2. cables
  3. 195218-198226

How can different CAT5/6 cables affect sound.

While is is beyond doubt that analog cables affect sound quality and SPDIF, TOSlink and AES/EBU can effect SQ, depending on the buffering and clocking of the DAC, I am at a loss to find an explanation for how different CAT5 cables can affect the sound.

The signals over cat5 are transmitted using the TCP protocol.  This protocol is error correcting, each packet contains a header with a checksum.  If the receiver gets the same checksum then it acknowledges the packet.  If no acknowledgement is received in the timeout interval the sender resends the packet.  Packets may be received out of order and the receiver must correctly sequence the packets.

Thus, unless the cable is hopeless (in which case nothing works) the receiver has an exact copy of the data sent from the sender, AND there is NO timing information associated with TCP. The receiver must then be dependent on its internal clock for timing. 

That is different with SPDIF, clocking data is included in the stream, that is why sources (e.g. high end Aurenders) have very accurate and low jitter OCXO clocks and can sound better then USB connections into DACs with less precise clocks.

Am I missing something as many people hear differences with different patch cords?

retiredaudioguy

Showing 2 responses by signaforce

signaforce's avatar
signaforce
340 posts
 

Do Ethernet cables matter per chatGPT: 

Short Answer: Yes — but only within reason.

Ethernet cables can make a difference in high-end audio systems, but not due to digital data loss — it’s about electrical noise.

📡 Why Digital Bits Still Matter (But Aren’t the Problem)

  • Ethernet uses packet-based transmission. If a packet is corrupted, it’s re-sent — so you still get perfect data.
  • Timing (jitter) is not carried through Ethernet like in SPDIF or AES. Your streamer/DAC reclocks the signal.
  • Therefore, sound quality differences are usually not from bit errors or timing, but from noise entering sensitive gear via Ethernet shielding or ground planes.

A very logical conclusion. 

signaforce's avatar
signaforce
340 posts
 

chatGPT claims that anything over cat 6 is overkill for audio use & may in fact induce noise, stating:

Cat6A (and above) connects shield to ground through the RJ45 connectors, which means:

  • It may create a ground loop if your router/switch and streamer share AC ground via the shield.
  • It can carry switching power supply noise from your router into your streamer or DAC.
  • That shield can act like an antenna for RF energy and radiate into nearby analog gear.

I realize chatGPT is not the ultimate authority, but food for thought  

 

More to discover