Optimising optical: converter, SFP module and cable choices

[torbenrick (A Dane living in Hamburg)]

@Anupc - I am not sure we are talking about the same filter. I am not sure what you mean by filter?

I am talking about broadband line filter.

Torben

[Anupc (Anup)]

Care to explain what you believe a “Broadband line filer” is?

[jandersonhill (Jeremy)]

@TheFlash

Perhaps you already know that @jandersonhill uses a switch into a standalone FMC so that’s why you were so specific.

For clarification, I’m currently using a Ubiquiti Unifi switch (the main switch for my study) into a Network Acoustics switch running over 10m of Single Mode fibre (both switches have SFP ports).

[TheFlash (Nigel of Reiki Audio)]

@TheFlash

@Anupc

Here’s an example from when someone raised the Sonore Optical module (take a look at the picture, it’s the “audiophile tax” in action )

Well Brian, as they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words; [Sonore vs. TrendNet] Top: Sonore’s previous model optical module (non “Deluxe”). Price $395 Bottom: TrendNet Fibre Media converter that provides the same exact function (virtually identical to the TP-Link one). Price $46.99 The TrendNet is better in every single way, from power regulation, to completely discrete Ethernet Magnetics, for basically a tenth the price. Granted I don’t know what the Sonore “Deluxe” model looks like inside…

At risk of confusing by quoting a quote from another thread:
Did you pick the TFC1000MGA for any particular reason or could it just as well have been any other Trendnet SGP media converter? The visual contrast is indeed quite stark, but I wondered if there was anything specific which makes it stand out from the crowd.

@Anupc

I’ve had the TrendNet for a quite a few years (among others). IIRC, I originally picked for a specific reason, but I can’t quite recall for sure, but I think it was for the number of discrete components it had.

@Ermos

For everybody interested in the TRENDnet TFC-1000MGA: there is a new version, the old one is discontinued:

DISCONTINUED PRODUCT

The TRENDnet TFC-1000MGA (Version v1.0R) has been discontinued. It has been replaced by the TFC-1000MGA (Version v2.0R) .

@BillK

As is par for such things, I would expect v2.0R to also be significantly cost reduced in terms of internal components such that Anupc might not select it over alternatives now.

Dusting off a few relevant posts as my Trendnet TFC-1000MGA duo arrived today from the US. I’m going to send them straight back as the mains plugs have a pin missing

@BillK was spot on. Nowhere near as impressive a build of discrete components as @Anupc 's v1.0.

[Anupc (Anup)]

@TheFlash

Nowhere near as impressive a build of discrete components as @Anupc 's v1.0.

I only see 1 major change, the removal of a choke - which arguably was for chassis hot-insertion. And a couple of minor changes, like the through-hole Capacitor replace by an MLCC, and through-hole Crystals replaced by Surface-mount ones.

The most important aspect, the discrete Ethernet Port magnetics remains, although they seemed to have changed supplier for that part, but the specifications look identical.

V2 looks to be more about manufacturing modernisation/efficiency rather than cost-cutting.

[BillK]

@Anupc

V2 looks to be more about manufacturing modernisation/efficiency rather than cost-cutting.

Moving to more surface mount components and more manufacturing efficiency is cost cutting.

The Realtek RTL8367SB-CG used for the V2 module is also a bit cheaper than the RTL8213M used on the V1 module.

Cost cutting does not mean poorer performance per se, but rather the cost savings must have been great enough for them to bother to spin the board as none of the obvious components on the V1 board come up as discontinued, the other reason boards usually get respun.

[TheFlash (Nigel of Reiki Audio)]

@Anupc

I only see 1 major change, the removal of a choke - which arguably was for chassis hot-insertion. And a couple of minor changes, like the through-hole Capacitor replace by an MLCC, and through-hole Crystals replaced by Surface-mount ones.

The most important aspect, the discrete Ethernet Port magnetics remains, although they seemed to have changed supplier for that part, but the specifications look identical.

V2 looks to be more about manufacturing modernisation/efficiency rather than cost-cutting.

@BillK

Moving to more surface mount components and more manufacturing efficiency is cost cutting.

The Realtek RTL8367SB-CG used for the V2 module is also a bit cheaper than the RTL8213M used on the V1 module.

Cost cutting does not mean poorer performance per se, but rather the cost savings must have been great enough for them to bother to spin the board as none of the obvious components on the V1 board come up as discontinued, the other reason boards usually get respun.

Thanks both; I think you’re in violent agreement! Cost-cutting and efficiency are basically the same thing viewed through different lenses; you could argue they may have different primary drivers if you wanted to do the hair-splitting thing but I don’t think there’s much to be gained.

@Anupc obviously knows enough about circuit boards to recognise a choke and @BillK obviously knows enough about circuit board production to use terms like spinning. Got to admire an expert.

Suitably reassured here. Listening to follow.

[torbenrick (A Dane living in Hamburg)]

I just discovered this product: TeraDak T-S211 (SC)

https://kamaudio.com/TeraDak-T-S211-media-converter

With a TCXO or OCXO clock. The OCXO version is 100$ on top. Not sure what the benefit would be.

Torben

[TheFlash (Nigel of Reiki Audio)]

As discussed elsewhere, yet another product which helps to reinforce the myth that ethernet clock accuracy can have any impact on the quality of digital data which emerges.

Having said that, it doesn’t seem to have attracted the audiophile tax so might be bargaintastic…

Will take a closer look. Thanks