I’ve been trying to install a Sonore Optical Module Deluxe between a Roon server (a NUC) and the Bartók. (An Uptone Audio EtherREGEN provides the fiberoptic-back-to-Ethernet conversion.) In this setup, the Bartók keeps losing the Ethernet connection.
After speaking with Alex Crespi of Uptone audio, I followed his suggestion and moved the Roon server onto one of the Ethernet ports on the EtherREGEN. This reduced but did not eliminate the problem. In any case I have rack configuration reasons why I’d rather not have the Roon server that close to the Bartók.
When this happens, neither the Bartók nor the Roon server lose their IP addresses.
Uptone suggested that the Bartók is designed to very frequently poll the Ethernet connection, and that a long run of Ethernet is enough to make it “lose” the link, which it typically finds again very quickly, but not quickly enough to avoid interrupting the music.
I’d like to hear dCS’ view of this. Any chance the 3.0 software will make this problem go away?
I’m afraid I have no idea what is making the Bartók lose its ethernet connection. I would suggest testing with a simple wired ethernet connection between the Bartók and Roon Server and the switch. If the problem doesn’t manifest then you have eliminated the Bartók as the cause.
3.00 is an FPGA update that adds new signal path settings but doesn’t touch the network interface. We are working on improvements to the network interface but they have nothing to do with 3.00.
John, I can only guess at what might be the problem, but just so that you know…
Not sure if you’re paraphrasing them or if that was their actual statement. Regardless, that’s an absolutely nonsensical rubbish statement. Ethernet is built on strict standards, dCS cannot arbitrarily decide to change how Ethernet works.
The more likely cause of your problem(s) is physical connection issues associated with either your SFPs or the fiber connection, or problems from the EtherREGEN over-heating - which is a well known problem (I own an EtherREGEN that don’t use because it’s a very poorly engineered product).
The EtherREGEN is known to run very hot, which can cause erratic behavior and temporary port failures. Ensure you unit is well-ventilated and away from anything else.
Here’s an example of the absurd hack people have had to do because of this overheating problem;
I have been using a Small Green Computer (I believe the same at the Sonore) optical module for about 9 years now and it has been rock solid. When I first inserted the module I was having some dropout issues. The source of my problem turned out that I had not properly inserted the optical cable into my TP Link switch until I heard it click. Since then no issues.
Just pinging @Superdad as he is registered on this forum and has logged on in the past. I assume he will receive an email from the system indicating his username was mentioned in a post.
Perhaps he would like to log in again and comment about the statement he made referencing the Bartok?
