High End Ethernet Cables ....Real Deal or Snake Oil


Digital streaming and network-based storage systems are now mainstream. I have notice more and more cable companies are coming out with 'fancy' Ethernet cables ranging from $25-$2500. 

Purist Audio, Cardas, Chord, Wireworld and Stealth Audio to name a few.  I am assuming, AudioQuest is probably the first manufacturer to recognized the potential for a fancy Ethernet cable and started this trend (sorry no offense to anyone). 

Let's for a moment assume that there is a audible difference in sound quality when streaming music files from a NAS or intranet to a server. Ethernet is an error corrected transmission protocol, it is going to be bit perfect. Are these fancy cables banking on the same principles of other digital (SPDIF/XLR) cables ~ a well made cable reduces the margin of errors resulting in less requests for re-sends, and if there are less errors and subsequent re-sends, perhaps this higher performance results in less noise, fewer dropouts at the receiving end, and subsequently better sound quality?

I do not know a lot about networking so I chose an easier path to stream music in my rig. My setup involves a music server, DAC and Apple Extreme base. 

I am wondering how many of you using a high end Ethernet cable vs. a generic Ethernet cable. 

Is there a test data or device that tells us how many errors and re-sends happen in Ethernet data transmissions to justify the use of uber 'pricey' ethernet cables? 

Thank you all for your feedback! 
128x128lalitk

Showing 3 responses by lalitk

Thank you all for your feedback. I am going to try couple of cables for A/B blind test. 

Al, appreciate your detailed response and for sharing Bryon's thread. Very informative, learned a great deal.  


@rbstehno,  I am using a pair of Apple AirPort Extreme base stations. Since my AT@T router is 60 feet away from streamer, this setup allows me to create a wired 'dedicated' intranet for streaming.  

The ethernet cable upgrade will be between Apple routers which are located 3 feet away from my server and AT&T router. And these routers are plugged into Audience line conditioners. 

It appears my thread from 2017 has been resurrected :-) 

The thread was started at the outset of boutique Ethernet cable with high resolution streaming gaining popularity. Fast forward to almost end of 2020, lot has changed. I have gone from being skeptic to a believer.  After trying half a dozen Ethernet cable, I have long settled on JCAT Signature Ethernet cable. They do make a audible improvements to the sound and IMHO, worth their asking price.