@agisthos  Thanks, a boatload, of which I have been able to find not one product after hours of searching. Please list a couple that you have tried. Thanks.

@sns

LPS = number 3 in this case. Limited Power Source

This post is perfect timing for me as I investigate the further refinement of my streaming setup.

I have learned much from others experience and gradually tested and implemented all the currently recognized solutions for eliminating noise. Please refer to my post on 3/29/2022 for my upgrade process used in my Sonore system.

I have an additional discovery to report. The only way to get the signal from the ultraRendu to my DAC is using a USB cable. What is the problem with such cables is they have a power wire integrated with the signal wires. This new cable came on the market recently, Pangea Audio Premier XL MKII USB Cable, and it tweaked my interest as a potential solution to a noise problem. I was not expecting much, but when installed, it made the single most profound blackening of the background of any tweak so far reveling hidden details by the bushel. Bravo! Genius! How ironic to scrub ethernet of noise pre-renderer and then reintroduce it post-renderer with a USB cable!?! Of course, after reaching this new sonic level, I cannot imagine further refinement possible.

Back to this post. Is the wifi corrupting the ethernet signal in my router? Is the 50’ of Cat8 cable running from router to switch picking up RFI? I will mull this over and find a path forward in the coming weeks because Everything Matters. I eagerly await the findings of those who implement your tweak of two routers. Thanks for the creative suggestion.

@sns  When I was considering the Pangea USB cable, I called Benchmark to inquire if their DAC3B needed the 5v signal over USB. They assured me that it did. They are working on a new design that does not, but it is not on the market yet. Therefore the Pangea offered an elegant solution.

So, if I understand you correctly, the 50’ CAT8 run is not an issue per se, because I will get the same potential RFI leakage through the connectors with say a 3’ run from router to switch? Thanks as this idea is new to me.

@sns  I did a little research :

 Cat 7 & Cat 8 require that all equipment and hardware in the system support a contiguous ground, or there will be no performance benefit to Cat 7/Cat 8 over previous standards such as Cat 6.

@sns ​

Shielding :

Cat 7 introduces foil wrap over twisted pairs.

Cat 8 introduces wire mesh over the foil shield over more intensely twisted pairs. This is obviously superior shielding to Cat 6, 6A, 7.

Both cables are grounded at both ends.

 

@agisthos

So, what are our choices?

1. Unshielded ethernet wire with possible RFI/EMI contamination

2. Shielded ethernet wire with contiguous grounds needing filtering

3. Wifi with potential dropouts

4. Most use a combination : 2) for the music signal, and 3) for playback control, getting the best reliability and convenience.

 

I am not a technician. This is just my layman’s understanding of what I have been trying to implement in my system.

My current understanding allies with the two camps:

A. We need to get all the "packets" delivered into the buffer to be fed to the DAC. Industry network standards seem to have this well covered.

B. We need to lower the noise floor (because this is where we hear the AUDIBLE GAINS) with multiple routers, optical filters, high quality cables, power supplies, power cables, resonance control and who knows what else.

C. It seems a lot of people have not been able to see these camps as two legs serving the same torso. And the disagreements arise when camp-two-implementations are seen as having no possible effects on camp-one-science. The question ultimately boils down to having your packets delivered pristinely or smeared with mud.

LORD, Bess this post!

@agisthos I am here to learn. I just finished looking at all the marketing blurbs for ethernet cables at Thecableco.com. Not one boasted floating the shielding and thus reinventing the  Cat specs. One boasted they do not have to twist their pairs, and another boasted that their materials were so above the norm they could not call there cables Cat Ethernet (sigh). Could you please list some cables that float their shields? Thanks

@yyzsantabarbara I think Benchmark would say that all there inputs sound the same. You should call them. They are very gracious about your questions and experiences. My thought revolves back to my discovery of the impact of a separate power wire in the Pangea  USB design. 30 day refund available.

@agisthos You have tweaked my interest in trying the Melco C100 cable as the last cable coming out of my second FO converter into my Sonore ultraRendu. When I inserted the Pangea SE here it made the most dramatic difference. This would be the place to test the broken ground shield effectiveness.

I was unable to find one online review of this cable. Have you personally tried it?

I have been unable to find a US distributor after a morning searching. Any leads?

@agisthos  Exciting thread. Thanks for jumping in first to try this. I shall be doing this soon.

Please ignore all negativity. Positivity requires thought and consideration, an elevated state.

I too would like some clarification on jitter and latency. SNS seems to speak in generalities at times instead of clearly stating the basis of his findings. I am just trying to keep this wonderful thread civil and prospering. SNS also speaks of RFI contamination through ethernet ports. I won't begin to count the ports being used in my network on both ends of each cable. What could possibly be done about it? Clarification please! 

I have a TP-link wireless access point coming next week. I shall report back.

I reached out to Underwood HiFi, a Melco dealer, about the C100 ethernet cable. He had never heard of it. He is checking with Melco for me as to availability and price in the USA. I found it on Ebay as an import from Europe. These dealers, including Underwood, will not entertain selling it to me with a return option, which is a probable deal breaker.

I am interested in pursuing this cable as a way to break the ground noise as the signal goes into my Sonore ultraRenu or maybe before the FO filter. This will be a good opportunity to retest the effectiveness of my FO filter. The last time I removed it the signal was degraded and back it went.

Right now, before any of these upgrade experiments, I am delighted with the sound that I am getting from my network. However, when I listen critically, which I do not find entertaining, I can imagine a little veil or puffiness that could potentially be removed. This is what I experienced when I installed the Pangea Audio Premier XL MKII USB Cable. Let me reiterate. If you are using the USB input into your DAC, and your DAC needs the 5v signal, then this is the only game in town that I know of that will prevent noise contamination. The difference is not subtle. Does anyone know another solution?

Keep the positive contributions coming boys. It would be a crying shame to have this thread deleted.

Back to the discussion.

While I am waiting for my wireless access point to be delivered today, it occurred to me that I should be able to turn my wifi in my router on and off while streaming from Qobuz and still being able to control Qobuz with a wired laptop; and I could, easily. (After you push SAVE it takes my router about 10 seconds for implementation.) Bless SNS, he was right. A subtle veil could be easily added or subtracted with the wifi blanket and the effect immediately perceived. Something for you to play with and hear for yourself! The one thing I BELEIVE is my ears!!

@sns Many thanks for sharing this insight! I am sitting here simply gob-smacked while listening to my favorites with the windshield wiped to a new transparency. 

Until your next discovery.

What did I write @01-18-2023 at 03:01pm that nobody seems to have paid attention to. The thread has virtually collapsed.

01-21-2023 at 10:52am

I am interested in trying the Melco C100 ethernet cable to see if the ground break in the shield offers any benefits. I found out it will not be available in the USA until late March.

@thyname  With the ungrounded shield end, the Melco cable will not meet CAT specs, and will therefore be unique.

Let me share my journey tweaking my streaming network that I built around a Small Green Computer bundle.

FO through wall > ONT > ethernet cat 8 > router > cat 8 > $15 switch > cat 8 > i5 Transporter.

Same switch > cat 8 > FMC > Fiber optic > FMC > cat 8 > ultraRendu with LPS > Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable to Benchmark DAC3B.

I had completely solved all power problems in my system to achieve a superior black background. The above still had grunge :

1. I added a LPS with a Y adapter to power both FMC = better

2. I added a LPS to the Transporter = better

3. I replaced the LPS power chords with Pangea Audio AC-14SE MkII = better

4. I wrapped my fiber optical cable in bubble wrap. It seems they are sensitive to vibrations. = better

5. I replaced the 3 post switch cat 8 ethernet cables with Pangea Premier SE = way way way better, but STILL some remaining niggly grunge!

I had not bought into the $700-$2000+ ethernet switch mania. I had bought my $15 plastic covered switch from Home Depot. I did try a more expensive switch and sent it back because I could hear no improvement. I rewired post switch and removed the FMCs. LISTENED. Then I added the FMCs back in. They were definitely improving the sound, by a lot!

6. I ordered a iFi iPower X Ultra Low Noise AC/DC Power Supply for the switch. I took out the FMCs again and installed the new PS. WHAM!! The sound came into complete focus. I reinstalled the FMCs again and now a huge amount of grunge had disappeared.

7. The new Pangea Audio Premier XL MKII USB Cable came on the market, which separates out the 5v current wire from the signal wires. Because my Benchmark DAC was using the 5v current, I replaced my previous Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable (same wire and connecters) and wiped another smear of noise from the window. This is the single biggest improvement of all these suggestions.

8. Shutting the WIFI off in my primary router and using a wireless access point to regain WIFI for the house. It has been less than 24 hours since I did this but the result seems principally in opening up the soundstage : width, depth, and clearer separation. It is too early, but this clarity is maybe revealing other flaws that somehow need to be creatively addressed!?!?! (Are the transients too rounded?)

This was a 3 1/2 year journey. I learned a ton along the way. I hope it is helpful to someone else.

@sns

Well, it has been a week since implementing the WIFI tweak. Thanks again sns, BRILLIANT! And once again I declared that I am done optimizing my network system. The sound is truly "there" and have I have spent the week listening 97.5% to Qobuz.

Well again, how good is it actually? Time for a test:

Last year I discovered Estavo Dudamel conducting the complete (4) Charles Ives symphonies recorded by DG and streamed on Qobuz 24/96. The interpretations and sound were truly top grade. So good that I purchased the CDs for my library. So let’s do an A/B.

My CD transport is an Esoteric DV 50 with coaxial to my Benchmark DAC3B which is not a bad setup. I started the CD and gave it a few seconds head start on the stream. When I heard a passage that I found might be revealing, I switched sources and got an immediate echo of the passage. I COULD NOT DISCERN ANY DIFFERENCE AS I COURSED THROUGH THE FOUR MOVEMENTS. That was impressive to me. Case closed.

Of course I was soon on my hands and knees squinting at the power supplies supplied by my ISP for the ONT and ATT router. "12v lps"? they both proclaimed.

Let’s see, LPS :

1. Linear Power Supply?

2.Long Playing Records?

3. Limited Power Supply!

I learn something every day. How could replacing these sound any better than what my test revealed? I have followed the rabbit down the hole this far. Am I going to stop now? I give myself three days to a week before I cave to the tune of another $500 for the two power supplies.

@agisthos  Thanks. I have three iFi Power X in my system at this point, one each for my two phono preamps and one for my ethernet switch. I am in love with their performance. It was my plan to use another for the ONT. However, the router needs three amp supply, so I am looking at iFi iPower Elite Power Supply. $410  for the pair plus PC  which I already have.

@thyname I have ATT

@jerryg123 

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on this combo. I am in a little over my head. Would you please give look and relay any advice? Will this get me to where I want to go? Many thanks!

Zyxel Multi-Gig 12-Port Unmanaged Switch with 2-Port 2.5G and 2-Port 10G SFP+ Desktop/Wallmount, 5-Years Warranty [XGS1010-12]

FCBG110SD1C01

https://www.qsfptek.com/product/99867.html

This is an update of previous posts on this thread. I hope you are up to it. Please bear with me.

Let me share my journey tweaking my streaming network that I built around a Small Green Computer bundle. Back when I initially set up this configuration I modeled it exactly after Michael Lavorgna’s, now of Twittering Machines. It was stated that wired ethernet contains a multitude of music destroying noises that must be dealt with. Who was I to argue. At the time I didn’t even know what an ethernet switch was (a free- lance musician and private music teacher leading a sheltered existence) :

FO through wall > ONT > ethernet cat 8 > router > cat 8 > $15 switch > cat 8 > i5 Transporter.

Same switch > cat 8 > FMC > Fiber optic > FMC > cat 8 > ultraRendu with LPS > Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable to Benchmark DAC3B.

I had completely solved all power problems in my system to achieve a superior black background. The above still had grunge :

1. I added a LPS with a Y adapter to power both FMC = better

2. I added a LPS to the Transporter = better

3. I replaced the LPS power chords with Pangea Audio AC-14SE MkII = better

4. I wrapped my fiber optical cable in bubble wrap. It seems they are sensitive to vibrations. = better

5. I replaced the 3 post switch cat 8 ethernet cables with Pangea Premier SE = way way way better, but STILL some remaining niggly grunge!

I had not bought into the $700-$2000+ ethernet switch mania. I had bought my $15 plastic covered switch from Home Depot. I did try a more expensive switch and sent it back because I could hear no improvement. I rewired post switch and removed the FMCs. LISTENED. Then I added the FMCs back in. They were definitely improving the sound, by a lot!

6. I ordered a iFi iPower X Ultra Low Noise AC/DC Power Supply for the switch. I took out the FMCs again and installed the new PS. WHAM!! The sound came into complete focus. I reinstalled the FMCs again and now a huge amount of grunge had disappeared.

7. The new Pangea Audio Premier XL MKII USB Cable came on the market, which separates out the 5v current wire from the signal wires. Because my Benchmark DAC was using the 5v current, I replaced my previous Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable (same wire and connecters) and wiped another smear of noise from the window. This is the single biggest improvement of all these suggestions.

8. Shutting the WIFI off in my primary router and using a wireless access point to regain WIFI for the house. It has been less than 24 hours since I did this but the result seems principally in opening up the soundstage : width, depth, and clearer separation.

9. I have lived with this for two weeks and I gradually became aware of a persistent coloration that I eventually came to realize was masking the harmonic structure of the sound. Once I defined the problem there was no ignoring it. The problem had to be solved.

I started digesting the suggestions in this thread for optimizing an optical filter as I watched the $$$ mount. I remembered that Mr. Lavorgna moved on by replacing his optical filter with a GagaFOIL. I found some a thread on this very subject, and some level-headed fellow suggested removing the filter for a listen before proceeding. It was simple to connect an ethernet cable directly from my switch to the Sonore ultraRendu. I pushed play on Qobuz not knowing what to expect. Not only was the coloration banished, but the musicians exploded into the room, the result of expanded dynamic freedom . I was sitting there like a 1 year old that had seen his first Jack-in-the-Box! I stayed up late last evening listening to favorites with profound new revelations at every turn of phrase.

This morning I decided to redo the test I had done previously comparing Dudamel conducting Ives Symphony 2 : Qobuz 24/96 vs CD 16/44.1. The first time I reported that they sounded identical. Now they did not. The Qobuz sounded like a SACD being compared to a CD, which is what it should sound like when comparing different resolutions. The CD sounded like the colored generic-optical stream and the all-wired stream of Qobuz sounded much more open and revealing of detail!

My network is now simplified being all wired ethernet with no optical:

FO through wall > ONT > ethernet cat 8 > router > cat 8 > $15 switch w/iFi PS > Pangea ethernet > i5 Transporter w/LPS

Same switch > Pangea ethernet > ultraRendu with LPS > Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable to Benchmark DAC3B.

Now I am going to jump into the weeds and try to draw some conclusions :

a. There are two ways to skin-this-ethernet-cat : All wired or conversion to all optical, both can sound equally good.

b. What was the source of this needing an optical filter to clean wired noise? : primarily WIFI proximity in router combos, the inverse square law at work. Also those dreaded SMPS did their harm. With these two noises sources eliminated wired ethernet sounds completely clean, no longer needing a filter.

c. I am sensing the optical filter could remove some, but not all of this upstream noise suggesting a confirmation of sns’s assertion of signal damage. This could and should be investigated by someone with the right equipment and expertise. What happens to the square wave when subjected to intense RFI in these router combos?

d. Wired network optimization now consists of the tried and true audiophile tweaks of quality cabling and ALL THINGS POWER. Optical network optimization needs the highest quality converters with additional LPS, transceivers and optical cable. BOTH need to use separate Wireless-Access-Point. This can be effective, but is it necessary? It sure is expensive.

e. IMHO, for those newly setting up their network, I highly recommend all Pangea digital cables, the highest model only, available with a 30 day return. Give them a listen against the mega-buck cables and see what you think.

Am I done? This post reveals that I make no changes in my system unless I have clearly defined a problem that needs a solution. I listen to music with my trained and experienced musician’s ears. Problems always surface when I get frustrated trying to parse more meaning out of the performance/sound. My system has been meticulously tweaked. When one first starts tweaking, the sonic changes are minute because there are still so many problems masking clarity. However, as you get to the end, each new tweak is a revelation/game-changer. They are harder to find but Oh-so-rewarding. If I can find anything new I’ll report back.

This was a 3 1/2 year journey. I learned a ton along the way. I hope it is helpful to someone else.

The entry from me that follows is mostly a repeat of yesterdays post with one spelling correction, some clearer grammar, and slight content changes, in the attempt to be maximally clear and useful. This is my present understanding of the subject.

 

Has anyone taken the initiative to have someone who is competent test the effects of extreme WIFI RFI in routers? I think would be an easy test and that we all would benefit from the findings!! 

@erik_squires

"If you are using Ethernet in the home, and you have ANY packet loss or retransmissions you have a serious issue."

Would you clarify what you mean? Occasionally when listening to Qobuz over my 100% wired ethernet the music will pause. I have come to accept this as packet/packets that have gotten delayed, maybe taking a left turn into Russia encountering the KGB. If I wait patiently, sometimes up to a minute, the packets will appear and the music resumes automatically without further glitches. Thanks.

Hello guys. Any gals?

1. As is often the case, a system improvement can create wonderful repercussions throughout a system. I reported removing the optical filter from my network. In doing so I removed two FMCs, a FO cable, LPS and PC. I would like to use that LPS in my system, if I could find a 9v SMPS. After a couple of days I was on my hands and knees peering at the PS for my Origin Live motor controller on my mono TT and discovered a 9v SMPS! Installing the LPS resulted in what I would describe as refined pacing, bringing profound realness/presence to the musicians.

Inspired, I knew that my Project Speed Box S2 motor controller, used on my stereo table, had a SMPS. Last year I had retired an Sbooster LPS when I found one that performed better for a phono preamp. I tried it on that controller and the sonic impact was unbelievable. Now I will have to listen to my 6000 LPs all over again!

I love it when I get lucky!

2. I have been mulling over the phenomenon of ethernet noise. I reported that I am not finding any. Noise is our enemy because it results in deformity, masking of silences, colorations. My streaming sounds identical or better in direct comparison to physical media. When I listen to my network there are no computers or any other tasks in operation other than delivery of music packets, because I have no unruly teenagers or recalcitrant significant others to deal with. Now if I had a bank of computers crunching the stock, bond, commodity markets, and FOREX, with the goal of getting the bucks for a $7-figure system, operating on the same network, then I would expect finding music listening impossible. Isn’t this the same as those who find listening at night an improvement when the electric grid is quieter?

3. Extrapolating on this experience, I now KNOW I have to replace the SMPS with LPS on the ONT and router from my ISP. A jump in performance awaits me. I have picked out the models and I am searching searching for a good price. Patience, patience.

@pokey77

Hey guys,

I use ATT. The router uses 12v 3A so my plan is iFi iPower Elite Power Supply.

The ONT is in the house above the baseboard and the accompanying SMPS is rated 12v .6A so my plan is iFi iPower X Ultra Low Noise AC/DC Power Supply. I already use 3 of these and they are fantastic when paired with the right component.

Now that you mention it the iFi Elite could cover both with the splitter that I already have. I’ll give it some more thought.

The other possibility is a Keces P6 which could cover both.

I would love to entertain other suggestions!

@pokey77 I am glad to be in the loop. Let me know when someone moves forward and what they experienced. Today I tested my Y-splitter and it fit both the router and ONT perfectly. This is the last thing for me to explore in my system. Everything I have explored these last four years in every corner of my system has been a keeper, except for two :

1. I am sticking with my $15 ethernet switch after I upgraded it with the iFi iPower X

2. After the WIFI tweak I removed the optical filter because it was coloring the sound ever so subtly.

As usual I don't know what to expect, but I am pretty sure there will be no going back.

Wintry mix today. Let’s do some testing.

I can’t remember where I read this recently, maybe in this thread. No matter.

It was reported that the ethernet cable direction makes a difference. My findings : definitely!!!!!

Test piece : Qobuz stream 16/44.1 : Elliott Carter "Horn Concerto" which is a highly detailed and dramatic work sure to reveal any differences.

First, I reversed cat 8 between ONT and router and a veil was removed!!

Second, I reversed Pangea ethernet between switch and Sonore ultraRendu, and I had it right the first time.

Third, I reversed Pangea between switch and Transporter i5 resulting in severe sonic degradation. Back to the way it was originally.

I don’t have the courage to reverse the 50’ cat 8 running under my floor and suspended with cable ties, but extrapolating from what I heard, I think I got it right(grin).

Three out of four ain’t bad, but that one reversal has taken things to a new level of dynamic freedom and sonic clarity.

I guess it is just human nature that when something new and unexpected gets reported anger, laziness, and opinions on why it cannot be true surface first. Yes ethernet signals flow both ways, but does that mean that one installation is not superior to another? Give that a think.

Take a deep breath and when you are sober, open minded, hearing acutely, bored/curious, walk over to your rack (flashlight recommended) and make one of the easiest changes you will ever make. Pick any convenient ethernet cable and reverse it. IF you hear a difference, work your way through the 2 or 3 other cables you are using one at a time. Yes, one of them may be long and cumbersome. Listen and report back so all may learn.

I am grateful for this new discovery because it gave me a foundation to explore ethernet cabling in my system. Initially I researched out an inexpensive Chinese brand of cat 8 that had excellent published specs and just went with it. When I substituted Pangea cables post switch (Every component in my system has to be best value for the dollar, systematically synergistic, and musical sounding. No budget busting or retirement account draining devices allowed!) I got a nice jump in clarity and left it at that. Now, when I had just removed the optical filter from my network, I had an extra Pangea and decided to try it between my ONT and router.

This involved some work as the cable was short necessitating me moving my router much closer to the ONT. I removed the Ethernet cable whose direction had been determined, with a cable whose direction was not determined. I had to try it both ways and then go back and forth between cables a couple of times, and the Pangea won. The Chinese cable sounds wonderful but just a little smooth and a little less open on the top. This is subtle but clear to me, and the more open cable leads to less fatigue in longer listening sessions.

This suggests that the remaining 50' Chinese cable MAY need to be replaced. I ordered a 20m Supra cat 8 which will arrive on Monday with a return option. As usual, I hope it does not improve my sound, but actually wish that it will. Who doesn't like better sound?

I invite the more perspicacious of this forum to report their findings.  

 

 

@pokey77 thanks for the input. I was hoping for a slam dunk with the supra. I am going from router to switch. Any forward motion with the power supplies? 

@pokey77  I just ordered the Linkup. I will have 3 cables to compare and return the other. Thanks again!

Early next week I will have results of an ethernet cable shootout. All four cables will be 15 to 20m. I am doing this because I have a sound problem that needs to be solved. Besides the inclination, I have the time to do this. More on that later.

What I would like to solicit, does anyone know of an ethernet cable 15m+ that has silver plated copper conductors? I imagine such a cable might solve my problem and I have not been able locate one. I hypothesize that my positive results with Pangea cables is because of the wire that they use. The longest cable they offer is 5m. I will contact them to see if they will make one to special order.

I will also be experimenting with ethernet cable direction to see how universal it is. In my research leading up to this task I discovered that all Audioquest ethernet cables have directional arrows on their connectors, for what that is worth. I will never buy their products because I do not want to fall victim to their price gouging strategy (IMHO).

@pokey77 I bought the DC Y adapter from Amazon 4 years ago. The link is not remembered. I searched a long time to get the heaviest AWG 18, 35cm. They are often used in surveillance.

Supra cat8 just arrived and it is still cold off the truck. It is definitely directional and blows my two other cables away. Linkup arriving Mon.

I don't have the iFi elite yet but I am leaning in that direction.

@mastering92 @wsrrsw

The only thing I want is it to please myself with musical sound.

The only thing I know is what I heard. I recommend that all do their own due diligence as to what pleases them and works best in their system.

All the listening tests were done alone.

Ladies and Gentlemen : the results of

The Great Ethernet Cable Shootout

The contenders :

1. Pangea Premier SE .6m

2. Gigaware cat6 24awg 15m (Radio Shack)

3. Chinese No-name cat8 26awg 15m published specs (Amazon)

4. Linkup cat 8 22awg 15m published specs (Amazon)

5. Supra 8 26awg 20m audiophile claims published specs (ebay)

All cables were individually listening tested for directionality. It was conclusively unanimous, all of the ethernet cables sounded better one way than the other. When installed backwards the principal result was a shrinking of the soundstage. It seemed the longer the cable the more dramatic the effect. Since none of the cables had marked arrows, the chances of correct installation when testing a new cable was 50%, and that is what I achieved. With a little experience I could hear the narrow soundstage in less than a minute. These results are corroborated in Audio Quests ethernet cable literature :

 

Directionality

All audio cables are directional. The correct direction is determined by listening to every batch of metal conductors used in every AudioQuest audio cable. Arrows are clearly marked on the connectors to ensure superior sound quality. For best results, have the arrow pointing in the direction of the flow of music. For example, NAS to Router, Router to Network Player.

 

After I had corrected the reversed cable in my network, and replaced the short Chinese cat8 with Pangea, the sonic improvements led me to suspect the 15m Chinese cat8 as maybe still a remaining bottleneck in my network.

ONT > Pangea > router > WINNER of the Shootout > switch > Pangea > Sonore ultraRendu

A. I installed the Gigaware cat 6 that I used when I first started to experiment with streaming years ago. The sound was horrible. It reduced the sound of $$$$ equipment to the sound of $$ equipment.

B. The Chinese cat8 was good sounding and I could get Qobuz 24/96 tracks to sound like SACD. When after weeks of reading this thread and working on my network I listened to silver discs again, I found a subtle difference which I felt I needed to pursue, leading to this test.

C. The Linkup cat8 is an industrial strength cable, unusually thick and stiff. My initial impression is this is going to need significant break in time. After 24 hours it sounds better but in no way settled. My impression is that it is a system dependent cable. I am pretty sure it will never be the right fit for me.

D. The SLAM-DUNK WINNER is SUPRA 8. When I dropped this into my system the instincts leading to this test were completely justified. Indeed, the Chinese cable was holding the sound hostage. The soundstage opened to new unheard of width and depth. The dynamics were so free and the musicians were so present, I wondered why I could not smell their sweat. I did not think to look at my speakers because it was obvious there was no music was emanating from them!

Upon reflection there is a synergy between the Pangea and Supra, a perfect marriage. Each allow the other complete freedom to do its thing. Since I will never hear a complete loom of either Pangea or Supra, I cannot conjecture what they would sound like. I don’t care, because when you have found the love of your life, you will only confuse yourself or do harm by continuing to play the field.

There are so many other brands/models to choose from. Many of you have your favorites. For me the above setup is a cost effective value-for-performance solution that I have always searched for.

One last thought. It has become obvious that streaming is opening a new sonic frontier. I am hearing a new realism in my room that has exceeded analogue LPs and various iterations of silver discs. I have excellent front ends for each. I think this is due to dynamic freedom. I have limited opportunity to experience this rapidly developing technology. But I am happy to live out my days where I am now, which is where I could never have imagined I would be.

System Repercussion When I bought my Benchmark DAC3B I purchased a Pangea coaxial cable to connect my Esoteric DV50 universal player. This excellent sound was what made me search for the remaining unsolved network problem. The improvement achieved was so profound and truly stunning, when I went back to listen to a CD for enjoyment, I heard something unnatural in the flute obligato behind the baritone soloist. What could that be. There is a three position toggle switch on the face of the Esoteric for filter selection. When I first made the connection to the DAC3B I gave it a cursory flip through. I didn’t notice anything and gave it no more thought. With my hearing to a new place, I toggled from double over-sampling to the FIR filter. Suddenly all was sweet and beautiful. The "princess" had found another pea under the mattress.

In these forums I see discussions on which format sounds better. The true answer is they should all sound equally satisfying even while having their distinct sonic signature. If one format sounds inferior in your system, you have some work to do!

I still have not got a PS for my IPS ONT and router.

@pokey77 Cool. The directionality thing is just something I stumbled onto by sheer chance. Just one reversed cable and your whole network is off. I hope others are testing their cables.

The Supra 8 just settled into my system and immediately sounded like a million bucks. I have sent the Linkup back for a refund. I am done with cabling!

I will probably cave in and order the iFi elite PS this week. It is the absolute last thing to do in my system. I will report back and let everyone know how it sounds.

@tonywinga thanks for your sharing the results of your tests. Very helpful!

@pokey77  I never tried the GF as I was just starting out and wasn't ready to spend big bucks. Make sure to upgrade ONT and router PS!

@upshift  Trust the ears. Listening comprehension is a life-time journey. Eventually all manufacturers will do it for us. Don't hold your breath.

@agisthos where did you buy it? Did you have a 30 day return option?