Ethernet opinions


Hello everyone, I finally got my system setup. I had a few setbacks the past few months. My mom had lung cancer and passed away a month ago. It has been a journey getting my system set up which is part of the fun. I am running Pass Labs XP-12, pass 250.8, and Bricasti M3. My original plan was to run the Bricasti with a EERO mesh network since the modem is on the opposite end of the listening space. Needless to say the EERO mesh would not work and Roon could not see my M3. I was on the phone with Bricasti trouble shooting the issue. I removed my M3 from the system and double checked everything with it hard wired to the modem which worked. I was told I could really use any Ethernet for the most part as long as it’s cat 5 or 6. Well, I returned the EERO and got a 25 foot Ethernet cable from Best Buy for 10 dollars. The sound is much better then I was guessing running a 10 dollar cable, for me it’s deff a temp fix. Especially since I bought two audio quest vodka cables. I am using one of them now connecting the room nucleus to the modem at the moment. I have read a bit about blue Jean cables which seem to hold spec. I don’t see me buying a longer Audio quest vodka cable given the cost. In some ways I feel like I spent more then I should have on the Vodka cables at this point. Opinions please ?

 

shtr74sims

Showing 1 response by williewonka

@shtr74sims - +1 for the @lalitk post - CAT8 cables are the best available out there right now.

Cat8 is a better overall cable geometry which results in higher throughput capabilities with fewer errors

One other thing to try -

  • put an Ethernet switch as close as possible to the streaming device, with a really short cat8 cables from the switch to the streamer
  • And if you want to go the extra mile,
    • get a battery pack for the switch,
    • or at lease a good 5V power supply

I’ve been told it improves the sound quality

Hope that helps - Steve