2. cables
  3. 131983-104581

Top Audiophile Ethernet Cables - any comparisons?

I just set up my new streamer with which I stream music from my mac mini to my dac. I use a dedicated network switch which connects the streamer and mac mini directly without going through the rest of my LAN.
I exchanged a standard CAT 7 cable on one leg of the connection with Audioquest's Forest Ethernet cable. There was a small but clearly audible improvement. From the reviews on the Web I conclude that the top cable by Audioquest (Diamond) would give the biggest improvement of all Audioquest Ethernet cables. 

Now my question: Has anyone compared the Audioquest Diamond with any other top cable by another manufacturer, e.g. Purist Audio, Cardas, Chord, ...? I live in Switzerland and have no dealer who can give me several of those cables to try. Thus, before spending a lot of money, I'd like to hear any opinions.

Thanks a lot for any replies!

By the way, I use a network switch that was modified for audiophile purposes (AQVOX). The difference to an off-the-shelf switch is tremendous!
belcantor

Showing 4 responses by belcantor

belcantor OP
4 posts
 
@david_ten: Thanks for the most helpful link - haven't found that site yet!

@willemj: Thanks for the link. Despite the theoretical considerations I did hear a difference between the two cables I was trying out. Measurements only help if they measure the relevant things.

@jinjuku: A lot of people (including me) would be grateful if you will share the results of your blind test.
belcantor OP
4 posts
 
> And the Cary Audio DMS-500?
When I get you right you use a computer as a file server in all set-ups, or am I wrong? So unless you use a linear PSU with the computer you get noise right from the beginning (affecting jitter). And the switched PSU we use in our computers generate a lot of hifreq noise.

The laptops are different if you ran them on battery only. That should be much better. But from what I heard, a very good linear PSU generates less noise than a battery. However, here I am just repeating what others say, I have no experience by myself. 
belcantor OP
4 posts
 
@jinjuku,

thanks for the details! So far I could only compare Audioquest's Forest Ethernet cable with a standard Cat7 cable. There was a clear difference. But I will do a blind test when my girlfriend is back and report.

System with which the test was done: mac mini with a Mojo external power supply, ayon NW-T network streamer, AQVOX switch between the two, ayon  CD-35 as a dac, Einstein power amp (Light in the Dark), Einstein The Preamp, Verity Sarastro II and a bunch of cables.

I think that especially if you do not use a high-grade (external) linear power supply for the computer (as server) you already get so much noise in the signal path from the computer's internal switched PSU that exchanging cables does not make a difference. When I switched the internal PSU of my mac mini with the external Mojo PSU I got a huge leap in sound quality.
belcantor OP
4 posts
 
@david_ten:
Thanks a lot - that is a very informative review.

In all reviews I have read so far the cable by Purist Audio Design came out quite high with a transparent and warm sound.
I will probably order this cable from my dealer and compare it with the SOtM dCBL-CAT6, which I have already ordered.
More to discover