I try not to think about it. Typing this isn't helping.
lol -- to worry about such issues is indeed indicative of our having first world problems in this forum !!!
Ethernet cables
Hello everybody!
I would like to have your opinions about Ethernet cables. I recently saw some silly expensive Ethernet cables! Do you think it is worth spending a huge amount for a cable which transfers data? Your thoughts please!
Thank you!
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I have seen videos of Cardas assembling their cables. They do not draw the wire themselves. They say the wire is drawn in the Northeast from copper mined in the Southwest. Perhaps the diagonal (ie from Southwest to Northeast) has something to do with the sound. :) Good luck finding a video of audio wire being made (drawn). Everyone holds their cards close to their vest when it comes to turning copper/silver/gold into wire for audio. Cold welding or crimping is the preferred method for attaching terminals to audio cables. I can believe that. Heat based welding could affect the grain structure and temper of the copper wire. Soldering not so much but that is an expensive process compared to crimping. I have experience with crimping from my automotive days. Due to some issues I learned more about crimping wires than I ever cared to learn. The most important fact is that the crimping process must be very well controlled and closely monitored. Insufficient crimping leads to oxidation and failure while too much crimping can crack the housing of the terminal leading to even faster oxidation and failure. That means periodic audits of crimp joints- sectioning and viewing under magnification is required. Something that I have not seen mentioned by any cable makers in their videos. In fact I have only seen cable makers using hand crimp tools which have more variation than automation. The less you flex your cables, the longer they will last. Stress on the crimp joints can loosen the wires over time. Proper crimp joints can last hundreds of thousands of cycles. Less than proper- well, we saw degradation fairly quickly. The only way to tell if a crimp joint is good is to section it. I try not to think about it. Typing this isn't helping. |
I researched a fair amount before I upgraded my ethernet cables. Found a few who suggested unshielded Cat6 as the final cable to your streamer. I have 10m of Blue Jeans Horizontal in-wall Cat6a from my router to my wall outlet (to be installed this month). Settled on Triode Wire Labs ’Freedom’ ethernet cables from wall outlet to switch, and then switch to streamer. The TWL Freedom is unshielded Cat 6, copper cable with Telegärtner RJ45 plugs. |
Any thoughts on shielded versus unshielded for Ethernet? I went 'inexpensive' and bought all BlueJeans ethernet cables a few months back, then watched something on YouTube from a face that said Ethernet cables have to have a good screen and it should be connected both ends.....BlueJeans are not shielded and they recommend against it. RooZe |
There's literally an ocean of different ethernet cables out there, at various price points. And, if you ask what peoples opinions and preferences are in ethernet cables on a forum like this, you're subject to get a thousand different answers. However, at the end of the day, trail and error in your own audio system is the only way to know for certain what sound best in your own audio system. I have found that soliciting ideas recommendations from others can be quite useful and fun. However, at the end of the day (as you probably already know), trail and error is the only way. Happy listening. |
lalitk "cable manufacturers don’t required to include measurements to sell cables and it will still perform as intended. " Yes they are required to present measurement data. If you buy a data cable on amazon or a pair speaker cables from some major brand like Cardas Kimber (they'r not manufacturers) typically you won't get the data sheet. But when Cardas buys their audio cables (bulk) from cable manufacturers like National Wire/Cable, one of few good American factories, or buy data cables from Sinotek China their cables must come with data sheets that include Construction Details (conductor/insulation/shield/outer jacket), Electrical Characteristics (impedance/ capacitance/propagation velocity/max. current/voltage rating/temp range, etc.. I agree that the analogy wasn't a good one. Yes cables do make a difference I don't deny that... but don't have to be stupidly expensive to be an excellent one. oh and what about that snake oil lamp sitting on the cable practically doing nothing. |
I am still laughing about cars without wheels analogy as it would hamper the functionality of any 🚘 whereas cable manufacturers don’t required to include measurements to sell cables and it will still perform as intended. Some manufacturers do include measurements data and specs but most don’t. Yet, we hear audible differences among cable brands regardless of asking price. IME, a better built cables unfolds more information that a generic cable simply can’t….don’t take my word for it, if you have the resources and decent system, try it and report back! |
ghasley Yes for analog interconnect/speaker cables but minor. No (provided that cables are well made) for data cables and power cables. soix A Sinotec data cable can get to you via different routes - comes with device you buy, you can buy one on amazon, or pay crazy amount of money for one that dipped in snake oil. they'll show same performance measurement, good enough that your DAC will be able to recognize 1s and 0s correctly. They can't sell cables if they don't have the data. It's like selling cars without wheels. There's no factory in the USA manufacturing consumer data cables so they all come from Shenzen China. I'm not an industry expert though.
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I’d always thought rejecting noise was a key aspect of better Ethernet cables among other things, but as I was looking into capacitance in speaker cables came across this that maintains it’s also a critical factor in digital data transmission. I had no idea and have never seen this discussed before, and I’m thinking this may be yet another reason why pricier Ethernet cables with better design/materials sound better than the cheapies… Effect of Capacitance on Signal Transmission When the voltage applied to conductors changes, the electric field between them charges or discharges in response. However, this does not occur instantaneously, which leads to a delay in voltage change, as well. The higher the capacitance, the slower the voltage change. For signals such as power or simple input/output circuits, the impact is usually negligible. More complex signals, like those transmitted in data networks and building automation communication circuits, can suffer considerably. Excessive capacitance for high-speed data transmission can cause successive bits to bleed into one another and render the signal unrecognizable to the receiver. When this occurs, system malfunction ensues, and inevitably network users and building occupants notice – and loudly voice – their displeasure. An unreliable system using inadequate cable can quickly lead to expensive rewires and damaged dealer reputations. Designing Cabling for Low Capacitance Typically, low cable capacitance is considered 15 pF/ft. or less. The total amount of capacitance on an installed cable depends on a variety of factors including cable length, insulation thickness, insulation material, and the presence of shielding. Engineers design data cables with these factors in mind to minimize capacitance and promote clear and undistorted signal transmission. |
@jjss49 thanks for this post, I almost spit out my triple latte grand machiato whipped double shot of Kenyan and Ethiopean coffee. |
@classicrockfan Do you believe there are audible differences, either good or bad, in analog cables? |
soix I'm being truthful and, as an electrical engineer, i know a thing or two about cable/wire electronics and that's how i contribute to this thread. "It’s really sad and pathetic." so you resort to name calling. I will give you an example. A USB cable ABC manufactured by this massive cable factory Sinotek in Shenzen, China. Look it up you will get good ideas about cable manufacturing. 1. You can buy this ABC for $10 on Amazon. 2. Or you come up with an idea so you decorate the cable (with fancy jacket logo printed heat shrink tubing, etc.) oh and dip it in snake oil and sell the same cable for $1000... make sure you (or someone you hired) write a post(s) claiming " it makes a startlingly significant improvement!". Why not? what's wrong with making money. On the other hand you can be a sad person to buy one for 1k when you get to live on a small income. Later
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I can be specific on what exactly the silver plated wire ethernet cables did for my system with my previous NUC based music server. The clarity of the music improved. The highs smoothed out- less of that glare. The first time I plugged in one of the better cables the highs sounded worse. I let it break in for a day but it still sounded worse than a cheap cable. Then I thought to turn the cable around and the sound changed for the better- much better. It made streaming sound closer to my CD Transport going into my DAC. I have since moved up to a better DAC which then caused me to have to upgrade my music server as well. My theory is that this DAC and music server, because they both have isolation and re-clocking, they should be less dependent on the digital cables (Ethernet and USB) for good sound. Only right now my system sounds too good to tamper with it. I’m just not motivated to do any additional experimenting. You know, if it is not broken, don’t fix it. Sometime I will, out of curiosity, put some cheap cables in my system to see how this DAC and music server perform. |
@classicrockfan Suffice it to say you’re in the distinct minority on this site as most here have heard differences in varying degrees in every type of cable. You joined only a few months ago and from what I can tell all you’ve done in that time is throw flames and spout conspiracy theories like the one above, and you provide no value or useful insights/info whatsoever. In short, you appear to be here for no other reason than to be a troll and spoil otherwise helpful and informative threads. Why? What kind of weird satisfaction are you getting out of this? It’s really sad and pathetic. |
Thank you for those explanations. I cannot argue them as I’ve not seen the studies or data that supports the conclusion. I guess where I would still hold some skepticism is in whether or not those signal anomalies caused by interference or whatever are actually altering the timing or the data itself being sent across the cable. I suppose it’s possible to test this by sending a digital audio track across some Ethernet cables and then do a bit by bit comparison of the source and the copy. If they are exactly the same then there should be no impact on the audio, yes? I’m not arguing for the use of cheap cables BTW, just that the claims made by many of these boutique cable makers, and the often absurd prices they charge for them, don’t hold up to scrutiny when A-B blind testing is done. Poorly constructed or damaged cables notwithstanding. |
" I can’t cite a single source that would explain it all." of course i already knew it. I know the IEEE very well our team has submitted our research manuscripts to them a few times. I can’t really find "digital signal waves are analog". So could you be more specific about the IEEE specs for data transmission in regards to "it's analog"? I will contact the IEEE tomorrow for details. Don’t waste money (if you’re not elon musk). Just buy on amazon for less than $10. You won’t find any audible difference at all. Those cable sellers buy them on amazon/ebay just like us and decorate them with fancy jacket or some other snake oil
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This is a summary of about 3 years of study on the subject and experimentation on my part to confirm or dispel others’ claims. I can’t cite a single source that would explain it all. Much of the information is scattered about. I’ve not had technical courses or been tested on this subject matter so I am open to corrections and clarifications. But you will find references to digital signal transmission having an analog component. I think a lot of the information is held closely as trade secrets and to hold a competitive advantage. The IEEE specs for data transmission has protocols and standards that the industry follows, but beyond that it is up to engineers and designers to finds ways to beat out everyone else. In time more information will find its way into classrooms. When it comes to cables- Caveat Emptor. Yes, a lot of hocum in the world of cables. I stick to the more established brands with a pedigree. They often cost more but they also resell better. If you research wire, only a handful of wire makers exist in the USA with the experience and know- how to draw wire for the best sound in audio. The drawing process is crucial. Finding out who the companies are would be a real feat. The cable makers hold their cards close to their chest. Beyond that, materials, weave types and assembly processes play a crucial role as well to the sound of cables. Look for companies with the technical resources to develop cables. Not just put something together that looks pretty. They need to have a lab with the proper test equipment. Another thing is to take note of what cables vendors use at audio shows like Axpona. Not the rooms specifically selling a brand of cable but the rooms that are showing off their speakers, amps or sources. I actually saw a lot of rooms using the same few brands. As for Ethernet and USB cables, 4 years ago I did not believe they could impact the sound at all. Digital has come a long way. CD players up to the early 90s couldn’t hold a candle to vinyl’s low level detail and the ability to create a 3D soundstage. Now my digital rig is as good as my best vinyl. That is is all done digitally- creating lifelike images in space like analog totally amazes me. But just like with vinyl, everything matters. |
Network audio relies on error free bulk data transfer. When the musical data is transferred from the source to the destination the data is broken up into thousands of small data packet/frames. Each chunk of data has an associated checksum. If timing or phase errors occur causing one or more bits to be received incorrectly the checksum will fail, the packet will be discarded and eventually re-transmitted. Once a packet/frame is received at the destination it will be copied and moved around in system memory multiple times. The data will eventually be reassembled in system memory and then the process of generating an analog signal will begin. Some one on the internet ran an experiment where he/she wrapped an electrical cable around an Ethernet cable and measured a small 60 Hz signal coming out the DAC. When the electrical cable was removed the 60 Hz signal disappeared. Maybe some one here can reproduce that experiment. |
wesheadley Well Put! Just one problem though. They (cable sellers) are not cable manufacturers. Just like us they buy digital/data cables on amazon/ebay under $10/pc and add jacket (and heat shrink tubing) in someone’s garage or warehouse and sell them for hundreds of dollars. tonywinga We know digital/data signals are stepping/square waves in the form of discrete values, but you call those signals ANALOG? Furthermore... "the square wave’s weakness is distortion causing timing and phase shifts. And EMI or RFI can get in the line and ride all the way into your DAC" I actually want to learn more about it. Can you give us reference links or citations or some other source of the information? Thank you. |
They are transmitting digital data not analog signals- False If you tap into your ethernet cable do you see 0's and 1's? You do not. You see a square wave ranging from 5-80 MHz. A square wave is.....wait for it.... ANALOG. It is a wave. It is shaped different than a sine wave but it is a wave. It is analog. Now since the square wave is interpreted at the receiving end as 1's and 0's it is not as susceptible to analog noise- ie. static and hiss, but the square wave's weakness is distortion causing timing and phase shifts. And EMI or RFI can get in the line and ride all the way into your DAC, and that will affect the performance of a D/A convertor. No one will be able to tell the difference- False. Better cables do a better job at interference noise rejection. That is quite noticeable to the performance of D/A convertors, especially since lower cost DACs and music servers have little to no noise rejection on their inputs. The higher end, more expensive DACs and Music servers have better noise rejection, isolation of the incoming signal and more often now, re-clocking. At least they should. |
Well made and well-shielded, not-junk ethernet cables are essential for carrying any data from point A to B. They need to meet modern standards too, as Ethernet speeds are not the same today as they were years ago. However, the stupid expensive ones are just that-- stupid. They are transmitting digital data not analog signals and will not sound better despite of all of the wild claims made by manufacturers. No one will be able to tell the difference in any true blind A-B comparison. So yes, a well-made cable should deliver data packets with fewer errors, which get corrected upon delivery BTW, but to equate the price of ethernet cables with sound quality is just more audiophile nonsense. |
Im of the belief that everything that you do in your system has the potential for making a difference. Whether that difference can be heard or not depends on the resolution of your system. Whether that difference can be heard and is worth the additional money is another story. Every little improvement also adds up usually. So adding a few extremely minor improvements can add up to a cumulative positive effect. I use a 50ft run Supra CAT 8 Ethernet cable from my music server direct to my MSB DAC. Was it a major leap forward over my CAT 5e cable? Nope. A very minor but audible improvement. But I also have a Tripp-lite isolation transformer, two Puron Power filters, and a GigaFoil v4 in the system. Each made a difference, but cumulatively, It was a big improvement, say 15-20%. FYI, off-topic, but I found the Purons (my last tweak added) to make a startlingly significant improvement! |
The tendency is to compare digital signal transmission to a telegraph. After all, the dot-dash DC circuit of the telegraph is similar to the 0-1 of digital. And like the DC circuit of a telegraph the voltage of a digital signal is either 0 or 5 Volts. We tend to imagine an analog wave form as something like a +/- sine wave or combination of sine waves overlapping. Digital signals are waves too. They do not cross zero but they have a bias of 2.5 Volts. ie. over time the average voltage of a square wave of a digital signal will be something around 2.5 Volts. That means the digital square wave "zero crossing" is at 2.5 Volts. Given that these square waves are propagating at 5 MHz and higher, they share many properties of analog waveforms. They can experience phase shift due to capacitance or inductance and they can pick up distortion although their tolerance for distortion is much higher than analog. On the other hand, digital signals for streaming are less tolerant to phase shift or timing. Ethernet and USB cables have an impact on the sound of streaming music that many claim is impossible. Meanwhile, audio hobbyists may not fully understand why or how but find ways to improve and move forward the state of the art. Maybe I'm talking out of my hat here but much of what we experience with streaming hifi manifests itself more as a wave than not. |
I am far from a digital or IT specialist but you lost me on this one. It is my understanding analog signals are continuous electrical signals while ethernet cables carry non-continuous electrical pulses to transmit digital data. Isn't that inherently two different things? |
I found the wire in the ethernet cables matter. Bits are bits but the high frequency internet data transmission rates behave like an analog wave. The Signal to Noise ratio of digital is superior to analog but it is still not impervious to noise. My theory is that the 5-80 MHz ethernet signal is affected by the skin effect of wire. Therefore, silver plated ethernet wires might be sufficient for improved sound vs. full silver wire. The required thickness of silver plating for the skin effect can be calculated based on the frequency of the ethernet signal. My theory could be all wet but it seems to work in practice. Pangea ethernet cables are relatively inexpensive- about 8 times the cost of a basic budget cable. For the money however, you get silver plated cardas wire and good, robust connectors. I found them effective at improving the sound with my NUC based music server, but as I said, they are not marked but are directional. Another good experiment that was discussed in these forums a few years back is to have someone disconnect the ethernet cable from your music server while listening to the music. Since the music is delivered in packets and buffered, it will continue to play for several seconds. Many of us noted an improvement in the sound for those few seconds of disconnected playing. Interesting, especially since that last packet of music was already downloaded. That implies the ethernet cables are carrying in noise that affects the server and DAC. It would seem that my NUC based music server that I had at the time had no isolation. So I added a fiber optic link to my ethernet to disconnect my music server galvanically- or electrically. The sound improved. Next I tried the Pangea silver plated ethernet cables and found more improvement. And finally I did the big step and bought an audio grade network switch. I didn’t expect much but found it a good step up in sound. I also found it performed better without the fiber optic link. To summarize: The ethernet behaves like an analog wave. It’s not analog but the high frequencies have characteristics that mimic analog. Streaming music files behave differently than downloaded music files. Line noise/EMI is a factor in streaming music. Silver conductors seem to work better with high frequencies- i.e. above the audible range. Maybe. The better servers, streamers and DACs are moving towards isolation and reclocking. My new DAC and Music server/streamer have double isolation and reclocking. They sound fantastic but the downside is that I cannot turn them off. Otherwise it takes a couple of days for the clocks to stabilize for optimum sound. Hard for me to reconcile since I grew up in the midwest with a Dad who didn’t allow lights to be left on in a room unattended. And another thing, it took me about 20 years to stop eating all of the food on my plate. So maybe in a few years I'll get over having to leave half of my stereo on all the time. |
@tonywinga Just some humour not mocking. I learn plenty of info on these threads, the cable discussions are “interesting”. As another poster above states audio streaming files have gone through umpteen connection points on Internet and arrive as intended. Pretty sure Tidal etc. does not instant that their Data Centres use Cardas interconnects but that last couple feet in the living room. As far as what people think they hear, go for it. |
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True for “copper” Ethernet cables, false for fiber optic. There are streamers made today that accept this type of connection and with it you completely eliminate noise.
Nice view of earth from space! |
Ethernet is, in fact, zeros and ones. What's important are that the end connections are tight. I don't know that the cable itself is super important as long as it's capable of not breaking down through twists and turns. When we talk about digital, think about a typed message. It doesn't matter much what kind of paper it's on, or what screen you read it on. As long as it's clear and legible, the message is the same. If, however, the connections are not secure, the components can retransmit the packets until the other end gets a good read. That retransmission takes time and can degrade performance, just like if the typed message is smudged or misspelled. Then you have to read it several times before you understand it. Ethernet is the same. Shielding can help reduce RMI interference. The wires themselves are twisted pairs to reduce interference. By the way, we don't talk much about the quality of the air when we talk about wireless or bluetooth. That's because, wi-fi and bluetooth are digital. Digital means that no matter how you get the message, it says the same thing. |
First, it’s important to point out that the OP asked for opinions, and that the ethernet cable believers do not have monopoly here. Many post in a civil manner and keep things respectful, but there are a a few that do not -- you know who you are -- and just so you know you don’t come off as credible by insulting other people or chasing them out. Now, on to the topic at hand: I’ve had many, many different ethernet cables. Probably hundreds, albeit none purchased with the idea of changing the sound in mind. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t notice a change if it occurred. I agree that really cheap cables should be avoided, because the ends are crappy and their ability to hold a good connection degrades terribly over time and the physical ends degrade. You may also want to stay away from Cat7 if you are concerned about any form of EMF (highly theoretical) traveling down because the shielded ends can defeat the otherwise inherent galvanic isolation of ethernet. So, buy well constructed cables within spec. Some "audiophile cables" are deliberately out of spec so beware. If you review the myriads of discussions out there on the point of ethernet cables for audio (not just here - Roon’s forum, AudiophileStyle, plenty others) you will notice that those with science, engineering, and networking credentials come vastly down on the side that there is no way that the composition of the ethernet cable will impact sound quality except by being faulty and causing dropouts. No deeper soundstage, no crisper highs. Ethernet is packet based with robust error correction that moves well faster than necessary to keep the streamer buffers full. There is no meaningful possibility of data errors affecting sound quality. Noise on the line is a separate issue, but the material composition of the cables won’t change that. Isolation does. Ethernet already provides that if you don’t deliberately defeat it. But if you’re really double concerned, you can eliminate that issue with fiber optic network cabling (requires an adapter at each end) which is quite a bit cheaper than many of the more exotic ethernet cables...plus with fiber you know you’ve nailed it first time and there’s no swapping out cables to see where the soundstage is better. That said I believe fiber to be completely unnecessary but in science and engineering it is at least an undeniably supported solution to this theoretical concern. Not here to argue. We do not need to start a debate. I just believe it is important to have balance in these discussions. Ethernet cable believers are eager to chime in and recruit...I just want people to think logically for themselves and understand the tech before they spend their $$$. |
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@lugsytl47 I call 🐂 💩 unless you conducted controlled blind testing, I don’t believe you. I suggest sending your fridge to Amir at ASR to see if his measurements confirm your confirmation bias induced findings. |
It's been fun and fascinating to hear how one cable can influence the sound of my system. I've owned a couple dozen or so ethernet cables (from $10-$1000) and they all sounded different to me. The Triode Wire Lab FREEDOM is the first cable that I thought sounded beautiful and RIGHT from the start. And, not expensive at all IMHO. |
it is never worth spending a 'huge' amount of money on any cable, lan cables included - relative to the rest of your system, your major components but it IS absolutely worth spending a decent/reasonable amount of money to make sure you have good quality cables, well constructed, using quality materials how much is reasonable? it depends on your ears your system your spending power.... |
Yes of course they matter and so many here with good systems can hear that. Easy to ignore those that can not hear it. But what really matters is the LAST ethernet cable going into your streamer. I use good but reasonably priced Link-Up 22 g cat 8 from Amazon for my long runs from computer room to music systems. Then I have a Network Acoustics Muon Pro filter between that and the streamer. One of the reasons this Muon works so well is the fixed high end ethernet cable coming out of it and going into the streamer. I use no cheap wall couplings and run the long wires through the wall directly to the Muon. It sounds better than without it. I also just upgraded the very stock 13" piece of ethernet cable INSIDE the Grimm MU1 with a Kubala Sosna Realization ethernet cable. Wow. So much smoother and fuller sounding. See, the cheap cable was AFTER the Muon Pro and again degrading the sound. You don't have to rewire the whole house (although i did with the Link-Up vs the old cheap wire), just put a meter or two of nice wire right before the streamer. Use a good coupler, like JCAT Net Isolator, not a cheap wall plate. Or, consider the Muon Filter as this helps in a couple of mysterious ways, one being the quality cable. |
Going down the digital path for several years now, I've made a number of changes from DAC's to music-server/streamers, and the cabling that goes along with them. There has been a lot of good information rendered in this topic. What I have found on my digital journey is that while cabling does make a noticeable difference, getting a good solid digital equipment foundation is more important, then honing it with the right support components like cables. The DAC changes I've made seem to have made the most noticeable difference in sound improvement. Then going to a better music-server/streamer and re-clocking the USB signal certainly improved the sound. Then I worked on improving the USB signal from the server to the DAC with different cables. The improvement in streaming in my system happened last not with a new streamer but with changes upstream in the digital signal. When I listened to the exact same song loaded onto my music-server/streamer, then streamed from QoBuz that same song through the same device, the streamed music left something to be desired. Adding in an Ethernet re-generator from the modem to the music-server/streamer brought the listening between the two sources much closer and difficult to discern. At that point, I felt that changing out the Ethernet cabling would be next., so I tried an Ethernet cable that was notably more expensive than my present rather inexpensive one and I noticed a slight improvement in micro-detail bringing the music experience to what I was hearing just from the loaded music on the music-server. At this point, I don't think I can improve the sound from either music loaded on the music-server or the streamed music unless I start changing out equipment in the digital path. (like a DAC or music-server/streamer) What this experimentation taught me was getting better USB and Ethernet clocking/lowering jitter, and noise reduction made the most difference and allowed me to then hone-in on other changes like cabling to squeeze out the remaining sonic improvement. In essence, get your digital components the best you can, then do your tweaking with cables... |
I do not believe in audible differences between 2 properly made Ethernet cables of Cat6 or better. What I do believe in is never using the absolute cheapest example either. So I settled on Belden cat 6e. Belden individually tests each cable to ensure it’s up to proper spec. I chose cat 6e over 7 or 8 because there’s some evidence that the extra shielding in 7-8 can potentially cause ground loop issues. And cat 6e avoids this and is WAY faster than your music is streaming. It’s my opinion you can’t do better for an Ethernet cable. And it’s about $30 shipped.
By all means spend $2000 on a data cable if you just like having cool, expensive cables. Nothing wrong with that if you can afford it. But I do not think your $2000 Ethernet cable is getting you any actual advantages. |
Ethernet cables are directional whether they are marked or not- at least the silver plated wire ones are. So if it sounds bad, try turning it around. I bought some silver plated wire Pangea ethernet cables about a year ago. They made my previous NUC based music server sound better. They were not marked but they were directional. It wasn't hard to tell the difference. The highs were edgy and grating one way and smooth the other way. I had the same thought at first- these silver plated wire cables sound worse than my basic cheap ethernet cables. Then I thought to reverse them and they sounded much better. I don't think it took much time to tell the difference. So I had to try out each cable both directions, and I marked them; but by the third one I could tell right away. Also, the cable closest to the server is most noticeable with the cable between modem and router the least noticeable. The Pangea are very reasonable offering silver plated Cardas wire. I later bought some AQ ethernet cables with thicker silver plating. It improved the sound but I'd say the improvement didn't match the increase in cost. I kept the AQ because cost is a secondary issue for me at this point. Hearing a difference in ethernet cables is system dependent. The better cables make the TV picture look better but I don't hear a difference with my HT system setup. With my stereo system the difference is night and day. I have found a handful of songs that have bad mic clipping with my stereo system. I can't play those songs on my stereo, it's too grating. Play the same songs on my HT system or in my car and I can't hear the clipping at all. The detail just isn't there. I can hear guitar strings rattle in some songs on my stereo that cannot be heard in the car or on the HT system. You just don't know it's there until you hear it in a more critical system. So, careful what you wish for. |
No, I don't think it's worth spending a huge amount. Out of curiosity, I purchased an ethernet cable that several members here touted on Amazon, easily returnable. That's when I found out ethernet cables can sound different. It made my system sound worse than the standard issue provided by my cable company, so back it went. I was not about to wait several hundred hours to let it "break in". I then tried DH Labs Reunion ethernet cable as it was also returnable. I think it sounded better. It definitely looked prettier, so I kept it. |
