KunterK

I have been using SOTM cables and the network switch for a good while now and I am very happy with them. When I saw the CAT8 announcement and the very bold claims, the itch started.. The claims "With the dCBL-CAT8M, there is much clearer transparency as if a closed door were being opened. The distinctly different textures of each instrument that were hiding in the music were revealed, even though, no one ever thought that sound quality was not sufficient before in the system without the dCBL-CAT8M. In your entire system, you will also feel the same dramatical improvement by a simple Ethernet cable replacement to the dCBL-CAT8M." I could not resist the itch, and ordered a 2.5m Christmas edition. The color is a bold red which looks great. The signal chain: Google Mesh, PPA battery powered (unfortunately the system is far from the internet modem and I had to carry network wirelessly) Cat6 Mikrotik router Fiber SOTM sNH-10G switch with OXCO clock SOTM dCBL-CAT7 to Nucleus SOTM dCBL-CAT7 to dCS Network Bridge Mogami XLR Cable with Bocchino connectors Kii Three - BXT Last night I changed the cable from the Switch to Network Bridge. Lifting a veil or curtain is used as description in audiophile reviews. SOTM claims "opening a door". And yes, they are right. Not that I had any problems with the sound before. But the addition of CAT8 transformed the system. I cannot say increased resolution, more bass, etc. Everything jumps a huge jump to coherency. I can focus on different instruments in the music very easily as if I am going next to that performer to listen closely. I can then step back and enjoy the whole picture. I don't want to call the overall effect "revealing" but I cannot find a better word. Yes it is as if opening a door, and being exposed to the real thing. In the initial hour the performance improved a great deal, and I am eager to hear if anything further improves in the next couple of days as things settle down. Another friend ordered the cable at the same time so I had access to one more and I had to try changing the Nucleus - Switch CAT7 connection as well... Yes a similar jump, this time more on "focusing and soundstage" . Everything just sounds "right", not that it was "wrong" before. I invested too much time and money to enjoy good music at home. I am really happy that I did this "upgrade" and yes I will order the second cable. The cost is not easy to swallow, but considering the overall cost of the system and the amount of "correctness and enjoyment" it brings, I can very easily convince myself it is a good investment. Trying out one in your system, especially if you think you have a top performing system already, is recommended. Cheers

If you did not change directions yet, I would recommend connecting the dCS directly to the master Kii with Aes. You might like what you hear. Make sure the cable you try is a good one though.

I am already at version 2 (first night it was out 2 months ago. Managed to upgrade after a very long session with hands on support from Thomas, as initially things did not go as planned, hence the delay in final software release I guess). I understand there is another polishing release expected this weekend so I will wait a bit more to jump to the final version. Maybe next week? Cheers

Probably auto-negotiation is failing in the default configuration. A simple connection via web interface may solve the issue. You can manually determine the communication speed for the connection to your FMC... But since the failing connection is the one to reach the switch itself, you need to connect separately through RJ45 man port... Might be too much of a hassle, but in my case the result was worth it. I use the Mikrotik as an FMC. Just before dCS NB, receiving optical from SOTM switch. You may also try copper connection to Mikrotik from Google, eliminating your FMC and additional optical connection (you are isolating the network anyways after Mikrotik). You need to do a small adjustment as well, since by default the switch configuration does not include the RJ45 connection in switching, reserving it just for management. In my case adding another copper SFP further improved performance since the copper connection is apparently not Duplex? This is the RJ45 SFP I use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L6PQ6I2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 Cheers

Based on the views here, I started experimenting on the remote's usb input as opposed to the XLR digital. Sounds promising. Anyone experienced burn-in on the remote USB? Should I expect change in sound in the times to come? Feeding directly from the USB output of Nucleus.

Finally managed to configure Mikrotik as a Switch (rather than the default config of bridged router). Much more relaxed and detailed like this...

Has anyone tried fiber attenuators with TP-Link 311LS? Startech has 80km which should be happier with attenuation, but TP-Link also has a 10km range? A good single mode cable has attenuation of 0.2 - 0.4 db per km so 1db attenuation simulates 2.5 to 5km of cable. I now have Startech and TP-Link to play around and do comparisons. Startech without attenuators is boringly correct (if there is such a thing) so I am eagerly waiting for some attenuators to arrive. Also the fiber cable makes some difference in performance. I had locally sourced SM cables and the ones I received from Amazon (sold by H!Fiber.com sound better to my ears. They should not let us audiophiles near these things!

Is anyone powering a SOTM snh-10g (preferably with clock) with LPS 1.2? The specs are within limits of the LPS, so it should work... I would like to hear performance benefits. I have 2 switches, one powered by Uptone JS-2 and one by SBooster. Anyone compared the performance with these? Cheers...

No I did not do the comparison...

MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN Just replaced the receiving TP-Link 220L (same TP-Link SFP, SBooster 24v instead of SBooster 9v). Thank you for the suggestion. Unbelievable. Sender still 220L. Cheers

I would strongly recommend you try the NB with an aftermarket fuse. I have very good milage with the not-so-expensive AMR gold... Tried others but still prefer AMR. It is directional. In my experience, sound is better (more detailed and composed) when the lettering starts from the plastic fuse holder. Happy New Year... KK

Those using SBooster... I think they make fantastic power supplies (I have 5, 9, 19v versions powering low voltage stuff in the system, including Nucleus and Media Converters). Try reversing the AC Cable polarity (easier to do if you are in Europe. Just plug the wall plug the other way around) And definitely use a better AC Cable than the one ships with the units. The ones I received had so poor performance. Cheers.

Congrats and happy listening. The clock cable adds a lot to the overall performance so make sure you try that out. (NB out Dac in with a proper cable) NB sound does not change much on burn in but keeping it powered on does help. Also it responds to good power and vibration management so experiment there. Cheers

Dear Fellow BXT owners. Try providing a second power cable to the Kii Three instead of the jumper cable connecting BXT to Three. I just used the standard cables that came with the Kii's (second set borrowed from a Kii friend) for a good bit of sq improvement. I think the main reason for improvement is, now there is no power cable hovering very closely to the ethernet cables connecting BXT and Three together. The jumper even makes a nice semicircle, I am sure creating all kinds of electromagnetic waves just over the data cables. Also, for the believer in heart, providing better ethernet cables as jumpers proved to be beneficial but YMMV on this one. Just my 2c. Cheers

Thanks. This particular Mogami AES says it is 110 Ohm. And at this price range strongly recommended.