2. cables
  3. 184533-159739

Sometimes more is not better -or- Ethernet Overkill

I recently replaced my 30' Cat 6 cable with a pair of TP Link fiber converters, ended with a Cat 8 cable to my streamer. This was a good upgrade for sure, however I started to notice haze and grain in vocals after I installed a new digital cable between my streamer and DAC. The digital cable was an improvement in resolution, which probably made the problem more obvious, but not yet critical. I recently replaced the Cat 6 links between router/modem and router/FMC with a pair of Cat 8 cables. Everything took another slight step down.

I then replaced all three of the Cat 8 links with the original Cat 6, and my system is back to exceptional clarity.

Some relevant details on cabling, all the Cat 6 is tested Blue Jeans cable. The Cat 8 from the FMC to the streamer was a Linkup (https://www.amazon.com/LINKUP-Ethernet-Screened-2000Mhz-Structure/dp/B07VVFB8VX?th=1), the other two Cat 8's used on the router end were low cost (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PL1P53C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details).

Yes, it could be the quality of the cable, though the LinkUp cable is no slouch. However, I also think that it could have to do with the extra shielding on Cat 8, and the connection that shield makes between the devices. Could this be acting as a channel for noise into the router and FMC's?

Anyway, thought it worth sharing. Try swapping out those Cat 8's for some quality Cat 6 and see if you hear a difference.

 

zlone

Showing 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
3,689 posts
 

No issues here either with CAT 8 from Amazon (Zosion).

I have the ability to use either fiber and converters or CAT 8 over 45 feet from my router to my system. Whichever I use goes into dual Bonn switches then the NA muon system into my server. The sonic difference between using the fiber and CAT 8 to deliver the signal into the Bonn switch is subtle or indistinguishable, to the point of being imagined. I do use LPS on everything - modem, router, all switches, and the converters.

Interestingly, Rich Truss of Network Acoustics commented about the use of fiber media converters in this thread:

We’ve found optical converters actually generate considerable noise in their conversion from photons to electrons, plus the extra noise injected from their PSU’s

It sounds like it’s the answer, but it doesn’t sound so good - think listening to music from source (Streamer, CD Transport) to DAC via an optical Toslink connection versus a good RCA or AES electrical connection.

My experiences in my system have not shown what I would consider easily identifiable or repeatable sonic differences between this digital wiring stuff including Ethernet cables, fiber vs. Ethernet, switches, or even the Denafrips Hermes DDC I have used.  This stuff has been largely indistinguishable to the point of being imagined.  Based on my experiences, I suspect differences in this stuff that are actually heard (and not imagined) are likely a result of the quality of the digital implementation/termination into the specific streamer/server being used.

 

mitch2
3,689 posts
 

@soix - Streamer/server is the Mojo Audio DejaVu similar to this one, except mine has the JCAT NET Card XE.  The DAC is a Mojo Audio Mystique X.  I also still have Mojo's Mystique Pro DAC which, IMO, is in the same ballpark as the X, while offering a different presentation.  I was using Network Acoustic's USB cable into the Hermes and Triode Wire Labs' AES/EBU cable from the Hermes into the DAC.  Denafrips suggested I try a BNC connection and although I have not done that yet, I will try it before I decide to sell the Hermes.

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