2. cables
  3. 186004-77425

Value of a premium Ethernet cable

In my current setup, digital music from a Roon ROCK NUC server travels through an Uptone Audio EtherRegen and a short link of fiber, thence to a long stretch of ordinary contractor-grade Cat 5a cable, and finally to a dCS Bartók streaming DAC.

 

At substantial effort and expense, I could rearrange things so the final length of Ethernet would be replaced by a single run of something like an Audioquest Vodka Ethernet cable. I'm wondering if anyone has experience of whether this is worth the trouble and expense. Well mostly the expense; the "trouble" is the hobby part of it.

john_g

Showing 5 responses by tksteingraber

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
533 posts
 

Thought I would repost this from another thread…any insight?

 If you have Fiber optic cable (with LPS on FMC’s) between a mesh router and network streamer will an LPS on the router or high end cables make an improvement?  I have tried several levels of ethernet cables (Audioquest, Pangea, Amazon, blue jeans, Chinese Nordost Odin in copper and silver plated) and have not heard a difference.  Ended up using a copper Cat 8 shielded from amazon and returned or sold the others.  Is it just me and my systems or does it not matter?

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
533 posts
 

@antigrunge2 thanks for your insight…my set up is:  mesh router-ethernet-FMC-fiber-FMC-ethernet-Bricasti M5 network streamer-USB-Dac….both FMC’s on LPS and Bricasti has built in LPS.  I have tried different quality ethernet cables within this set up and couldn’t discern any SQ difference.  Is that due to fiber doing it’s job or just my system not up to the task? Thanks

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
533 posts
 

@macg19 interesting how cables perform differently in different systems.  I compared Amazon cat 8 generic, BJ, Pangea SE and AQ Cin and could hear no discernible difference.  Returned them all kept Amazon. I have a Bricasti M5 network streamer with an  optical set up that might be the reason.  I did hear a difference between Wifi and cabled on my prior set up.  To each his own…

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
533 posts
 

@ghdprentice can you share more details on what you baked and how they tastes differed?  Thanks 👨‍🍳 

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
533 posts
 

@macg19 try giving a value Amazon optical set up a try.  Under $100 without LPS. Couple hundred with an LPS. Some like it others don’t and it’s returnable.  Worked wonders for me. Set up is  router-ethernet cable- FMC-Optical cable- 2nd Fmc - best ethernet cable- streamer. 

FMC Need 2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716XT1QT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1  

Optical cable Need 1:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PTTWT1F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
LPS Optional but worth it , powers 2 FMC’s need 2 cords.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T44S4MV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

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