Ethernet Cables, do they make a difference?

The BDP-1 doesn't have a toslink output...

I'm not sure if we're both on the same page about what we're discussing.

If one thinks noise is an issue, they can and should test for that. Whether they think the problem is noise getting inside the ethernet cable or the noise getting out of the ethernet cable.

I personally haven't found noise as discussed above, to be a problem in my setup with my Bryston BDP-1. I use an 18 feet AES cable so I can move the BDP-1 far away from my rack so no ethernet cable goes near the rest of the components. I don't notice a difference when the BDP-1 and the ethernet cable is in the rack or far away. In fact, I've tried piling 100 feet of Cat6 UTP on my DAC and interconnects, and noticed no difference in sound. I suppose my interconnects and gear is well shielded. It very well may make a difference in other people's setup.

Similarly, I can play music off a USB flash drive, and use the ethernet connection for only interface control. I don't notice a difference in sound by the plugging and unplugging of the ethernet cable. If there is noise present, the unplugging of the cable should make it better.

However, I do find a difference when streaming through Roon based on the length of the ethernet cable or the device/power supply used. Based on my experiments, I haven't been able to find conducted and radiated noise as an issue. Aside from shielded and grounded ethernet cables which are breaking the isolation, I suspect in a calm home environment, the differences in sound may be with how the signal is dealing with the PHY. Signal integrity could be at play here.

It's hard to conclude anything without measurements, but still there are tests that people can do at home to test out various hypothesis.

Hello @acepilot71,

I'm not sure what you are referring to specifically (what page/section) in that review?

I use Roon and connect my BDP-1 via ethernet which further feeds my DAC.

When I use the BDP-1's native MPD software and play music off a directly connected flash drive, it doesn't make any difference to the SQ whether an ethernet cable is plugged into the BDP-1 or not. It doesn't care what devices are used. In this setup, the ethernet is there only for controlling playback.

However, when using Roon with the same setup, suddenly all these subtle differences start appearing based on the device, power supply, or ethernet cable (length) used.

I'm not sure why this is the case .I have done a number of experiments to try and isolate variables and see if any patterns emerge. Some of the results make sense with the established knowledge, while other results go against what most audiophiles are doing and assuming as the culprit.

When it comes to any shielded cables with metal plugs and shield attached to the ground, you most likely will hear a difference. You are breaking the galvanic isolation. It can sound better initially. Things will sound smoother, less grainy, darker and more detailed. It's bringing in noise to the player.

You can do this test with a Cat6 S/STP or any Cat7 or Cat8 as they are similar and double shielded designs.

I did this for multiple pieces. Buy 3-4 versions of the same cable in the same exact length. The only thing you change is whether the ground is still attached to the shield or not. You can break and remove the metal plugs on the cables. That way you can the same cable with grounds attached on both ends, one end, or no end.

As for hearing differences between similar designs, please always pay attention to the length being used. IME the differences are more exaggerated at short lengths (less than 3m).

Some of these cables work, but don't pass or exceed the spec, like a Belden bonded would. That would be one thing to look at. Hook each cable to a Fluke DTX-1800 and see how it does.

If you have a good cable that measures well on a Fluke, then try multiple versions of it and just vary the length.

You never see that type of control with these reviews. Instead, it's bunch of cables at different lengths.

Provided the cables are well made, such as Belden bonded Cat6 UTP, I don't think they are making things worse/better themselves, but they are rather influencing the behaviour of the PHY (especially in most devices as they aren't using TOTL ethernet packages). So the problem might be with the PHY itself, and the cables are being used to fix/reduce the problem.

I've done similar testing with SPDIF and AES cables. Same wire, same connectors, only vary the length systematically. They all work, but sound slightly different from one another. I tend to prefer longer AES and SPDIF cables with my particular DAC/transport as well.

I think there should be more systematic control in these type of observations.

@vtech2000 

Hello Brad,

Do you individually measure each of your cables on a tester (e.g. Fluke) and include the results? Have you by any chance examined signal integrity and PHY power consumption with your cables?

Have you compared different lengths of your own cable, such as 0.5 meters vs. 2 meters? Did you find any differences? If so, which one was preferred?