trhh
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 24
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Post by trhh on Jun 30, 2024 11:00:28 GMT
What is the rational behind buying SFP+ DAC cables if there is a 1G version: ![]() FS Customized 1G SFP Passive Direct Attach Copper Twinax Cable Torben |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 30, 2024 11:31:15 GMT
What is the rational behind buying SFP+ DAC cables if there is a 1G version: ![]() FS Customized 1G SFP Passive Direct Attach Copper Twinax Cable Hi Torben and welcome to TAS. None particularly except that the EtherREGEN and Signature Rendu Deluxe don't seem to care much and happily run at 1Gbps with an SFP+ cable. I know other users with different brands of ethernet switch have had difficulty with non-functioning DAC cables so this is not universal advice. I have also been careful to switch on the EtherREGEN first to allow the DAC speed to be set by it, then the Rendu follows suit. Further to your question, though, I have found generally that faster cables sound better even though they are not run at maximum speed. This is likely to be associated with signal waveform preservation, giving the cleanest edges at the receiving end and minimising fuzzy triggering - and thus reducing additional jitter. My newest finding is that the Amphenol cable, which uses SkewClear construction (I've linked to a fascinating infosheet about it above), which reduces degradation from different arrival times, sounds the best of any DAC cable I've tried to date. Another indication that construction for very much higher transmission speeds than are used in audio helps to create the clearest, most detailed and most insightful reproduction yet heard in my system. |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 30, 2024 11:32:26 GMT
By the way, in sound quality terms I have found that the FS does not sound as good as the gnodal, which does not sound as good as the Amphenol.
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trhh
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 24
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Post by trhh on Jun 30, 2024 11:46:28 GMT
By the way, in sound quality terms I have found that the FS does not sound as good as the gnodal, which does not sound as good as the Amphenol. Please note that DAC cables from Amphenol Cables on Demand can not be used in a Cisco and HP switch. Torben |
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Post by palace on Jun 30, 2024 11:46:52 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  "" And I thought I was "pedantic" about things in general & my system in particular & I'm probably on the spectrum as my 3 children & a couple of grand children are  . . |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 30, 2024 11:53:40 GMT
Please note that DAC cables from Amphenol Cables on Demand can not be used in a Cisco and HP switch. Understood, my findings are all with my EtherREGEN switch. |
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trhh
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 24
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Post by trhh on Jun 30, 2024 13:10:55 GMT
I am currently testing this setup:  Not sure if a 10G SFP+ DAC cable would work in a 1G SFP Port. Torben |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 30, 2024 15:18:45 GMT
As Martin and Nick like it so much.
In for a penny, in for £8.88
3m Amphenol cable on the way to me
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Post by orange55 on Jun 30, 2024 15:24:06 GMT
As Martin and Nick like it so much. In for a penny, in for £8.88 3m Amphenol cable on the way to me great price. Where did you pick that up form. £46 is the cheapest I can find. |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 30, 2024 15:35:06 GMT
Are you sure it's a passive DAC with SkewClear? Their range is enormous.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 30, 2024 19:02:51 GMT
As Martin and Nick like it so much. In for a penny, in for £8.88 3m Amphenol cable on the way to me great price. Where did you pick that up form. £46 is the cheapest I can find. Ebay. Hopefully the right model ! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 30, 2024 19:03:40 GMT
Are you sure it's a passive DAC with SkewClear? Their range is enormous. AMPHENOL CABLES ON DEMAND SF-SFPP2EPASS-003 SFP+ / SFP+, PASSIVE, 3M 15/15 Skewclear not mentioned |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 30, 2024 19:04:45 GMT
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 30, 2024 19:06:36 GMT
Well that's a pain
A little knowledge did me no good !
Happy to take your cast off when available...
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 30, 2024 19:41:55 GMT
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Post by mattspl on Jun 30, 2024 19:52:49 GMT
It seems these Wiitek cables use the Skewclear cable too. www.wiitek.com/show_imgnews.asp?id=612&big_sortid=78These are the newer generation sfp28, but should be backward compatible and Cisco compatible. We will see. The Addon cable I got that specifically said it was Cisco 2960 compatible doesn’t work. I’ve tried everything. The annoying thing is, I think it might be the Skewclear cable too. |
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trhh
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 24
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Post by trhh on Jul 1, 2024 6:47:12 GMT
Wiitek: 25G is only backward compatible to 10G. For 1G speed, it has to be coded 1G in the EEPROM
Wiitek used LTK twinax copper cable not SKEWCLEAR 2. The information on their web-side is wrong.
Torben
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bencat
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 353
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Post by bencat on Jul 1, 2024 10:58:06 GMT
Okay after reading this I have bought a pair of DAC cables . Not the various ones mentioned here but a cheap set off eBay . Yes I know the cable could make a difference but was not sure if this would work with my switch and the two cables cost less than twenty quid delivered . So arrived today and not swapped one with my switch that my server is connected to . First things is it worked so thumbs up on that one . As the router is upstairs not easy solo to do a a/b test . But first impression is nothing is worse but it is early days yet so will let the burn in begin . Can I ask what is the general view of which are the best cables and where can they be bought ? I only need a 1 metre for the router to switch so will see if I can get one of those advised . This will mean though that I have two of the Cisco SFP optical cables that Martin said were the best which are not being used so if any one wants to either borrow one or but one let me know .
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Post by MartinT on Jul 1, 2024 11:07:19 GMT
For me, the Amphenol passive SFP+ DAC is the best-sounding cable, followed by the gnodal.
Others are not worth mentioning.
However, it's going to be very length-dependent and also depends on power isolation at both ends (or else you're better off staying with optical).
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bencat
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 353
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Post by bencat on Jul 1, 2024 11:26:36 GMT
Thanks Martin have found a couple of short lengths for not a lot of money so just bought them . The cheap ones I have are starting to sound better by the minutes so I think the use in my set up is working . Main area of improvement is the sound stage more solid and well defined . Everything else is as good as with the optical and this is straight out of the packet . Being copper things should improve with burn in .
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"" 
