Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable : the first in audiophile market

CKKeung · Jan 6, 2024

I must say that Emile/Taiko Audio is the pioneer, applying Direct Attach Cables in their CAS products.

Ben Lau, the Taiko dealer in Hong Kong tried several IT industry DAC cables in the Taiko CAS connection and they gave different sonic performance. It's fun!

Here comes the first DAC cable from the CAS audiophile brand of Melco : Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (called Dela Audio in Japan domestic market).

C1

オーディオ専用に開発されたSFP LANケーブル「C1」の商品ページです。

www.dela-audio.com

The build looks very nice.

Screenshot_2024-01-07-08-44-01-810_com.android.chrome-edit.jpg

A Taiwan audiophile who employed MSB dac tested the cable and gave his views here, pls read with google translate :

[心得] Melco C1 SFP DAC 簡易心得 - Audiophile板 - Disp BBS

*此DAC非彼DAC* (melco官網還沒更新蠻奇特的) C1 - DELA - 日本の高級オーディオ機器の技術で開発された唯一のストレージ＆ネットワーク製品ブランドオーディオ専用に開発されたS

disp.cc

The Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable is only available as parallel import in Hong Kong currently.
I will audition it once it is available officially at dealers.

7ryder · Jan 7, 2024

It's available from Afterdark https://www.adark.co/products/dela-c1-sfp-sfp-lan-cable

shawnf · Jan 7, 2024

For owners of the current crop of MSB DACs that use the Pro ISL and Pro USB interface, some users from Japan have swapped out the fiber optic transceiver modules and experimented with direct-attached-copper.

One Japanese owner said he still preferred the sound with the original fiber optic transceivers.

As always, YMMV.

TMY168 · Jan 24, 2024

Hello,

Today I just have a chance to try the Melco C1 SFP cable betwwen my Zayin Audio Stargate and SOtM sNH-10G Special Edition (Full Option) switches. It replaced my old Finisar FTLF1324P2BTV SFP+ transceiver & FIS Fiber Optic Patch Cable (glass). IMO, the sound is much fuller, more organic, and so smooth. I prefer Melco cable to my previous set up. This cable is staying!

The system I'm using is just a humble Pachanko Labs Constellation Reference, as Roon Core, with Diretta to Olio.Spec Canarino Bridge DUB, attached to LampizatOr Golden Gate 3 into Hegel P30A & H30A and Dynaudio Confidence 20.

Of course, YMMV.

CKKeung · Jan 24, 2024

TMY168 said:
Hello,

Today I just have a chance to try the Melco C1 SFP cable betwwen my Zayin Audio Stargate and SOtM sNH-10G Special Edition (Full Option) switches. It replaced my old Finisar FTLF1324P2BTV SFP+ transceiver & FIS Fiber Optic Patch Cable (glass). IMO, the sound is much fuller, more organic, and so smooth. I prefer Melco cable to my previous set up. This cable is staying!

The system I'm using is just a humble Pachanko Labs Constellation Reference, as Roon Core, with Diretta to Olio.Spec Canarino Bridge DUB, attached to LampizatOr Golden Gate 3 into Hegel P30A & H30A and Dynaudio Confidence 20.

Of course, YMMV.

Good info.
Thanks!
BTW your CAS setup, particularly the Pachanko server, are very good stuff.

CKKeung · Feb 17, 2024

Highly recommended by EAR :

Melco C1-D20 SFP+: A Direct Network Connection | The Ear

Up until Melco told me about the so-called C1-D20 SFP+ direct attach cable I understood that SFP cables were exclusively optical and used glass or plastic

the-ear.net

matthias · Feb 17, 2024

CKKeung said:
Highly recommended by EAR :

Melco C1-D20 SFP+: A Direct Network Connection | The Ear

Up until Melco told me about the so-called C1-D20 SFP+ direct attach cable I understood that SFP cables were exclusively optical and used glass or plastic

the-ear.net

Unfortunately they didn't compare to a non "audiophile" DAC cable.

Kingsrule · Feb 17, 2024

shawnf said:
For owners of the current crop of MSB DACs that use the Pro ISL and Pro USB interface, some users from Japan have swapped out the fiber optic transceiver modules and experimented with direct-attached-copper.

One Japanese owner said he still preferred the sound with the original fiber optic transceivers.

As always, YMMV.

I too prefer the fiber cable from PRO USB to DD
Maybe "audio" SFP+ cables will make a difference

bbill · Mar 29, 2024

have you compared the Melco cable with this cable from FS??

https://www.fs.com/products/40160.html

bbill · Mar 29, 2024

I have this FS "DAC" cable just before my network drive and I would like to compare it one day with the Melco

MacF · Jun 9, 2024

TMY168 said:
Hello,

Today I just have a chance to try the Melco C1 SFP cable betwwen my Zayin Audio Stargate and SOtM sNH-10G Special Edition (Full Option) switches. It replaced my old Finisar FTLF1324P2BTV SFP+ transceiver & FIS Fiber Optic Patch Cable (glass). IMO, the sound is much fuller, more organic, and so smooth. I prefer Melco cable to my previous set up. This cable is staying!

The system I'm using is just a humble Pachanko Labs Constellation Reference, as Roon Core, with Diretta to Olio.Spec Canarino Bridge DUB, attached to LampizatOr Golden Gate 3 into Hegel P30A & H30A and Dynaudio Confidence 20.

Of course, YMMV.

I replaced my top tier Finisar SFP's & Corning Premium Fiber with the Melco C1 Direct Attach as well. This purchase was not cheap (around $850-$950). Ordered mine from Wally at Underwood HiFi. It was shipped quickly from Luxman. The Melco C1 cable connects 2 Sonore Optical Modules Deluxe that are between Verizon Fios G-3100 router & switch. Muon Pro & Muon Pro Streaming Cable are between switch & streamer.

No need for A/B test because the differences were obvious & quite pleasant indeed. Signifantly deeper soundstage & with that an even more realistic feel for the room, more distance between layers, as if you can see & hear the other side of the instrument, creating a more 3D image. It's as if you can reach out & hold each note in your hands.

Suffice to say, I am grinning from ear to ear. I will happily provide more feedback when the run-in process is complete.

Place the Melco C1 in your isolated system & you'll be in for a real treat.

audiophilac1 · Jun 9, 2024

@MacF were your finisar SFPs FTLX1475?

jaxdr · Jun 9, 2024

MacF said:
I replaced my top tier Finisar SFP's & Corning Premium Fiber with the Melco CI Direct Attach as well. This purchase was not cheap (around $850-$950). Ordered mine from Wally at Undetwood HiFi. It was shipped quickly from Luxman. The Melco C1 cable connects 2 Sonore Optical Modules Deluxe that are between Verizon Fios G-3100 router & switch. Muon Pro & Muon Pro Streaming Cable are between switch & streamer.

No need for A/B test because the differences were obvious & quite pleasant indeed. Signifantly deeper soundstage & with that an even more realistic feel for the room, more distance between layers, as if you can see & hear the other side of the instrument, creating a more 3D image. It's as if you can reach out & hold each note in your hands.

Suffice to say, I am grinning from ear to ear. I will happily provide more feedback when the run-in process is complete.

Place the Melco C1 in your isolated system & you'll be in for a real treat.

Agree with the overall assessments of the Melco Direct Attach Cable. I trialed one of these cables between a Taiko switch and my Extreme. The benefits were so significant that I will be trialing 2 more to add between my pair of SOtM sNH-10g switches and the Taiko switch.

I hear a more relaxed, more natural sound. A slight increase in transparency and soundstage depth/height. I am not sure the added benefits to transparency and soundstage would justify the expenditure. However, the more relaxed and natural sound leads to longer and more enjoyable listening sessions.

Up to now most of my listening is done with analog. I suspect these cables will tip the scales leading to much more time with my DAC?
Time will tell.

audiobomber · Jun 9, 2024

audiophilac1 said:
@MacF were your finisar SFPs FTLX1475?

More importantly, are they BTL?

FTLX1475D3BCL -> Enterprise Grade ($)
FTLX1475D3BNL -> Datacenter Grade ($$)
FTLX1475D3BTL -> Industrial Grade ($$$) This model is in highest specification with better quality on laser components and better build with various tests. The result is ultra low latency on signal transfer for Audio. Image is more refined and details.

Finisar SFP+ Modules for Audio Grade Network Switch (Group Buy for Audiophilestyle.com)

audiophilestyle.com

audiophilac1 · Jun 9, 2024

Also, Corning cables manufactured directly from Corning?

Melco's SFP+ operates at 10G? I am trying to find a spec sheet that writes whats its speed other than relying on the word "SFP+"

MacF · Jun 9, 2024

audiophilac1 said:
@MacF were your finisar SFPs FTLX1475?

Yes they are. i don't have the Finisar part # handy right now, but I'll let you know in about an hour. I do recall it ending in BTL.

MacF · Jun 9, 2024

check out March (I believe) 2024 edition for a recent review. You may find it insightful.

MacF · Jun 9, 2024

MacF said:
check out March (I believe) 2024 edition for a recent review. You may find it insightful.

Of EAR publication

nonesup · Jun 9, 2024

jaxdr said:
Agree with the overall assessments of the Melco Direct Attach Cable. I trialed one of these cables between a Taiko switch and my Extreme. The benefits were so significant that I will be trialing 2 more to add between my pair of SOtM sNH-10g switches and the Taiko switch.

I hear a more relaxed, more natural sound. A slight increase in transparency and soundstage depth/height. I am not sure the added benefits to transparency and soundstage would justify the expenditure. However, the more relaxed and natural sound leads to longer and more enjoyable listening sessions.

Up to now most of my listening is done with analog. I suspect these cables will tip the scales leading to much more time with my DAC?
Time will tell.

Yes, that was my case, I bought one to connect the Extreme and the Taiko Switch and I ended up buying a second cable to connect this one with the Taiko Router. Definitely money well spent.

nonesup · Jun 9, 2024

Melco C1 SFP+ Direct Attach Cable : the first in audiophile market

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