Lumin X1 Fiber - Update?

steinkrieg

steinkrieg

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Greetings,

Since the release of the Lumin X1 there have been quite a few posts (here and elsewhere) regarding best approaches for using the fiber input. There are quite a few different switches, cables, and other gizmos that people have been trying out. In general, it seems that most say there is slightly better transparency vs. high quality ethernet connections, but I have not seen a truly definitive review yet. If there is a great review, then please post a link. Maybe we can update this discussion with these 3 thoughts:.

1. Is there a preferred gear scenario? I want to give it a try, but not sure what gear is considered best at the moment. Or, is the jury still out on gear and cables that are best?

2. Have you used a fiber connection on your X1? What is your opinion on the result?

3. Is it still too early? Is this a subject that will be debated as more and more new products come online to support fiber now and in the future?
 
1. The current recommended configuration is to use a Cisco SG112-24 Compact switch, a pair of single mode 1310nm SFP modules, and LC-LC Duplex 9/125um Corning ClearCurve Single Mode fiber (from ebay).

3. In a fiber vs copper Ethernet demo we held earlier, the conclusion is everyone prefers different things. Some prefer a certain type of SFP modules, and some prefer copper Ethernet (in a really optimized setup where every single network device SMPS on the network is replaced with audiophile LPS). To try the fiber connection it only costs relatively little. See what you prefer after burn-in.
 
wklie said:
1. The current recommended configuration is to use a Cisco SG112-24 Compact switch, a pair of single mode 1310nm SFP modules, and LC-LC Duplex 9/125um Corning ClearCurve Single Mode fiber (from ebay).

3. In a fiber vs copper Ethernet demo we held earlier, the conclusion is everyone prefers different things. Some prefer a certain type of SFP modules, and some prefer copper Ethernet (in a really optimized setup where every single network device SMPS on the network is replaced with audiophile LPS). To try the fiber connection it only costs relatively little. See what you prefer after burn-in.
Click to expand...
This is the configuration I ended up adopting. I'm very satisfied. At first I had doubts about the Cisco as a Ethernet to Fiber converter with all the ethernet unnecessary inputs, but the signal is more stable. I chose the Clones Audio version with the OXCO Clock which allows me to add an external linear power supply (LPS) from "The Linear Solution". The signal is impeccably stable and I really feel like doing justice to the X1 even if it has an internal Femto clock system.

I also ordered from them two other LPSs, one for my modem, as well as another my Synology 718+ NAS, a "Custum Synology LPS Extreme". The NAS is connected into a OXCO Router. Still waiting for those two LPS delivery.
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Envoyé de mon SM-T820 en utilisant Tapatalk
 
Thanks for the comments. I'm pretty happy with my current ethernet set up, so I think I will wait until the fiber conversation (and gear) advances a bit more. So far it seems the differences of ether vs fiber are notable, but not game changers... It's still a new discussion, and I commend Lumin for jumping in the game.
 
wklie said:
1. The current recommended configuration is to use a Cisco SG112-24 Compact switch, a pair of single mode 1310nm SFP modules, and LC-LC Duplex 9/125um Corning ClearCurve Single Mode fiber (from ebay).
Click to expand...

The Cisco switch SG112-24 is now sold at Amazon for less than $99
https://www.amazon.com/SYSTEMS-24-Port-Gigabit-Switch-SG11224NA/dp/B00VPT8XSQ

It is worthwhile to note because:
1. It has SFP slots to enable the use of the optic fiber network in X1
2. Even ignoring the SFP slots, people using other non-Lumin setup have reported positive results

At least two comments say the Amazon photo is wrong, claiming their received product is the compact version instead of the larger rack mount version.

For Roon users, please beware that it has occurred before Cisco managed switches and certain models of Cisco unmanaged switches can cause problems with Roon (some experience network flow control issues). I have not seen Roon users reporting problems with this particular switch so far.
 
I've tried a number of switches and so far this one sounds best

QNAP QSW-1208-8C-US 12-Port

Unmanaged, SFP+, quiet
 
wklie said:
The Cisco switch SG112-24 is now sold at Amazon for less than $99
https://www.amazon.com/SYSTEMS-24-Port-Gigabit-Switch-SG11224NA/dp/B00VPT8XSQ

At least two comments say the Amazon photo is wrong, claiming their received product is the compact version instead of the larger rack mount version.
Click to expand...

I can confirm that the model Amazon ships from this link is indeed the compact version, not the rack mount version in the photo shown in its web page. The compact version photo can be seen here at newegg, which has since reduced the price to match Amazon:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...cisco_sg112-24_compact-_-33-422-828-_-Product
 
wklie said:
1. The current recommended configuration is to use a Cisco SG112-24 Compact switch, a pair of single mode 1310nm SFP modules, and LC-LC Duplex 9/125um Corning ClearCurve Single Mode fiber (from ebay).
Click to expand...

In addition to fs.com and TP-Link SFP modules, I would like to reconfirm that a pair of this Cisco-compatible 1000BASE-LX module from 10Gtek (a brand only, does not imply 10GBase SFP+) also works with the quoted Cisco switch:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U8PN0NQ/ref=psdc_537316_t1_B0000AZJZL

A Lumin X1 user told me in PM that with this setup "Music plays insanely. Much better than with LAN".
 
Thanks Peter for the updates. Honestly, it's a bit confusing at this point as to decide on what is the best solution. Is the Cisco switch still the best option? And... then it seems you are suggesting teh 10Gtek?

Is it possible for you to send links to the total system (switch, modules, cable) that would make this a little easier to buy and try out?
 
Thanks Peter - I assume the module then needs to be installed in the Cisco switch (and take out the existing module)? How does this help?
 
The switch comes with SFP slots without any SFP module, i.e. if you just purchase the switch without anything else you cannot connect fiber to it for networking. SFP modules have to be purchased separately if it is desired to use optical fiber network. Original Cisco SFP modules tend to be much more expensive, so third party SFP modules are much more popular (e.g. 10Gtek, fs.com).

Fiber network helps to eliminate any electrical noise that may travel from copper Ethernet cable to affect downstream DAC SQ.

With Lumin X1, either copper network or the SFP slot can be used for fiber network (but not both at the time), so a user may try each of them and see which sounds better. This is likely setup and preference dependent.
 
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