It’s been a while since I updated this post. Looks like many users have embraced LHY SW-6 and SW-10 as a legitimate audiophile upgrade for their system. I’ve been experimenting with various fiber optic network options including cheap FMCs from Amazon, Sonore OpticalRendu and their FMC as well as another SW-6.
Adding fiber optic using SW-6 SFP port definitely improves the sound, but one combination stood out as leagues above all others. That is, getting rid of my Pi4 based streamer, and feeding OpticalRendu directly from SFP port of SW-6. I cannot explain what it is, but the difference in sonic improvement for this particular setup was night and day in my system. My signal is then fed to Matrix X-SPDIF via AudioQuest Diamond USB, and RAL HDMI into my DSD Dac. I’ve had many streamers in my system including Auralic G2 with Hoer-Wege PSU upgrade, and they all had brought subtle improvement but nothing earth-shattering. This particular combo of OpticalRendu fed directly from SW-6 is so far beyond my expectation, I am not sure what to make of it. I didn’t even know that my system was capable of producing this level of clarity and musicality with vast soundstage. My best guess is that either OpticalRendu has some special synergy with the SW-6 or a streamer with an SFP input will be the best way to go if you already have an optical network setup. I’ve been trying to get my hands on a used Hifi Rose RS130 to try this, but, it’s been hard.
I did not try LHY SW-10, but compared two SW-6 vs. SW-6 to oR, and the latter won by a huge margin. I’ve owned UltraRendu in the past so didn’t expect this kind of jump. My SW-6 via PI4-based streamer was equivalent to Auralic G2 with PSU upgrade. Somehow a single FO ethernet going into OpticalRendu bested everything else I’ve tried. SW6–>SW6–>oR (via ethernet) was similar to SW-6 → PI4 Streamer via ethernet, so the difference was in the direct connection from SW-6 to the streamer via optical. In your case, I think the quality of your ethernet cable might have made the difference. My guess is that there is a real benefit to feeding FO signal into your streamer.
In my system LHY SW-6 is used as an audiophile fiber optic converter prior to SW-10, and it has an isolated Ethernet input that is a big plus too. It can be used with any switch with a F.O. Input and make a great F.O. Setup, I think.
In LHY SW-10 case, I was able to use a 50ohm LHY BNC cable to synchronize the clocks in addition. I really think the twin LHYs setup is hard to beat. But looks like It works great with OpticRendu too.
I think your clock sync makes a big difference. Twin SW-6 will not be able to sync as both clocks are input only. Plus, your Omega ethernet cable probably cost more than my entire digital frontend, so it better make it sound good. One thing I forgot to mention was that Finisar SFP 4175 also made a difference in the smoothness of tone. This is the deepest rabbit hole I’ve followed in my audio journey. I would like to believe that I am near the end of the hole.
Once you achieve a higher level of cleanliness and resolution on streaming, you will notice little things like transceivers make a difference too (like everything else). Finisar SFP is very good, but now I am using Optospan transceivers (forgot which model), they seem to provide even better SQ in my system than Finisar.
Well, I have said that to myself many times. But it seems that I have dug a rabbit hole in quicksand that is impossible to get out. I hope one day I will find daylight Do not follow me!
Lately I had a chance to try LHY FMC in my setup , so I’ll share the subjective results.
NUC → Optical Module Deluxe with Finisar → EtherRegen with Finisar → Paulpang Quad → RPi4
First I tried to remove PaulPang and put LHY FMC instead of EtherRegen. Unfortunally it won’t get link so I had to replace Finisars with default SFP modules which came with EtherRegen and OM.
I was expecting maybe some miracle (seeing the nice internalconstruction of LHY FMC), but did not happen, the original ER setup was a few steps better (and i think not just due SFP+ Finisars) than LHY FMC , while PaulPang is completely another league.
Probably no surprise to others but it was a good learning experience for me
I have heard that Aliexpress is having a sale on LHY gear on Monday, the 17th. Purchase something over $500 and use the code “USSS80” and get $80 off. Plus the prices are supposed to come down on that day.
This could be true or false but I am going to give it a try. Could be SW-10 day for me.
So far my switch from an EtherREGEN to a SW-6 is neither here nor there. It’s a nice piece of kit.
Ah, this one. Yes, I’ve seen this one online in the past. This T31 variant is Cisco compatible. They make an identical one without the Cisco compatibility for less cost. Smart move using short-haul SM modules.
One thing I forgot to mention was that Finisar SFP 4175 also made a difference in the smoothness of tone. This is the deepest rabbit hole I’ve followed in my audio journey. I would like to believe that I am near the end of the hole.
Do not follow me!
