Supra Cat 8 Ethernet cable

For those who experienced good audio over Supra 8 cat 8, did you use it with your streamers? 

@audioman58  Wow thats a long time for burn in. Am hoping for some smoothening with my Supras now with some burn in as I look for alternatives. 

@mike_in_nc  Thanks for the valuable advise. You make a lot of sense. Now I realise why my system sounds bright. Its quite a reality check cause I was reading most reviews and these  Supra Cat 8 cables were very well reviewed by most. But I didnt not come across the sheilding issue. Never knew ethernet cables could make such an impact on sound. I was intially  skeptical that I would experience any change  from upgraded  ethernet cables but was surprised how my system became rather bright. The ethernet cables do make a difference!  In my case, for the worse. Thankfully I didnt spend too much. Guess I learnt something.   Will look out for  a good cat 6 or 7 cable then.  Just bought a Gotham power chord for my node 2i. Hope that cheers me up!  Thank you for your very informative sharing. 

@lordmelton  Thanks for the options. As I am experimenting, dont wish  to invest too much as yet. Heard about the audioquest as well which apparently is good.  But it is expensive where I am located. Thinking of trying out some Blue Jeans ethernet cables perhaps. Seems cost effective and apparently some good feedback  so far.

@audphile1  Thanks for sharing. At least there is a ray of hope for me.  Good to hear it worked well in your system. Will run it in since I already bought it.

@audphile1 Sound advice indeed!  Am quite happy with my system but as the audiophile itch goes, looking for incremental changes, where possible;)

@akg_ca  Thanks for the detailed brief!

@audioman58  Good suggestion. Will leave streamer running.  Thanks

I am running the Supra Cat 8b cable with  my streamer left on playing a bunch of music with my amps off.  Will have it running a day or two. Hope this helps. Thanks for your suggestions.

I have been running in my Supra 8 ethernet cable by playing my node2i overnight (with my amps off) for the past few days. Having done this, I did an A/B testing with my stock node 2i cat 5e ethernet cables.  The Supra was  much more detailed  with better bass tightness and thump. But it was still much edgy and brighter compared to the stock cable.  Some songs sounded harsh. The stock  ethernet cable while not as  detailed or with defined bass production like the Supra, was more musical, warm and involving to listen to. Non fatiguing at all.  I tend to immerse with the music laid back with the stock ethernet cable,  rather than being on the edge of my seat with the Supra, absorbing the details along with the brightness.

I have been reading about the Supras. Some say its better at the back end as in wall socket to router rather than  front end such as router to streamer.  Has that worked for anyone? My other step in experimentation is to get a Blue Jeans cat 5e or 6 ethernet cable .  If the Blue Jeans (BJC) doesnt work then I will stop the ethernet experimentation and just rely on my stock ethernet cable. Anyone has experiences with the BJC? Appreciate your thoughts.

@audphile1  My supra ethernet is connected from my bluesound node 2i to a router switch which also has my TV lan and internet connections. The internet cable  comes from the wall to the router. The router  power socket is connected to a power strip and the power strip to my wall socket.  I dont have Roon or DSP. I stream via my bluesound. I stream from Tidal via my bluesound app on my phone. 

@audphile1 Thank you for your detailed explanation. Yes  Class D amps are traditionally  hot sounding. The XTZ however leans to a neutral delivery. Honestly its a great steal for the price. As for my Klipschs  refrence premiere speakers they are a tad bit bright not as bright as the ones of the past that Klipschs are known for. I have a tube Schiit Freya + preamp which tones down the brightness and helps give a smoother feel.  So far with my stock 5e ethernet cable, the combo somehow  sounds warmer. 

But you are right, maybe the Supras are revealing  the true effects of the system compared to my stock ethernet cable. Sorry for a noob question. How does one ground a router. Mine does not come with screws and it is just placed on my console. 

@audphile1  Yes  sorry I was referring to my router.  I have 3 big absorption panels on the wall opp my system. Initially, I had a carpet on the floor but the sound became too deadened. So  I removed it. The sound becomes more alive without the carpet.

@audphile1 Thanks for the tip. Will check it out. Room acoustics are indeed critical. 

@audphile1  Yes behind the listening couch. 

@calvinandhobbes Tks for sharing.

@marco1 Yes I feel the same. Gonna try Blue Jeans cat 6 next. And if it doesnt work, go back to stock which was quite good for starters.