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

[MacF]

Couldn't agree with you more! You articulated exactly what I've been noticing for several months now. This cable connects 2 Sonore OMD's and isn't going anywhere!

 

[matthias]

From listening impressions there seems to be a pattern that 24AWG DAC cables are superior sounding to 30AWG cables.
For example the Melco is 24AWG while the Taiko original mentioned by @Nils is 30AWG.
I don't want to claim that the Melco is superior only because it uses 24AWG, far from it.
But when comparing DAC cables it makes more sense when all cables in the comparison use 24AWG wiring and have the same length.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

From listening impressions there seems to be a pattern that 24AWG DAC cables are superior sounding to 30AWG cables.
For example the Melco is 24AWG while the Taiko original mentioned by @Nils is 30AWG.
I don't want to claim that the Melco is superior only because it uses 24AWG, far from it.
But when comparing DAC cables it makes more sense when all cables in the comparison use 24AWG wiring and have the same length.

It is also the length of the cable it is only available in a 2 meter length.

 

[Nils]

The DAC standard require a 100 Ohms impedence - this is obviously impacted by the cable's length.

That is why MELCO only supplies their cable in 2m length.

The stock IT DAC cable supplied by Taiko comes in 0,5m ... 7m lengths...

 

[audiobomber]

The DAC standard require a 100 Ohms impedence - this is obviously impacted by the cable's length.

That is why MELCO only supplies their cable in 2m length.

The stock IT DAC cable supplied by Taiko comes in 0,5m ... 7m lengths...

DAC impedance is its characteristic impedance. It can't be measured with a simple ohmmeter and is unaffected by length.

"Characteristic impedance is determined by the geometry and materials of the transmission line and, for a uniform line, is not dependent on its length."

Characteristic impedance - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Republicoftexas69]

DAC impedance is its characteristic impedance. It can't be measured with a simple ohmmeter and is unaffected by length.

"Characteristic impedance is determined by the geometry and materials of the transmission line and, for a uniform line, is not dependent on its length."

Characteristic impedance - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Melco claims otherwise and designed this cable and found that the 2m length had the best properties and sound?.

 

[audiobomber]

Melco claims otherwise and designed this cable and found that the 2m length had the best properties and sound?.

Regardless of what anyone claims, cable length is in no way related to the specified 100 ohm characteristic impedance of a direct attach cable. Nor of a coax cable, clock cable, microphone cable, ethernet cable, etc.

 

[audiobomber]

Melco claims otherwise

Can you show me where you see this? I couldn't find it.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Can you show me where you see this? I couldn't find it.

Sorry it was from an article on the cable. Regardless they are quoting Melco.
The new Melco C1-D20 SFP Direct Attach cable is expected to deliver “unsurpassed performance,” according to the manufacturer.

If you are looking to fine-tune your high-end installation, it is definitely time to start getting interested in cabling at some point. If you have devices with an SFP port, the new Melco C1-D20 SFP cable may come in handy, for example. It allows you to bypass traditional network connections. Plus, you have direct control over plug, cable and electronics. The Melco C1-D20 cable is covered in a braided PVC jacket. Inside the cable you will find two silver-plated OFC conductors. Each of those conductors is in turn separately shielded.

The cable is only available in a length of 2 meters, according to the manufacturer, that is part of the design. You’ll have to pay €899 for the C1-D20.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Can you show me where you see this? I couldn't find it.

Oh and this.

Melco C1-D20 SFP+ Direct Attach Network Cable | Hifi Pig

www.hifipig.com

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Can you show me where you see this? I couldn't find it.

From Melco site.

• Two metres long and designed to reflect the requirements of transmitting digital audio where stability and minimising errors are more important than absolute transmission rates.

 

[audiobomber]

From Melco site.

• Two metres long and designed to reflect the requirements of transmitting digital audio where stability and minimising errors are more important than absolute transmission rates.

None of that relates impedance to length, which is what we are discussing. Cable construction affects impedance, and implemented correctly will match the required spec for a dac; 100 ohms, +/- 10%. Length is not a factor in that spec.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

None of that relates impedance to length, which is what we are discussing. Cable construction affects impedance, and implemented correctly will match the required spec for a dac; 100 ohms, +/- 10%. Length is not a factor in that spec.

Don't kill the messenger. It is their design. And it is repeated multiple times in various articles and reviews. Think I will put my money on the OEM on this one. I have no horse in this race. My give the Amphenol product a try though, in a 2m length.

 

[TRHH]

My give the Amphenol product a try though, in a 2m length.

Good idea Amphenol SFP+ 10GbE direct attach passive copper cable (DAC), quad-shielded 30 AWG twin-axial SKEWCLEAR wire
(SF-SFPP2EPASS-002)



Torben

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Good idea Amphenol SFP+ 10GbE direct attach passive copper cable (DAC), quad-shielded 30 AWG twin-axial SKEWCLEAR wire
(SF-SFPP2EPASS-002)

View attachment 133914

Torben

Torben. You have given this cable a try?
If so what are your impressions?

 

[TRHH]

Torben. You have given this cable a try?
If so what are your impressions?

It came yesterday from the US. First impression very positive, but i will compare later this WE

Torben

 

[engadin]

The Afterdark version did arrive here.
Unfortunately I cannot evaluate them, as system is down for other reasons

 

[Republicoftexas69]

It came yesterday from the US. First impression very positive, but i will compare later this WE

Torben

Awesome! Keep us posted, may just order one for fun now.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

A few things to watch out for when using a Direct Attach Cable:
1. There is no galvanic isolation, because there is no optical conversion. The devices on both ends of the cable need to be connected to the same ground point, otherwise there will be a ground loop. Ground plane current in a digital system does not show up as a hum or buzz like it does in an analog system, but will negatively impact sound quality from the DAC.
2. Unlike fiber optic cable, copper cable is subject to EMI/RFI. That's why the maximum length is usually specified at 15 meters and preferably no more than 9 meters. Shortest is best.
3. The C1-D20 is SFP+. If you connect to a 10Gb device upstream and a 1Gb device downstream. it will not work. A gigabit device cannot decode a 10G datastream. If the devices at both ends are equal, either 1G or 10G, there's no problem.

That is a frustrating article, because he says "I swapped back to the standard optical SFP cable I was previously using", with no indication of which SFP or cable he was using.

I haven't heard a DAC cable in my system, but I suspect the results are the same as most everything in audio. Whether it is better or not will depend on system synergy and personal preference.

I actually find that I prefer the sound of my FCBG110SD1C01 over my FTLX1475D3BTL in my system and the optical cable is direct attach. Did place an order for the Amphenol DAC 2m will be here next week. More to come...

 

[Republicoftexas69]

It came yesterday from the US. First impression very positive, but i will compare later this WE

Torben

Just arrived here and so far I am impressed. More to come….