AFTER DARK & MORE Brands Fibre Media Converter - Your opinions?

[audiobomber]

Are any one of these FMC 2.5Gbit+ ? My ISP is @1200mbit right now and coax modem output is 2.5Gbit RJ45 port. I already have an ER for the streamer/appletv parts so wanting a fiber isolation before my core switch (Mikrotik CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS).

No FMC that I know of is 2.5Gb. But some of the switches in this review would substitute.

The Ultimate Cheap Fanless 2.5GbE Switch Buyers Guide

We test 15+ fanless 2.5GbE switches to see which are the top picks, which have cool features, and which ones are simply overpriced

www.servethehome.com

If you want an audiophile version, Matrix Audio has two, the SS-1, and SS-1 Pro.

 

[audiobomber]

This may be of interest. We did some informal listening tests for three hours, through a friend's system (Tambaqui DAC/Pre, MasterSound monoblocks, Sonus Faber Serafino speakers, 12" subwoofer, many thousands of dollars in cables and tweaks).

His network normally consists of an ONT with iPower Elite, LHY SW-10, singlemode fiber with Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL SFPs, to an EtherRegen with Pardo MiniTeddy, Synergistic Research ethernet cable, Antipodes K50. I supplied my oMD with Sigma11 linear power supply and a pair of Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL SFPs.

All three of us agreed on certain conclusions:

• The FTLX1475D3BTL is a poor match with the ER, possibly due to overheating
• The oMD and SW-10 both sounded best with the FTLX1475D3BTL
• Used purely as an FMC, the oMD sounds better than the SW-10
• The EtherRegen is best deployed immediately in front of the streamer, as recommended by UpTone. It beat both the oMD and SW-10 in this position

The best network configuration was:
ONT/Elite to oMD/FTLX1475D3BTL/Sigma11, smf, ER/FTLF1318P3BTL/Pardo to K50

 

[italia]

Very informative thread. I use a pair of LHY FMC with FTLX1475D3BTL and have been pleased with the combo. One item which has been additive to detail and clarity of imaging/ focus is the use of Optospan's LCELITE 'Ultra Low Loss' Fiber Cables.

I have read that the Optospan PSFP-11DT31K002 SFP's are better than the FTLX1475D3BTL, but have not tried them.

I have a LHY SW6 on order to replace one of the LHY FMC so as to move my music server down path to the audio system side of my Fiber to Fiber connection.

How would you describe the ways in which the oMD v2 was better than the SW-10?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

This may be of interest. We did some informal listening tests for three hours, through a friend's system (Tambaqui DAC/Pre, MasterSound monoblocks, Sonus Faber Serafino speakers, 12" subwoofer, many thousands of dollars in cables and tweaks).

His network normally consists of an ONT with iPower Elite, LHY SW-10, singlemode fiber with Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL SFPs, to an EtherRegen with Pardo MiniTeddy, Synergistic Research ethernet cable, Antipodes K50. I supplied my oMD with Sigma11 linear power supply and a pair of Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL SFPs.

All three of us agreed on certain conclusions:

• The FTLX1475D3BTL is a poor match with the ER, possibly due to overheating
• The oMD and SW-10 both sounded best with the FTLX1475D3BTL
• Used purely as an FMC, the oMD sounds better than the SW-10
• The EtherRegen is best deployed immediately in front of the streamer, as recommended by UpTone. It beat both the oMD and SW-10 in this position

The best network configuration was:
ONT/Elite to oMD/FTLX1475D3BTL/Sigma11, smf, ER/FTLF1318P3BTL/Pardo to K50

Have had similar experiences only no LHY switch in the chain.

 

[audiobomber]

How would you describe the ways in which the oMD v2 was better than the SW-10?

The main thing we noted with the oMD v2 was an extraordinary clarity. Instrument delineation was more obvious, the soundstage more transparent. Transient performance also improved, drum whacks, etc., had greater attack. The SW-10 imparts a darker sound that none of us preferred.

 

[eldogo]

Hi,
I have two TP-Link MC220L and for some reason the speed drops and caps at 90mbps. When I power cycle them, I get about 800 up and down. The higher speeds only last for a few hours, then it drops back down again.

Anyone know what’s the cause? I’ve even used the 10Gtek.

 

[kennyb123]

Hi,
I have two TP-Link MC220L and for some reason the speed drops and caps at 90mbps. When I power cycle them, I get about 800 up and down. The higher speeds only last for a few hours, then it drops back down again.

Anyone know what’s the cause? I’ve even used the 10Gtek.

It sounds like it may be negotiating downward because it’s determining that it can’t maintain the higher rate. Maybe replace the fiber and see if the problem goes away. If not, try different SFPs.

 

[Superdad]

It sounds like it may be negotiating downward because it’s determining that it can’t maintain the higher rate. Maybe replace the fiber and see if the problem goes away. If not, try different SFPs.

SFP connections do not have any speed negotiation capability.
But indeed he has some sort of problem with the connection.

 

[jeremya]

Hello all,

I would like to know your opinion about this product: GIESEMANN REFERENCE SFP OPTICAL ISOLATOR PA1, it has 3 options, including one with a clock OCXC.
If you have other suggestions such as Optical Network Converter, with pleasure.

AfterDark. Giesemann Reference SFP Optical Isolator PA1

AfterDark. Giesemann Reference SFP Optical Isolator PA1 A mini SFP Optical Isolator produced by AfterDark. gives a significant improvement on sounding designed based on Project ALPHA program with one well respected member in Audiophilestyle. To honor that moment, we invite all Audiophiles to...

www.adark.co

Thank you

I have a pair of these and the matching power supply AfterDark makes for them (all Giesemann Reference / top of line models).

TL;DR: I find the AfterDark PA1s to be a solid step up from the venerable Sonore opticalModule + LPS-1 combo I was using before. A Cisco AOC cable works well with them (superior to the Finisar + cheap fiber I was using before)

Back story:
I bought mine when AfterDark was having a BOGO sale shortly after introducing them. No regrets, but shipping took a long time (my first box of them got lost in customs for more than 6 weeks and they had to send me a second one to make up for it -- more than a year later, it has yet to arrive!). My second set wasn't quite what I ordered (someone at the assembly line was moving too fast), so they had to send me a third set -- and that one was fine.

(Back then I was also using a Mutec Ref10 SE120 clock to time the ER and my DAC. I later I upgraded to the May KTE DAC and upgraded the EtherRegen to the Synergistic Research Ethernet Switch UEF and neither of them supported an external clock... so I sold the Mutec.

As my opticalModule wasn't much use without a companion, but I still wanted to see if optical isolation was worthwhile even in spite of my new switch, and since I had already sold the Mutec... so I bought a cheap 10GTek FMC and used it upstream. It told me what I needed to know -- optical isolation was still good to have. After that, I started researching upgrade options, and it just so happened that around that time, Adrian (Mr. AfterDark) announced the PA1s and even had a BOGO sale! I sprung for the best clock option since I didn't have an external clock anymore and I had grown tired of all the spaghetti and upgrade-itis that clock cables bring.

Regarding signal cabling, at present I'm using a Cisco Active Optical Cable (AOC) which AfterDark recommended (and others have as well). I like it better than my Finisar modules with cheap Amazon fiber, perhaps because Cisco AOC cables are designed to be used in short runs (connecting adjacent racked gear in a datacenter, etc.) so the signal strength from source to sink is probably "just right."

After some settle in time, here are the impressions I sent to Adrian @ AfterDark:

I've been loving the sound of things so far as the units have had some days to settle in now. I'm using one of the Cisco AOC cables with it and it's quite superior to my old solution that depended on a 10GTek FMC (upstream) and a Sonore opticalModule (downstream). Bravo!

I've noticed every time I sit down it does seem more analog sounding. Initially it was more edgy and forward, very 'present' almost to a disturbing level, but within 2-3 days that faded and I was left with a more detailed presentation than I had before but without the initial glare. It's definitely "softening" as the days go by, but without losing fidelity.

 

[audiobomber]

I find the AfterDark PA1s to be a solid step up from the venerable Sonore opticalModule + LPS-1 combo I was using before.

Good to know, but I would add that the opticalModule Deluxe was also a solid step up the original oMD. The oMD v2 is the current model, which was designed by John Swenson and is a significant upgrade over the oMD v1:

Sonore opticalModule Deluxe

The Sonore opticalModule Deluxe has been redesigned to improve some components and upgrade others. So what's new? Custom code for the network IC by John Swenson Network IC by the premier network manufacture Broadcom Network IC with internal low phase noise design Network IC with internal low nois...

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