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Ethernet vs 5G Streamer Tech Considerations for Sound Quality

Most audiophile publications say to hard wire ethernet for streamers but it seems to me if you have excellent reliable 5G (> 100 mbps) you avoid all the potential noise added by running ethernet cable and avoid buying special cables, switches, optical rendu etc.  I have read many threads here but not much addressing this. Lots of experience here with digital streaming so wanted open for discussion.

 I am running a Cary DMS-700 via 5G and am extremely pleased with the sound quality. I can’t find wifi max rate on Cary unit but it is MU-MIMO 5Ghz capable and connected to my fios 5G band.
jmbumgarner01

Showing 3 responses by thyname

thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
Ethernet cable is copper. Electricity can travel through copper. Along with noise. Two kinds of noise: Leakage—both high-impedance and low-impedance, and clock phase-noise. Ethernet transmission itself does not prevent the “trespassing” of these “noises”. Nothing magic about it. 
Really though, you have to experiment for yourself. Whichever sounds best to you. Experimenting for you requires nothing to be purchased. Zero cost experimentation 
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
How exactly are you running 5G on your Cary DMS-700? Does it have wi-fi connection?

And if it does, you realize it’s basically an antenna that captures the signal, right? Any antenna, is an antenna, and subject to potential noise associated with off-air signal transmission 
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
Experiment #1: plug Ethernet cable. Listen

Experiment #2: unplug Ethernet cable, connect via WiFi. Listen

Then use whichever method of connection you like more going forward. 
If you hear no difference, use whichever is most convenient for you.

That is all you need. All that you can do yourself. Why search for technically documented justification in the Internets?
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