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Optimal lengths for USB and Ethernet cabling for digital audio

Hello, I have learned over the years that for coax digital cables, like those with RCA or BNC ends should be 1.5-2 meters in length to avoid some digital reflections being transmitted. Does this apply to USB cables and Ethernet cables that carry music in data form when a person uses those types of cables from network to DAC or streamer or from a streamer to DAC?

It seems to me the USB or Ethernet cables have more specific wires in them, and they carry power and computer communications data in those wires along with the digital music signal, but that may be, they still carry the music that will be decoded later.

troidelover1499

Showing 1 response by sns

sns
3,601 posts
 

I don't recall reading anything about reflection issues with ethernet or usb cables. Makes sense ethernet cables should be shortest possible to minimize rfi, although can still get in through connectors. For usb, seems 1.5m is pretty much standard length used, I've never deviated from this length.

 

As far as ethernet vs cable provider coax, I've found moving cable modem close to system via longer coax/shorter ethernet far preferable to shorter coax/longer ethernet. Another advantage is one can afford much better quality ethernet cable, 1 or 1.5m AQ Vodka vs aprox. 18m price, forget about it.

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