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Questions about Ethernet Cabling

PLEASE READ: This is not a thread about the merits or demerits of audiophile-grade ethernet cables, or any cable for that matter. If you don’t believe in spending extra on expensive cables, I respect your opinion but please don’t turn this into a point of contention.

So before I ask my questions, let me describe how internet connectivity is setup in my house:

- [Home office/study] The modem (AT&T), router (Google Nest/Mesh), and switch ($25 TP-link basic switch) are located in the home office/study. I also have a second system in this room as well as other stuff connected through the switch. In other words, I can’t move the switch to another room.

- [Media room] The main audio system is located in the media room which is in the diagonally opposite side of the house (single story). This room has the ENO ethernet filter connected to the Innuous Zenith MK3 streamer, and so on.

[Long ethernet cable] A very long run of ethernet cable (CAT 6/over 100 foot) runs from the [Home office/study] router and terminates into the [Media room] ethernet jack/wall plate. This was done by the builder and it runs through the attic.

- [Media room] From the [Media room] ethernet wall plate, I then use another 6 foot ethernet cable (also CAT 6) that goes into an ENO filter and then on to the Innuos Zenith MK3 streamer.

 

So here are my questions:

1. Is it worth upgrading only the so-called last-mile ethernet cable, i.e. the one between the [Media room] ethernet wall plate and Eno filter while I continue using the long CAT 6 cable [Study >> Media room]? It is going to be difficult, if not impossible, to replace the long-run CAT 6 cable as it goes through the attic where several spots are not reachable without tearing down some sheetrock.

2. Is it worth adding a second audiophile-grade switch (e.g. uptone) in the media room while leaving the one in the study as is? Or is it better to upgrade the switch in the study first and place the cheaper switch in the media room? Or do I need to replace both switches (not prefered as it adds to the cost)?

 

128x128arafiq
mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
263 posts
 

Good to know. I have ordered an Etherregen and waiting for its delivery so I am not there yet. 

This was in response to the company above who will take your switch (Cisco) and wire in an upgraded clock for 375 euro. The point above is stating it may not be better than the $30 clock in the etherregen. Now I haven't listened to either of these switches, and it is clear the upgraded Cisco switch should sound better than the stock Cisco switch, but based on Swenson's engineering experience explained above, I find it hard to believe it will best the etherregen. After all, the "cheap" clock isn't the only part doing good in the etherregen. Transparency wise, It is to be noted that Uptone specifies what they use, whereas other companies it is not so explicit what clock they are using. 

But sure, big spending for the clock in the quality required, whether Antelope, Mutek which is many multiples of the price of the etherregen I would hope would improve the sonics. There must be a reason Esoteric and DCS have $15000-30000 clocks. I am going to do myself a favour and not listen to these :)

Maybe Uptone's next product will be a $2000-$3000 super-etherregen, with an upgraded clock and other bits? 

But in your experience, clock first or upgraded power supply first for the ER? 

antigrunge2
1,331 posts
 

As John Swenson says, the power supply improvement moving to an LPS is small but audible,,weirdly dependent on the power cable.The better clock makes a significant difference, here again the quality of the BNC cable has a large impact.

What puzzles me is that in another forum from Asia people swear by multiple clocked switches in series or even multiple Etherregens.

Ours is a strange hobby, indeed

 

 

 

jerrybj
846 posts
 

Have just heard from my electrician I can use the phone cable in the wall for ethernet. May mean I won't have to stream via wifi. That's exciting.

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jerrybj
846 posts
 

Is there any benefit in placing a network switch before the modem, if there is already one further down the chain?

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