he can order one for you. May have even been a little bit cheaper through Underwood. Interestingly, the cable shipped from Luxman as I recall.

By all accounts, it's is a very nice, well designed & engineered cable, but is it worth the price tag?

In my setup, the C1 replaced the fiber connecting both Optical Modules. To my ears, the C1's performance compared to fiber + the top sfp's + lps's, is more satisfying. Think attributes of fiber with noticeably more body.

Back to the cost, I'm pretty sure some of the less expensive cables being discussed here will work just as well.