Ethernet cables

@soix Hi, I have several of the WW Starlight and Platinum Cat 8 ethernet cables and I can honestly say after living with them for about six months they both are excellent.

The Starlight gives a more musical rounded presentation, whilst the Platinum is sharper, more focused and detailed. The Platinum would better be reserved for more revealing systems. The Starlight is truly excellent value and high-end.

The other contenders are AQ Vodka and Diamond but I preferred WW for ethernet while AQ have excellent cables in other departments.

Furutech NCF ethernet is very good for video or for using before an optical isolator, due to it's reasonable price.

The description of this cable suggest that it is good at isolating from external noise (EMF), but some of the supposed best claim that they passively filter noise already mixed with signal.  Perhaps someone would like to explain the different forms of passive filtering with digital cables?

I went from various config of generic cables to Supra, then AQ Cinnamon, Starlight, finally stopped at AQ Vodka. Suppose I hear differences rather like LordMelton in that higher end cables could be sensed as more sharp, focused, I hear it as more insightful. I also placed my cable modem close to system so I could use the Vodka from modem on, don't see the sense of using lesser cable in front of top flight, the entire chain needs top flight to hear full potential of ethernet cable.

I have been very happy with Supra cable which sounds better than the freebie or cheapie Amazon cables but doesn't break the bank either.

Blue Jeans cat 8.

Have not tried many Ethernet cables.

Was considering Sablon and Mad Scientist but I needed more flexible cables.

Ended up with Supra from modem, and Triode Wire Labs ‘Freedom’ from outlet to switch, and then to streamer. The Freedom is neutral and very quiet. I love it.

Thanks guys!  Mucho helpful. 

With Ethernet the most influential for sure is at the end point or where the Ethernet hub Isand the hub very important also forthe money the Uptone audio ether regen 

is a great buy , I use the AQ diamond ad a end point cable ,and the very nice a bit Warner Final Touch Audio ,which BTW make excellent usb cables like their Callisto 

and top Sinope .  Digital is very picky ,I had a Wireworld starlight which is excellent for $200 but not even close to the others above yes the AQ diamind is $1k retail 

but refines the signal.

I’m using Cat 8 cords I found on Amazon and they seem to be everything I need. I actually bought 4 of them!

Cat 8 Ethernet Cable, 2 Pack 6ft RJ45 Connector with Gold Plated F/FTP Patch Cord, Gigabit Internet Network Cord, High Speed LAN Cable 40Gbps 2000Mhz for Router, Modem, Gaming, Xbox, POE, PS3, PS4 https://a.co/d/2llQ7b6

@soix Video Possibly of interest: this isn't the cable but the switch: 

I use Belden ethernet cable cleaned up via an optical system. I can't imagine a more expensive ethernet cable being better since it comes out cleaned after the optical wash.

All ethernet cables, as long as they are within the correct specs will work with no difference.

Even with lots of noise present, error correction protocols will take care of the situation (read  convolutional codes, Viterbi decoding).

As for jitter etc, those do not matter since Ethernet is an ASYNCHRONOUS bit stream.  The router/bridge assembles the packets properly before forwarding it.

Remember this stuff works at up 10s of gigabits correctly.  At audio frequencies, the medium utilization will be no more than 3-5%.

I also use Amazon CAT 8 in front of and after my optical set up.  The optical made a significant improvement.  I have tried a couple AQ cables (with the optical) and they made no improvement so they were returned and I use the amazon cables. Money spent on an AQ USB cable instead.  Might be different if I didn’t have optical?

(please those who think it’s just 1s and 0s please stay out of this)

Heaven forbid anyone try to interject some science into a thread. 

Don’t you know that depends on cables , some 0s are rounder then others ?

Lots of people here are not for science, but for validation of their feelings...

@mrskeptic ​​​​@kgbspy 

Careful, since you also do not seem to believe in magic, you may be excommunicated from the thread too :-)

As a designer and manufacturer of Ethernet Streaming cables, we try different conductor materials and thicknesses, different construction techniques, different outer sheaths and inner insulators, different connectors, and we do this all the time striving for the ‘end game’. Every different cable we make sounds different, the integrity of 1’s and 0’s is not in question.

My repost from CAM:

“…. REVIEW:What causes audible differences in network cables

https://alpha-audio.net/review/wat-zorg ... erkkabels/

Intro

We round off our little investigation into network cables with a listening test and a clear conclusion. As promised we subjected the network plugs to a listening test and listened to three different configurations: shielding fixed on one side, shielding fixed on two sides and double shielded (and both sides connected). Do we hear differences? Well…. yes…!

Let’s clear up one myth: there is NO audible difference in network plugs. There is a difference in build quality, price and ease of installation. In short: it does make sense to invest in a good plug.

But let’s continue with the sound reproduction: as you know, we have installed everything from standard plugs to expensive Telegärtners. We tried all cables on the same switch (with an IFI power supply) and listened to the same system:
We did not notice any difference between the connectors. Sometimes we thought we heard something (think of a louder or sharper S-sound), but when we went back to the other connector, there was no difference. It is sometimes very complex to listen to this properly and to judge it honestly. But after hours of switching back and forth, we dare say that there is no difference in reproduction. In any case, we do not dare to take a bet in a blind test…

But where we do hear immediate differences – and continue to hear differences even when going back and forth – is the method of shielding.

We made three cables for this purpose: one cable with DeLock plugs and shielding fixed at one end. One cable with Delock plugs with the shielding fixed at both ends and finally the double shielded version with the nice sleeve. Also with the shielding on both sides (and Delock plugs).

What we observe almost immediately is that the version with the shielding fixed on both sides focuses better. The version with shielding on one side seems to play a bit larger, but that is not true: the effects in the song Perfect Life by Steven wilson are placed at the same spot in the room, but are more tightly framed with the cable where the shielding is fixed on both sides.

With voices, the same is true: it’s tighter in focus and also more stable between the speakers (if we move our heads back and forth, the voice stays in place better very odd).

Going to the double shielding we make another step. Again a bit more tightly focused, again a bit better framed. And with that a bit more calmness in the reproduction allowing details to surface a bit easier.

Clearly, For  us it is clear where the differences come from: shielding, shielding, shielding.

And that is quite logical if you consider that a network cable is included in a digital chain. A chain that relies on clean energy to keep everything clocked tight. A chain that works with noise-levels of -140dB. A chain where small deviations are immediately audible in staging, focus and smoothness.

This also explains why fiber networks work so well as a first upgrade: you immediately shut out a lot of misery by creating a barrier through which electrical energy cannot pass. And thus no electrical noise (common mode in particular).

To conclude…

Can you hear differences between network cables? Yes… definitely. Our samples have shown that. And about the real cables you can buy at the store… pay particular attention to what the manufacturer has done in terms of shielding. We would still leave the unshielded versions. Especially after this experience. But anyway: try it yourself at home!….”

Clearly, For  us it is clear where the differences come from: shielding, shielding, shielding.

+1. Agreed. I use Supra CAT 8.1  as short endpoint cables between my FMC's  + a double shield around the cable configured in a JSSG 360 loop does the trick. Some Techflex around it, and done. Ethernet 'radiation' is hampering the rest of your system. Also, (possible) leakage currents between the components can be a reason ethernet cables 'sounds' different. (despite ethernet is transformer coupled). That is why (galvanic/medical) ethernet filters work. Your system is performing better, as a whole, due to better shielding and breaking of detrimental currents between components.

I would have never thought that they’d make a difference but yes they do! I use Wireworld starlight 8 s at the connection to my node and from my NAS to the network connection and love them. Highly recommended.

@vonhelmholtz As an experiment, I bought a pair of DX Engineering inline RFI/EMI filters.  I was instructed to place one on each end of the Blue Jeans Cat 6 line.  $50 for the pair.

I noticed an immediate openness and clarity..  It was actually eye opening.  They have been in there for a couple months.  I have no intention of removing them.  I also have no intention of trying several CAT cables because it requires fishing it through a suspended ceiling. The NA ENO and Etherregen are two other inline filters but cost much more.  I am not sure of the design but the ENO seems to be very popular.  There are many network switches out there also.  Some are based on the Bonn.  Open box pictures show others using this $300 switch and charging more.  The other brands might be upgraded versions of the Bonn, I don't know.  I have seen network switches priced anywhere from $70-$2500. 

It's just like all things audio.  If I'm happy with the sound, I don't need someone explaining all the theory and telling me I am wrong.  I look for cost effective and affordable improvement  There was another thread about this same subject in October.  It devolved into a name calling, post deleting mess. 

My experience tells me that streaming starts out as a good source of millions of songs, then there are several things that can be done to make it better. Lowering the noise floor is a big one.  You can move up the cost ladder with streamers but there are several low cost things you can do. 

@vonhelmholtz 

+1 on DXE. Also recommended: EMO EN-70HD galvanic isolator. Keep any connection after the last filter/Isolator to the DAC as short and high quality as possible. The final feet after clean-up have a large influence on outcomes

@soix you said you bought the WW Starlight 8 ethernet cable already, correct? What improvements did you hear over the generic cable?
Or is it still sealed and you are contemplating swapping it to a higher end cable?

@audphile1 Good question.  Unfortunately in the place I’m staying now I’m unable to use my extender so the cable, sadly, still sits in the box.  This will change soon, and when it does I fully plan on comparing the WW cable to a generic cable and maybe even CAT 7 or 8.  I’ll certainly report back with what I hear — and with no measurements.  Heh heh. 

@soix sounds good. 

Anyone heard the newer Melco C100 ethernet cables? Supposed to be new technolgy to reduce noise and reasonably priced. Currently I have the DH Labs Reunion which are pretty good but down the rabbit hole I go!

Greg Theis

Blue Jeans cat 6A, you will be sure it's preforming to spec.

Thanks Allan

 I've heard alot of positive comments about these cables.

Hey all, I’m going to be demoing a new DAC soon and wanted to get a ‘good or ‘ok’ ethernet cable 100 to 150 feet,

to temporarily run from system down the stairs to the basement/router, for the 30day trial. 
I will have an electrician do an in-wall run later on, with maybe better quality…but I know nothing here. 
 

Is there something I should get for this? System is rather transparent but I’d rather not spend to much for the temporary run but I also don’t want it munching up the trial to much. 
 

jay is a big cable guy. going as far as buying $77k magnum opus. Hes tried limitless amount of cables and the only thing he cant hear any difference on is ethernet cable

It's possible that his setup is so excellent that any distortion upstream is resolved by the time it hits the speakers though

@jriggy This one has been recommended here and can be had up to 98 ft.  Hope this helps, and best of luck.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087C8K4N5/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=A1EA54VWB150Z7&amp=undefined&th=1

@jriggy why not get mesh network and put one of the access points close to your system. You can then use short Ethernet cable of better quality than you would have with your 100ft run. 

why not get mesh network and put one of the access points close to your system. You can then use short Ethernet cable of better quality than you would have with your 100ft run. 
 

@audphile1 Big +1, and then you don’t have to go to the expense of having an electrician run a wire unless you really want to.

@audphile1 ​​@soix 

+1

My systems use a wall wart range extender plugged in next to my systems. I know many $100K+ systems running this way. A good streamer / short Ethernet cable and you have a fantastic sounding system.

I suggest the Blue Jeans Cat 5e (Belden 1700A) patch cable - https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/data-cables/index.htm. Proven performance as every cable is tested before it ships to make sure it's within spec (you're given the test printout in the package).

If you want to future-proof your in-wall run, I would go with the Blue Jeans Horizontal 6A cable.

 

yage

383 posts

01-24-2024 at 09:23am 

..,

If you want to future-proof your in-wall run, I would go with the Blue Jeans Horizontal 6A cable.

Interesting. Running an obsolete cable is future proofing your in wall network run. Who would’ve thought….

@audphile1

How is Cat 6A obsolete?

Seeing as how streamers that cost thousands of dollars already use obsolete processors and gigabit Ethernet, I think most audiophiles will be ok.

1. Cat8 is the current version. Copper Ethernet for home use is unlikely the future

2. Running cables in walls is nearly a thing of the past with the introduction of mesh network. 

1. Yes Cat8 is the highest rated cabling but guess what - Gigabit Ethernet has been around for a long time (~1998) and only in 2027 is it projected to overtake 100 Mbps. See https://www.lightwaveonline.com/home/article/14302651/gigabit-ethernet-service-adoption-continues-to-rise. It will be a long time before 10G interfaces become the norm in home networks.

2. I agree that Wi-Fi is excellent, but there are some audiophiles who insist on wired connections nonetheless. (I use a mesh Wi-Fi setup myself.) However, my Wi-Fi 6 mesh node negotiates a ~2.9 Gbps link with the base station for the dedicated wireless backhaul. This is about 30% of the theoretical maximum. I bet Wi-Fi 7 setups will struggle to reach speeds beyond 10 Gbps. Most likely copper will still be the way to go if you want maximum throughput at reasonable cost.

@yage I get around 250-300 min speed with EERO. That’s more than enough to stream music or movies.
Positioning the access point about 1-1.5m away front the streamer gives me the flexibility to experiment with high quality Ethernet cables. 
Running copper thru the wall doesn’t. Unless I add a switch and I prefer not to.