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Post by mattspl on Jun 24, 2024 21:31:58 GMT
I know Martin and others are using the regen etc but will these work with a connection between an optical converter and a switch with sfp ? They should, provided they are compatible with your switch. Cisco seems to be quite picky.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 25, 2024 4:18:54 GMT
Just remember you don't get the isolation a fibre connection gives you. Whether you get better performance from a DAC cable will depend on whether the isolation is a large factor in the SQ you are currently hearing.
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Post by Clive on Jun 25, 2024 12:37:16 GMT
Thanks, Clive. That sounds remarkably like the ipolex is similar to the FS and are both bettered by the gnodal. The latter is a cracking good cable. The most obvious issue with my ipolex cable is that the bass is too fat. It masks the mid, the sound is pleasant but the gnodal is so much better across the full range and bass is in proportion with great detail and texture. It’s as though I could be describing two analogue cables.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 25, 2024 12:54:53 GMT
That's interesting, then. The FS is a little thin sounding.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 27, 2024 9:48:56 GMT
Lots of discussion on the Audiophile Style forum of the Amphenol passive DAC cable being a superior design (but no listening experiences yet). It uses quad-shield 30 AWG twinax 'Skewclear' 2-pair bonded wires and zinc die-cast connectors. They are hard to get in the UK but I found a 3m one on eBay so I have ordered it - it's not long enough for a proper run but I can get an idea of whether a 4m one is worth ordering from the US.
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Post by nicholas on Jun 27, 2024 12:49:05 GMT
I have an Amphenol passive DAC cable arriving this afternoon. Looking forward to comparing it to the FS, Ipolex and TP Link cables that have notable differences between them.
Regrettably, the Gnodal kit is unobtainium in my neck of the woods.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 27, 2024 16:31:24 GMT
Do report back on that one, Nick. Mine is due on Saturday.
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Post by mattspl on Jun 27, 2024 18:48:03 GMT
My Cisco compatible FS DAC cable arrived today. Works perfectly thankfully after trying a Ubiquiti with no luck.
I also have an Addon DAC cable and a Cisco one on the way.
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Post by nicholas on Jun 28, 2024 15:48:19 GMT
Do report back on that one, Nick. Mine is due on Saturday. Comparing multiple cables can be daunting but, in the early going, the Amphenol with SkewClear® Twinax Wire sounds very good with no apparent shortcomings. More time and comparisons are needed but it is indeed off to a good start in my system.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 28, 2024 19:23:29 GMT
The Gnodal is here and plugged in Surprisingly good, from cold (!) More detail in MikeMusic goes Streaming and as it familiarises itself with the rest of the system
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Post by mattspl on Jun 28, 2024 23:13:03 GMT
The Cisco compatible(or so they say) Addon DAC cable finally arrived today after a strange experience with a courier service. They refused to leave the parcel without a signature and wouldn’t even leave it with a neighbour.
Well, the Addon cable won’t work or at least not plug and play. I’ve not tried going into the Cisco settings yet to try and see if it will work.
The FS DAC cable just worked out the box and is a big upgrade over Ethernet between switches. Really surprised.
Both the Ubiquiti and Addon cables cause port shutdown. I’ll have a proper go at the Addon cable tomorrow as that specifically said compatible with Cisco 2960.
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Post by orange55 on Jun 29, 2024 6:58:44 GMT
The FS DAC cable just worked out the box and is a big upgrade over Ethernet between. I would be interested to know which Ethernet cables you were using between the switches. Thanks
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Post by mattspl on Jun 29, 2024 8:51:58 GMT
The FS DAC cable just worked out the box and is a big upgrade over Ethernet between. I would be interested to know which Ethernet cables you were using between the switches. Thanks I tried a standard Cat6, cat8.1, Amazon Cat8 flat type and an AliExpress ‘Odin’ cable, initially as it came, then later I shortened it and removed the ground at both ends and applied Mad Scientist Graphene. The later was noticeably better. Then I received the FS DAC cable and this is better again.
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Post by mattspl on Jun 29, 2024 11:18:49 GMT
I would be interested to know which Ethernet cables you were using between the switches. Thanks I tried a standard Cat6, cat8.1, Amazon Cat8 flat type and an AliExpress ‘Odin’ cable, initially as it came, then later I shortened it and removed the ground at both ends and applied Mad Scientist Graphene. The later was noticeably better. Then I received the FS DAC cable and this is better again. Edit: I also put 3M RFI absorber in both rj45 connectors of the Odin cable.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 29, 2024 19:23:44 GMT
The 3m Amphenol cable arrived today, part no. SF-SFPP2EPASS-003 which uses the previously mentioned Belden triple-shielded twinax 'SkewClear' cable and very nice looking die-cast Amphenol connectors. The cable construction is surprisingly thinner than the gnodal.
Because it's only 3m long, it dangles between my EtherREGEN and Signature Rendu Deluxe. I really need a 4m cable length but this eBay purchase was for testing purposes only.
Making some direct comparisons by hot-swapping the cables, the Amphenol has sharper focus with more edge resolution. This also gives a little more spatial definition and perception of depth - not bad considering the already excellent performance of the gnodal. I'm still staggered at the bass performance of these DAC cables and the Amphenol is up there with the gnodal in this department. The Amphenol is just a touch sharper in the high female vocal range and I suspect some burn-in will fix this. Dynamics are simply knock-out - I keep reeling back from startling dynamic swings in music I know well.
This is from a stone cold brand new cable. Some Tara Labs coming soon.
Looks like I may be special ordering a 4m cable from Amphenol in the US soon.
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Post by nicholas on Jun 29, 2024 19:38:47 GMT
My Amphenol cable has improved with more hours of playing time and will remain in place going forward. I appreciate the comparison with the gnodal cable, Martin.
Regrettably, the Amphenol doesn't seem to be made in a 4 meter length. Either 3 or 5 meters are all that I've seen listed. I'm able to use a .5 meter cable in my application and very pleased with its performance thus far.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 29, 2024 21:19:52 GMT
Regrettably, the Amphenol doesn't seem to be made in a 4 meter length It doesn't seem to be stocked anywhere in 4m, I've checked DigiKey and Mouser, my usual suppliers*. However, Amphenol Cables on Demand to the rescue. It's listed here: cablesondemand.com/sfp-cables-direct-attach-1So I've gone ahead and ordered one. After an evening of listening to this cable, it had to be done. * I could, of course, just use a 5m one but it's longer than strictly necessary and that upsets my sensibilities ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by MartinT on Jun 29, 2024 21:22:21 GMT
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Post by nicholas on Jun 29, 2024 22:38:01 GMT
There has always been trade off between detail and soundstage as upgrades to my system occurred. This is the first time that I feel both are present in abundance. Dynamics are exceptional with a rock solid image. And it seems to only get better...
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Post by MartinT on Jun 30, 2024 8:45:12 GMT
There has always been trade off between detail and soundstage as upgrades to my system occurred. This is the first time that I feel both are present in abundance. Dynamics are exceptional with a rock solid image. And it seems to only get better... I would agree that some of my upgrades in the past have been like this. I am, however, amazed that at this stage in my journey (virtually complete), something as innocuous as a DAC cable comes along and makes the point that more, again, is available, i.e. the basic system has this capability. I am aware of the background detail in so much music (tape hiss, studio noise, auditorium noise, weirld artifacts like digital reverb, other stuff going on) that it brings the music even more to life. It's quite a thing but impossible to convey.
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