Ethernet cables


Long time audiophile here but, more of a rookie regarding streaming. My basic question is should I upgrade my ethernet cables and what price point would be reasonable for my application.

The streamer is in a secondary system and is used only for casual listening. The streamer is hardwired to the system. At this point I do not have a streamer in the main system.

Below is a list of the gear in system 2.

The streamer is a Node 2i with the power supply upgrade from LHY (a DIY kit) sourced from Beatechnik out of Singapore. Not using the internal DAC but, feeding the digital signal to an outboard DAC.

DAC - Luxman DA-06

Preamp -  Simaudio P5.3

Amp - McCormack DNA-500 (yes, way overkill power wise for the system but, I love the very relaxed sound of this amp)

Speakers - Dynaudio Contour 30i

Cables - Primarily Transparent Ultra mm2 generation.

Internet is from my cable provider via coax cable.

There are three short cat 6 ethernet cables (5'). One going from the modem to the router, one from the router to the wall connection for a 100 foot cat 7 run in the attic and one at the system end wall connection to the Node. The short cables are Amazon Basics cat 6. The 100 foot cat 7 was sourced from Amazon with one of those never heard of names - Snanshi which, seems to be fairly decent but, I wouldn't really know.

So, do I upgrade the Amazon Basics cables and if so, what would be a reasonable choice?

 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2xmwh777

I was intrigued by audphile1 suggestion regarding the Lan Silencer. The pictures on Amazon show it placed right behind your streaming component. I get that. 

The question is does it make any sense whatsoever to have two or more of these devices?

I'm not trying to waste money, just wondering. 

Thank you!

Digital don't care about your fancy (read: stupid expensive) cables. You can't improve or make worse 1's and 0's. Why do people believe such nonsense? Oh wait, it's like religion. You have to have faith because there's no science behind it.

I agree with @rcm1203. Replace all your Ethernet with cat8 cables from Amazon. They’re all triple shielded and will definitely improve things. And they’re good for 10G. I changed everything in my house to Phizli. Cost is only pennies more than your average cat6.

I have a 4 server 2 desktop plus Orbi 960 system running up to a full 10G across a Dell 8024F switch. Cleaned up all my streaming stuttering issues too (Sonos) .

Also don’t go with your isp routers. They’re useless and can provide you a decent firewall and high speed at the same time.

I’m possible way above most of what people are using in that I’ve got a 2.5Gb symmetrical fios feed from Ziply (I’m in Washington), use a SonicWall TZ470 for my router/firewall, and use various multi-mode (1/2.5/5/10) and single mode (1G) SFP+ GPICs as the switch is a 24-port SFP+ switch (I use Cisco, SonicWall, Finisar)

Except for audioman58's spew of absolute nonsense, I am so glad that no one on this thread has suggested $500+ snake oil Ethernet cables.  It gives me hope for this group! 

@lovehifi22 I have mine plugged into EERO access point. Then Purist Audio Cat7 from Silencer into Aurender N200. I’ll be honest I could barely hear any difference with and without the iFi unit in the chain. Tried it into the Aurender as well. I figured cleaning up the signal right at the EERO output made most sense to me. Keep in mind the results will vary based on how good the Ethernet implementation is in your streamer. Aurender happens to have a solid isolated implementation and I attribute the very negligible change to this. I never tried using two Silencers since the results with one were barely, if at all, audible. I left in because 1) it’s not expensive and 2) it did no harm. But again, pretty sure the results will vary in each installation. Try one first. You can return it if it doesn’t work.
I also second @lalitk on LinkUp cable recommendation. Excellent cable that’s solidly built and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I have this cable and can say it’s a bargain. Not as detailed and lively sounding as the Purist but also not as expensive.