ETHERNET CABLES


When using ethernet for hooking up streaming devices and dacs, what cat level of  ethernet cable should be used. Is there any sonic improvement by going to a  higher dollar cat 7 or 8 cable?

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Showing 2 responses by w123ale

Last couple weeks have a) made a fiber connection to my DAC (Weiss 501); and b) added a Shunyata Delta Ethernet cable to the mix. Using Roon.

Results:

Fiber connection bought off Amazon plus a IFI power supply instantaneously reduced digital glare and made the music more organic. Obvious difference. Investment: $200

Ethernet cable: Provides greater clarity and separation, but in a much more subtle way. Definitely diminishing returns department. Investment: $850 new (I got used for less).

Conclusion (for me): the front end feeding my digital system definitely makes a difference. Fiber is a no brainer; high end Ethernet may not be worth the price.

 

@lalitk running Roon on an old MacBook Pro that is dedicated to Roon (probably need a dedicated machine in future, but working fine now). Shunyata Ethernet goes from my fiber/Ethernet converter to my DAC