Ethernet Cables - what are you using and why?

Some time back, over a year ago at least, I did not think an ethernet cable could make much of a difference.  Then I was reading about the skin effect, ie higher frequency signals ride on the surface of wires.  It is easily calculable so I looked at the skin effect of the frequencies used by the ethernet.  I don't remember the exact numbers now.  I would have to dig around in my notes but I recall that the signal travels very close to the surface of the wires.  The newer version of Pangea ethernet cables have Ag plated Cardas wire and they are, or were (maybe they still are) attractively priced- about 5x the price of a basic, cheap ethernet cable.  I figured silver would be a good conductor for the ethernet signal and solid silver wire was not needed.  So I bought a Pangea ethernet cable to try.  First result was the cable sounded worse than the stock $6 ethernet cable.  Hmm.  I let it break in for 24 hours but it still sounded bad.  Mainly the highs were worse- very edgy and unpleasant.  I was about to remove the Pangea cable but then I thought to turn it around.  Bam!  Now it sounded great.  It was much better than the stock ethernet cable.  Now the highs were better and clarity improved.  Too bad Pangea does not mark the direction on their cables.  I found it easy enough to hear the difference but it takes an extra step to get the cable oriented properly.  Since then I moved to AQ ethernet cables.  Better sound but not as cost efficient as the Pangea.  Those are a great upgrade for the price.

Hey tubeguy80...

Experienced wire guy here...see posts.  For the last couple years, I've focused on a more professional room tuning plus adding the BACCH dsp, as my budget allowed.  I chose to delay upgrading my 20' run of pedestrian, decently made, Ethernet cable that runs from my modem to my PC source.  My long-time IT audio buddies, who lean much more objective than subjective, strongly advised "don't bother." 

Well, a couple months ago I DID bother, changing to a 3.0M run of DH Labs REUNION Silver Sonic Cat 8 Ethernet cable, $250 less the "frequent flyer" discount.  My low expectations were immediately startled, and yes, it got better in the next several days.  I think the magic is in the absolutely firm connectors, the most snug-fitting, purpose built, Ethernet plugs I've yet encountered.  My results are akin to a preamp upgrade.  For quality and safety assurances I buy from The Cable Company.  Disclaimer:  I've no professional affiliation, simply a very positive history.  

More Peace     Pin              (bold print for old eyes)

@pinthrift Interesting and thanks for sharing and just reinforces the other positive feedback on the value/performance of DH Labs cables.  BTW, how do you like the BAACH system?  Do you just use the Mac version?

Hi soix...

I've had the Bacch Lab Plug-in download since last August.  Do a search for the plug-in.  I'm Windows based here in Maine.

Sadly, the price has been bumped up to a serious price for many now.  It was under $300 last summer, doable for many music lovers having more moderate systems.  I'm hoping popularity or competition will pull the price back to a more universal reach.

I'm running Windows 10 with the Foobar Music Player.  Mike, my skillful Music Computer Tech, onboards the technical stuff for me, remotely.  I'm age 78 (next week) and we collaborate nicely with finely tuned DSP, to a 100th of a decibel.  Mike has longtime, deep experience, enough to have earlier applied crosstalk removal with results similar to the BACCH.  He defined my interest in the BACCH as a "no-brainer" decision.  

Here in my small-dedicated sound studio, the BACCH experience has been revelatory.  As a highly impassioned music lover now having experience with the BACCH over many sweet-spot hours, I would not be without it.  I find more minimalist, purely miked recordings respond best, large to small, from Mahler to solo vocals and instruments.  I posted some early findings in our GoN Forum found in my history.  Purity of tone "timber" is my most vital chase in recreated sound, where the BACCH continues to impress most, followed closely by a larger, more holographic, yet natural stage, maintaining lovely center fill.    

I've read of complaints that busily produced studio albums can sound different.  Well, who really knows their intent?  I find them more interesting.  Last I saw, there is a two-week free-trial of the BACCH Plug-in.  With a computer and some Tech assistance, worth the time.      Best, Pin      

I just received my BJC Ethernet cable, running from my router to my Aurender N150. Someone on this thread (or another) stated Ethernet cables with metal on their connectors (per Aurender) could cause distortion. My old CAT 8 had metal. With the move to BJC, my N150 sounds noticeably cleaner. Thank you!