SOtM sNH-10G Network Switches x2 : The NEW KING of USB/Network Gadget Setup

[Reg19]

I finally had a chance to compare the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M directly to the Finisar FCBG110SD1C05. This could be system dependent, but the Cisco beat the Finisar. Comparatively, the Finisar is quite a bit brighter/thinner sounding. The Cisco is much more dense, solid, smooth and every bit as detailed and transparent. Cisco has a much higher realism factor. It really was no contest for me. It is surprising how different they sound. I was quite happy with the Finisar FCBG110SD1C05, but there is no going back now.

I have a Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL burning in now. It connected my two daisy-chained SOtM 10G switches without any hiccups.

How is the 1318 when compared to the Cisco that you recommend?

 

[Blake]

How is the 1318 when compared to the Cisco that you recommend?

My thoughts are posted here:

Fiber vs. Ethernet sonic differences

@MarcelNL - Very interesting. Did you install just a cheap switch? Torben yeah, ISP fiber goes straight into the Fritzbox 5530, from there on one stretch of CAT6 to a cheap Netgear 205(I think) which serves the house wired internet (IPTV mainly). The AP is still connected directly to the...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Reg19]

My thoughts are posted here:

Fiber vs. Ethernet sonic differences

@MarcelNL - Very interesting. Did you install just a cheap switch? Torben yeah, ISP fiber goes straight into the Fritzbox 5530, from there on one stretch of CAT6 to a cheap Netgear 205(I think) which serves the house wired internet (IPTV mainly). The AP is still connected directly to the...

www.whatsbestforum.com

Thanks!
Might I ask where you purchased the Cisco fiber / SFP?
The ‘regular’ places I looked they just had their clones and not the real thing.

 

[Blake]

Ebay, but yes, you need to look very carefully at the pics to confirm you are getting the real thing.

 

[valicu2000]

A bit offtopic here, I purchased a Mutec REF10 and tried to connect to one SOtM sNH-10G (75ohm with matching Sommer Cable) but it seems that it doesn't lock to the external clock, at least there's no audible difference. Shouldn't there be a visual indicator on the SOtM when locked on the external master clock?

 

[diaZ]

Hello valicu2000,
if you look from the top of the SOtM sNH-10G you can see a green LED light blinking inside in one second rhythm.
With a correctly connected 10 MHz external clock a additional second green LED light starts left of the blinking light
to shine steady.
The problem with the Mutec Ref 10 is his square wave output. Its not a perfect match with the sine wave input of the
SOtM. But it should work nonetheless and you will find the second LED light.
The missmatch with the wave form is similar audible like a cabel impedance missmatch.

 

[valicu2000]

Hello valicu2000,
if you look from the top of the SOtM sNH-10G you can see a green LED light blinking inside in one second rhythm.
With a correctly connected 10 MHz external clock a additional second green LED light starts left of the blinking light
to shine steady.
The problem with the Mutec Ref 10 is his square wave output. Its not a perfect match with the sine wave input of the
SOtM. But it should work nonetheless and you will find the second LED light.
The missmatch with the wave form is similar audible like a cabel impedance missmatch.

Thank you very much @diaZ ! Today I've installed by myself the CLK input + firmware for a second sNH-10G switch and this one locks on the Mutec's clock (I have a solid green LED lit next to the blinking LED). The first switch was upgraded at the local dealer (I couldn't test it earlier) but I suspect that the firmware was not upgraded, I can't get a locking on the external clock, tried 3 different BNC cables.

 

[l_santista]

more offtopic here, but I should try the mutec with my SotM ultra neo streamer tonight. @valicu2000 's message got me a bit worried no connection will be stabilished. Will see!

 

[valicu2000]

All good here, I've flashed the modified firmware on the 1st SOtM Ethernet switch and now I have 2x SOtM sNH-10G locked on Mutec REF10, both connected through a 0.5m single mode fiber and industrial FS.com transcievers. After the Mutec burn-in I will try connecting the switches with a higher grade ethernet cable ... some people like more the ethernet cable between switches, other like the galvanic isolation provided by fiber optic.

 

[Reg19]

Does the ‘external clock to sNH-10G’ approach help if (1) we’re feeding the DAC via USB (asynchronously) from streamer / renderer / reclocker, and (2) it is a decent DAC (Holo May Level or above) with a decent clock?

 

[allvinyl]

Ebay, but yes, you need to look very carefully at the pics to confirm you are getting the real thing.

Yes, but comparing these 2 ads and prices, how do you discern if either/both are genuine? I did try to "look carefully" but, perhaps, I don't know the specific details to look for.

NEW SEALED GENUINE CISCO SFP-10G-AOC5M - 10GBASE Active Optical Cable 5M | eBay

10GBASE Active Optical SFP+Cable SM.

tinyurl.com

and

Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M 10GBASE SFP / 10-2844-01 New (SEALED) | eBay

Brand New never used- Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M 10GBASE SFP still sealed

tinyurl.com

 

[Totima]

The Sotm sNH-10G I received was a 9 volt but I changed it up to 12 volt (optional via a simple internal change of a lug) and am now using a 12v Kingrex linear psu which I already had.

Sounds great. Beautiful balance and just brings a touch more musical flow and natural timbre with a nice upswing of lively punch to the dynamics as well. Happy with the investment of putting a switch in here.

Here is a review by Jay Luong recently on Audio Bacon. Nice rant at the very start on subjectivity and objectivity in reviewing... Jay is a fairly straight shooter.

https://audiobacon.net/2019/04/05/sotm-snh-10g-audiophile-ethernet-switch-review/amp/

By any chance do you have any more info on where you made the change from 9-12V? Was it an internal jumper that you changed? Think about doing this as well.

 

[the sound of Tao]

By any chance do you have any more info on where you made the change from 9-12V? Was it an internal jumper that you changed? Think about doing this as well.

Hi Totima,
Yes… it was just an internal jumper but it’s so long ago now I’d suggest you check in with Sotm to get confirmation that is till the procedure and a internal pic on which is the one and which way to change it.

 

[valicu2000]

By any chance do you have any more info on where you made the change from 9-12V? Was it an internal jumper that you changed? Think about doing this as well.

Hello,

Here is the info: http://www.sotm-audio.com/files/Accessories/sCLK-EX/sCLK-EX_Operating_Instructions_Rev1.5_EN.pdf
The jumper JP341 is in the lower left part of the board in the image below, next to the red cables for power in. It's located on the internal clock board sCLK-10EX.

 

[libodao1977]

All good here, I've flashed the modified firmware on the 1st SOtM Ethernet switch and now I have 2x SOtM sNH-10G locked on Mutec REF10, both connected through a 0.5m single mode fiber and industrial FS.com transcievers. After the Mutec burn-in I will try connecting the switches with a higher grade ethernet cable ... some people like more the ethernet cable between switches, other like the galvanic isolation provided by fiber optic.

I would like to ask how to refresh the firmware of Sotm switch? Thank you so much!

 

[valicu2000]

Hello!

What do you mean by "refresh"? Do you have the firmware file and just want to rewrite it? I guess not ...
For the flashing operation you'll need:
- the Atmel Flip application: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/flip
- a special USB cable (Type A at the PC end and a smaller connector at the SOtM switch .. in the picture above, look at the right side above "SEL1" text and below those 4 resistors there is a 4-pin connector)

For the firmware you need to contact SOtM (May is great at customer support: may.park@sotm-audio.com) and provide them the serial number located under that clock board. They charged me $100 for this operation. Optionally they can send you also the USB cable, clock IN connector and cable for some extra $.


Hope it helps,
Valentin

 

[libodao1977]

Hello!

What do you mean by "refresh"? Do you have the firmware file and just want to rewrite it? I guess not ...
For the flashing operation you'll need:
- the Atmel Flip application: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/flip
- a special USB cable (Type A at the PC end and a smaller connector at the SOtM switch .. in the picture above, look at the right side above "SEL1" text and below those 4 resistors there is a 4-pin connector)

For the firmware you need to contact SOtM (May is great at customer support: may.park@sotm-audio.com) and provide them the serial number located under that clock board. They charged me $100 for this operation. Optionally they can send you also the USB cable, clock IN connector and cable for some extra $.


Hope it helps,
Valentin

Thank you very much, the explanation is very clear, I will contact sotm.

 

[lighthouse]

Hello!

Has anyone connected the "word-sync" output of MSB DAC to the clock input of Sotm SNH-10G? If so did you use 50ohm or 75ohm BNC cable? How does it sound with the clock synch?

Any experiences/suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[Superdad]

Has anyone connected the "word-sync" output of MSB DAC to the clock input of Sotm SNH-10G?

Sorry but that will not work. The “Word-Sync“ clock output of MSB’s S/PDIF interface is an audio-sample-rate rela frequency. The external clock input of the SOtM switch accepts only a 10.0MHz reference clock.

 

[lighthouse]

Sorry but that will not work. The “Word-Sync“ clock output of MSB’s S/PDIF interface is an audio-sample-rate rela frequency. The external clock input of the SOtM switch accepts only a 10.0MHz reference clock.

Thank you for the clarification!