Ethernet cables

Resurrecting a 1yr old thread. "Ethernet Cables".

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Ask:

Are you folks still of the belief a better ethernet cable truly helps the sound of Zeros (0s) and Ones (1s)? And, if so why? Any new updates to share as to what you are you hearing, comparatively? What does a poor quality design ethernet cable sound like compared to a really good one - can someone describe real differences?

@decooney I came to the conclusion a while ago that I would get my answers by trying and listening. It’s not so much the cable that brings in the improvements as it is components interaction within the ecosystem if your setup that includes but is not limited to RFI, EMI, crosstalk, etc. and how your streamer handles this. My purist audio cat 7 Ethernet cable results in more open, more detailed and more articulate sound than the cheap $3 amazon cable, or $35 amazon linkup cable, or Supra cat 8. The other cables work just fine. No cut outs, no issues at all. They just don’t sound as good. If you were to compare these cables on the computer I guarantee you would not notice any difference and your upload or download will be just fine.
I have not tried everything under the sun but I tried enough to know they’re different. I recommend you try and hear it for yourself. .

@audphile1 ...but I tried enough to know they’re different. I recommend you try and hear it for yourself.

Will do. Might as well, and its low cost enough too. What’s funny is I’ve completely gone up/down the stack, multiple times, and all other cables too, ridiculously so. And, yet, the ONE thing I never did much more with was to attempt to upgrade my Ethernet cable to my streamer beyond a $15 hospital level grade cable. I won’t go crazy, but might give it the next cost level [or two-up] a try. What the heck, will try it. :). Is there a 2m Black color Ethernet cable under $100 that you guys really like?

@decooney 2m black cable under $100 that would be a step up from cheap? Not that I can think of. And I wouldn’t bother. Don’t take small steps as they don’t yield the results you’re looking for. Treat Ethernet cable as you would a digital cable.
Purist in 2m should be under $400 new. I think it’s very good for the money. I compared it to Supra with stock ends and Supra with telegartner terminations, linkup, regular cheap crap. Purist is head and shoulders above. What else is there in the under $500 category I don’t know, haven’t tried. Bought Purist and am pretty content with it.
Hope this helps.

I recently posted my thoughts on ethernet cables in another thread, but will add some detail here as well. I started using a generic ethernet cable thinking it made little or no difference between my Uptone Etherregen and DAC. I then bought a Cable Maters Cat8 from Amazon because I wanted a short <1M length. Surprisingly, I thought it sounded better. That inspired me to try a Supra Cat 8 as well as a DH Labs Reunion. I actually preferred the Cable Matters to these two. I also have tried several Audioquest ethernet cables and thought they were pretty good. Then I tried a $400 Sablon Ethernet 2020 and it was clearly the best of all that I tried. 

Not wanting to leave well enough alone, I started reading good things about Shunyata ethernet cables. I read a lot of forum posts and reviews and was convinced that the Shunyata Alpha Ethernet would provide a performance lift. At the time I paid $1000 for it new (it is currently $1200) and sold my Sablon. The Alpha was okay going from my Sonore OM to my Bricasti but it wasn't better than my Sablon. It was very relaxed and maybe had a slightly deeper soundstage, but over a few months, I found myself less engaged by the music and listening to my system less.  I sold the Alpha and purchased another Sablon. Bingo! Putting it back in made my system sound more dynamic, detailed and "live". 

You don't need to spend massive amounts of money to get good sounding digital cables, but they do sound different. I can respect posts where people have tried different cables and report no difference. That is useful information and every system is different. I have tried different power cables and noticed only slight differences, but that doesn't mean I discount them making a bigger difference in other people's systems. Trust your ears and try experimenting yourself. If you hear differences, then you can explore trying more costly options.