Thread: New SFPs in 'da house!

Been reading in-depth Emile's posts on another forum about the SFPs that he found to be the best-sounding SFPs, and what he recommends for use with the Taiko Extreme. So, today I got in two of 'em in to try out.

I got these from Planet Technology Corp., and they are 1000Base-LX single-mode SFPs from MGB-TLX that support transmission up to 20KM over 9/125 fiber.





I also got in some Corning LC/LC 9/125 fiber to try out as well vs. the Tripp-Lite LC/LC fiber I'm currently using (which has been working fine).


Going to start out with the optical transceivers first, and then when I get a chance, I'll install the run of the new Corning fiber. Stay tuned...

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Success! After installing the Corning 9/125 fiber I just installed the MGB-TLX 1310 nM optical transceivers, and I'm back up and running! These transceivers sound smoother and sweeter than the Finisar 800nM transceivers when used with the Corning 9/125 fiber, so I suspect there is an transceiver x fiber interaction that is audible.

Sounds really nice: "smoother and sweeter" than the previous set-up, "airier", and the bass has more definition and body as well.

Bottom-line: SFP optical transceivers (and very likely, LC/LC fiber)...sound different. Welcome to high-end audio. Doh!

Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Bottom-line: SFP optical transceivers (and very likely, LC/LC fiber)...sound different. Welcome to high-end audio. Doh!

Yeah SFPs definitely sound different. At one time I used those Planet Tech SFPs you mentioned. They disappeared better than a few others I tried. I ultimately landed on Finisar FTLF1324P2BTL, which were discontinued a while ago. These vanished even further.

I have not experimented with optical fiber. I’ve used only this which is made from 9/125 Corning optical fiber.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Hey Kenny,
I've heard good things about the Finisar FTLX1475D3BCL and the Finisar 1318. The guy that makes the AfterDark master clocks really liked the FTLX1475D3BCL.

I have tried only the Finisar 1318 out of those you mentioned. It was awfully close to the Finisar 1324 but I thought the top end made the 1318 less of a good fit, but if I never heard the 1324, I could have lived with the 1318. A pair of 1324s set me back only $19 off eBay so it’s been really easy to sit tight with those.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I can certainly see how folks might use SFPs to "flavor to taste", which is certainly an interesting "hypothesis" given that "digital" theoretically was "immune" to all this stuff. But, from the perspective of a scientist, all data is useful as it provides a "context for understanding".

We each have different sensitivities to noise and our systems react differently to noise as well. I had one loaned out my spare 1324s and spare 1318s. He ended up preferring the 1318s and I believe he purchased them from me.

Power consumption does vary amongst SFPs. I believe it was lower power consumption that lead Emile to recommend that Planet Tech SFP at one time. He later recommended the 1324 for that same reason, if I remember correctly.

I had been occasionally powering down my fiber span to see if I could hear differences. I did that by having my opticalModule plugged into a Kasa smart plug. It used to be that I heard a slight improvement with the network powered down. Adding the REF10 and having it provide a reference to the EtherRegen reduced the harm of having the network powered on. Upgrading the REF10 to SE120 either eliminated the difference or gave a slight advantage to having the network powered up. I mentioned that only as it also explains why I’ve held my ground with the 1324s.

The most shocking thing I’ve encountered in this hobby was finding that I could hear the harm done by the upstream FMC and SFP. It certainly blew a hole in my belief that a span of fiber provides perfect isolation.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Kenny, what are the REF10 and SE120 you're referring to?

Mutec REF10 reference clock and the upgraded REF10 SE120 version.

MUTEC - Professional A/V and High-End Equipment - REF10

MUTEC - Professional A/V and High-End Equipment - REF10 SE120

Some notes on compatibility:

1. If you're using 850nm SFP modules, they are usually multi mode, and therefore require a multi mode fiber. Your yellow fiber is single mode fiber (that goes with 1310nm SFP modules) - it is not supposed to be compatible with multi mode SFP modules.

2. Note that some SFP modules you mentioned are SFP+ 10G, not the SFP 1G that Lumin supports. It is likely that SFP+ modules won't work when plugged into a Lumin P1 / X1 / U2 - I got one user feedback that this indeed does not work. I hope to do test this in the near future.

Have you tested OM4 fiber (which uses Corning 50/125 fiber) and/or compared it to OS2 (which uses Corning 9/125)?

OK clueless old non-tech guy here.

Do SFPs plug into the ethernet port of 2 pieces of equipment? Thus allowing you to use fiber between the 2 pieces of equipment?

Thanks

Thanks, that make sense now.

Well, curiosity has gotten the best of me.
I have no idea whether I'll hear any differences by swapping these but I figure this model is a good one to try since it was an early audiophile favorite. I was surprised that FMC/switches sounded different from each other so I will listen with an open mind.

IMG_6455 Large.jpeg

Originally Posted by Rnrmf

Well, curiosity has gotten the best of me.
I have no idea whether I'll hear any differences by swapping these but I figure this model is a good one to try since it was an early audiophile favorite. I was surprised that FMC/switches sounded different from each other so I will listen with an open mind.

IMG_6455 Large.jpeg

Definitely let us know how it goes!!

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

It's high-end audio, so everything makes a difference.

Including the barometric pressure in the room.

The Finisars are a good-sounding SFP. I'm currently using Planet Tech 1310 nM MGB-TL40 SFPs with Corning ClearCurve 1310 nM single-mode fiber for my set-up.

Pretty cool. I'm holding out until next year as our cable company is supposed to start hooking up subs's to fiber to the home, Yeah !

Originally Posted by CPP

Pretty cool. I'm holding out until next year as our cable company is supposed to start hooking up subs's to fiber to the home, Yeah !

We recently went from copper to our house to a brand new fiber optic line they laid in our neighborhood and right up to my house. It was interesting to note there was an improvement in the sound.

Originally Posted by Rnrmf

Well, curiosity has gotten the best of me.
I have no idea whether I'll hear any differences by swapping these but I figure this model is a good one to try since it was an early audiophile favorite. I was surprised that FMC/switches sounded different from each other so I will listen with an open mind.

I believe that is SFP+ 10G (for use with SFP+ switches).

For those who need to use a Finisar SFP module with Lumin X1 P1 U2, the appropriate Finisar 1G module is:

Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL.

I have read multiple positive reports from users using this model of Finisar SFP module.

Note that, however, there are fake Finisar.

Originally Posted by wklie

I believe that is SFP+ 10G (for use with SFP+ switches).

For those who need to use a Finisar SFP module with Lumin X1 P1 U2, the appropriate Finisar 1G module is:

Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL.

I have read multiple positive reports from users using this model of Finisar SFP module.

Note that, however, there are fake Finisar.

That's one reason I delayed trying another SFP module. When I saw audio dealers selling these, my first thought was how easy it would be to print a new label to stick on whatever cheaper SFP module is being passed off as legit. I purchased mine from an authorized dealer for Finisar so I hope they are the real thing. I'll consider trying the Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL as well.

I'm using the FTLX1475D3BTL in my 2 Trendnet switches and they seem to work perfectly. The Trendnet switch doesn't indicate that it supports SFP+ data speeds on the spec sheet but all is working well. I spent a couple of hours comparing back and forth with my Startech SFPGLCLHSMST which sounded very good to me in my system. It's possible that the Finisar sounds better after a lot of comparing. It may be possible that I hear a more vivid sound with better focus and contrast with longer decays. I do/did have a lot of doubt that there could be a difference in sound with these modules but it seems like there is. As would be expected, there is no change in volume level - my SPL meter showed the same peak volume at the same time using either SFP module with the track I played. Maybe auditioning another module will provide more insight into the possibility that these modules sound different.

The Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL is clearly built more robustly than the Startech SFPGLCLHSMST. The Finisar is about 20-30% heavier than the Startech. The Finisar does get hotter to the touch than the Startech, however. The Finisar module is more sealed and likely doesn't release heat as the more open framed Startech.

Here are some pics of the visual differences:
IMG_6477 Medium.jpeg
IMG_6478 Medium.jpeg
IMG_6476 Medium.jpeg
IMG_6510 Medium.jpeg
IMG_6513 Medium.jpeg

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Been reading in-depth Emile's posts on another forum about the SFPs that he found to be the best-sounding SFPs, and what he recommends for use with the Taiko Extreme. So, today I got in two of 'em in to try out.

I got these from Planet Technology Corp., and they are 1000Base-LX single-mode SFPs from MGB-TLX that support transmission up to 20KM over 9/125 fiber.





I also got in some Corning LC/LC 9/125 fiber to try out as well vs. the Tripp-Lite LC/LC fiber I'm currently using (which has been working fine).


Going to start out with the optical transceivers first, and then when I get a chance, I'll install the run of the new Corning fiber. Stay tuned...

Hey Puma Cat - have you tried any of the converter boxes from them? Also, are what are you latest thoughts on this combo?

I have a pair of Finisar FTLF8519P3BNL sitting unused.

Thanks for all the testing you do!

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Hey Puma Cat - have you tried any of the converter boxes from them? Also, are what are you latest thoughts on this combo?

I have a pair of Finisar FTLF8519P3BNL sitting unused.

Thanks for all the testing you do!

Hi Michael,
Converter "boxes"? Not sure what you mean. Are you referring to Finisar SFP-format fiber-media optical transceivers?

These things? (FWIW, this is a TP link LC/LC SFP multi-mode optical transceiver, not a Finisar)


If so, then, yes, I've used Finisar SFP optical transceivers. They were my SFPs of choice when I was still using multi-mode fiber, but since transitioning to Corning single-mode fiber, I've been using the Planet Tech SFP optical transceivers.

I changed over from multi-mode to single-mode fiber based for use with my Lumin P1 on the recommendation of Peter Lie of Lumin, as Peter really knows what he's talking about when it comes to this stuff. He's one of the most knowledgeable and helpful support people I've ever met in high-end audio. 👍

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Hi Michael,
Converter "boxes"? Not sure what you mean. Are you referring to Finisar SFP-format fiber-media optical transceivers?

These things? (FWIW, this is a TP link LC/LC SFP multi-mode optical transceiver, not a Finisar)


If so, then, yes, I've used Finisar SFP optical transceivers. They were my SFPs of choice when I was still using multi-mode fiber, but since transitioning to Corning single-mode fiber, I've been using the Planet Tech SFP optical transceivers.

I changed over from multi-mode to single-mode fiber based for use with my Lumin P1 on the recommendation of Peter Lie of Lumin, as Peter really knows what he's talking about when it comes to this stuff. He's one of the most knowledgeable and helpful support people I've ever met in high-end audio. 👍

Sorry....I meant these:

Media Converters | Planet Network Technology

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Sorry....I meant these:

Media Converters | Planet Network Technology

No, the source end is the SFP cage in my EtherREGEN, and the destination end is the SFP cage in my Lumin P1.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

No, the source end is the SFP cage in my EtherREGEN, and the destination end is the SFP cage in my Lumin P1.

OK. Thank you.

I need to figure out which of these to get that is not too expensive or whether to simply get one of the cheap Gtek's off amazon.

I started with the Gteks then replaced with something better (Finisar? Cant remember tbh and dont want to pull them to look), and to me there was a definite improvement. I don’t recommend buying “any old” transceiver. This is true for me at work too, where we use transceivers in high speed network gear.

Single mode (SM) > Multimode (MM), also, in my experience. There are technical reasons regarding how light is transmitted differently down the glass of SM vs MM that I believe are behind why one seems better than the other for audio.

I actually came on to say what Peter said. SM xceivers generally must pair with SM cable; MM w/ MM - can’t mix and match. OM4 is MM iirc. SFP+ did not work for me in the X1.

For those less familiar with the technicalities I recommend focusing on matching xceiver type to fiber type, getting non SFP+, and not getting cheap amazon xceivers.

Originally Posted by jmusica

I started with the Gteks then replaced with something better (Finisar? Cant remember tbh and dont want to pull them to look), and to me there was a definite improvement. I don’t recommend buying “any old” transceiver. This is true for me at work too, where we use transceivers in high speed network gear.

Single mode (SM) > Multimode (MM), also, in my experience. There are technical reasons regarding how light is transmitted differently down the glass of SM vs MM that I believe are behind why one seems better than the other for audio.

I actually came on to say what Peter said. SM xceivers generally must pair with SM cable; MM w/ MM - can’t mix and match. OM4 is MM iirc. SFP+ did not work for me in the X1.

For those less familiar with the technicalities I recommend focusing on matching xceiver type to fiber type, getting non SFP+, and not getting cheap amazon xceivers.

Thank you. I'm finding mixing a matching a bit confusing. This is what I'm thinking:

I have these: Amazon.com

I have this cable: Amazon.com

And I am debating between these two:

Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

Unless you think one of these is better that will work as a SM: Media Converters | Planet Network Technology

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Thank you. I'm finding mixing a matching a bit confusing. This is what I'm thinking:

I have these: Amazon.com

I have this cable: Amazon.com

And I am debating between these two:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Unless you think one of these is better that will work as a SM: Media Converters | Planet Network Technology

The optical transceivers you have are multi-mode, so they will not work with the Corning single-mode optical fiber cable you have.

You'll either need to get multi-mode LC/LC fiber OR single-mode LC/LC optical transceivers like the Planet Tech referenced above so that they'll work with the Corning single-mode optical fiber.

Also, the first FMC you listed is also singlemode, so it will likely will not work with the multi-mode optical transceivers you have. The second one listed is both multimode/singlemode, so it should work with the multi-mode optical transceivers OR the single-mode fiber but...you will still need to match the fiber with the correct optical transceiver.

If you get the Planet Tech single-mode optical transceivers I've referenced above, you'll be good to go.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

The optical transceivers you have are multi-mode, so they will not work with the Corning single-mode optical fiber cable you have.

You'll either need to get multi-mode LC/LC fiber, or...single-mode optical transceivers like the Planet Tech referenced above so that they'll work with the Corning ingle-mode optical fiber.

Also, the first FMC you listed is also singlemode, so it will likely will not work with the multi-mode optical transceivers you have. The second one listed is both multimode/singlemode, so it will work with the multi-mode optical transceivers OR the single-mode but...you will still need to match the type of fiber with the correct optical tranceiver. If you get the Planet Tech single-mode optical transceivers I've referenced above, you'll be good to go.

Super helpful. Thanks Puma Cat.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Super helpful. Thanks Puma Cat.

Cheers.

I bought the Star Tech media converter in early 2022 thinking it must be okay because it's not the cheapest.

I had a Lumin X1 at the time and wanted to try fiber with it. I purchased the converter even though I'd previously read wklie's post long ago that stated a switch might sound better than a media converter for some reason.

After I set it up the media convertor, I listened for a few days and found a very obvious decline in sound quality. The best description is fuzzy and constrained sounding.

Subsequently I bought a switch cheaper than the convertor and the sound vastly improved. I still use the switch along with an iFi power supply with great results.

Hopefully, you have better luck with them.

Originally Posted by Rnrmf

I bought the Star Tech media converter in early 2022 thinking it must be okay because it's not the cheapest.

I had a Lumin X1 at the time and wanted to try fiber with it. I purchased the converter even though I'd previously read wklie's post long ago that stated a switch might sound better than a media converter for some reason.

After I set it up the media convertor, I listened for a few days and found a very obvious decline in sound quality. The best description is fuzzy and constrained sounding.

Subsequently I bought a switch cheaper than the convertor and the sound vastly improved. I still use the switch along with an iFi power supply with great results.

Hopefully, you have better luck with them.

Thank you Christian. I actually ordered the Star Tech and the GTek and I've decided to do some audio testing to seen which combo's I like.

I also took Puma Cat's advice on the items from PT to order as well.

Thanks Puma Cat for the recommendation!

IMG_1371.JPG

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Thanks Puma Cat for the recommendation!

IMG_1371.JPG

Cheers and Happy Holidays.

I'm bookmarking this but have some RME and Ferrofish Madi recording boxes with SFP (SC, I think) yet to hook those up optically, running analog atm into thunderbolt.

But related to here I might try to loop it all including hfii on optical network (modem/optical/server streamer (Lumin) via SFP's and corning glass?) but let me review thread.

Puma Cat do you run a format converter to jump from the modem to optical? I'm not sure how it works yet. ?modem>format coverter> to break out optical line>to dedicated server/streamer. I wanted to get the conversion to optical straight away, right after the modem, hence the format convert? (Beatechnik has a new box for it). Or, I coud run lines of copper ethernet to a 6 foot optcal convertor/SFP server, and probably be good. I bet that would make more $sense.

Wifi router for non-audio gadgets. Lemme get out the white board and skectch a flow chart. More wires upon wires upon wires. ugh. I'm not even at power supplies yet. (re-wiring-in a sub panel this Spring, digging in a new ground rod)

Happy holidays, EOY.

Originally Posted by XRS

I'm bookmarking this but have some RME and Ferrofish Madi recording boxes with SFP (SC, I think) yet to hook those up optically, running analog atm into thunderbolt.

But related to here I might try to loop it all including hfii on optical network (modem/optical/server streamer (Lumin) via SFP's and corning glass?) but let me review thread.

Puma Cat do you run a format converter to jump from the modem to optical? I'm not sure how it works yet. ?modem>format coverter> to break out optical line>to dedicated server/streamer. I wanted to get the conversion to optical straight away, right after the modem, hence the format convert? (Beatechnik has a new box for it). Or, I coud run lines of copper ethernet to a 6 foot optcal convertor/SFP server, and probably be good. I bet that would make more $sense.

Wifi router for non-audio gadgets. Lemme get out the white board and skectch a flow chart. More wires upon wires upon wires. ugh. I'm not even at power supplies yet. (re-wiring-in a sub panel this Spring, digging in a new ground rod)

Happy holidays, EOY.

This is my current set-up:


The LC/LC optical transceiver that plugs into the SFP cage of the Lumin P1 is also a Planet Tech MGB-TL40.

Also have the iFi DC Purifier2s between the SMPS’ DC cables that power the crap Pace router and Alita in the RSR. These brought a notable improvement, also.