Audio Grade Ethernet Cable


I've been thinking about getting a DH Labs ethernet cable. My thought is to get my crappy router as close to my Bryston BDP 3 as possible, so that the cable is only 0.5 meters. I do have a TeraDak LPS connected to the router. Is this a waste of time and money? I know the cable is just a couple hundred dollars but I don't want to spend that much just to realize again that my local files will always be preferable.

goofyfoot

@cleeds You're correct on that everything needs to be addressed. Streamers are quite distinct from networks, what they are fed is critical. Saying that networks don't matter is akin to saying what's upstream from any interface is not important. The entire streaming chain is important, and I believe it should be treated holistically. Filters and such are all just band aids, not saying they can't be effective, just that you can never get back what you lost upstream. If the river is polluted you must find the source of that pollution and treat it accordingly. 

 

Ask yourself why there are so many audiophile network devices out in marketplace. Some will claim snake oil, others laud these devices claiming to hear improvements in sound quality. Noise is only one issue bringing about contentiousness, we could add timing as well. Clocking is another area being addressed these days. Some write off streaming technological advancements as snake oil, all these devices couldn't possibly affect packets of digital data. But then one has to ask themselves, is streaming sound quality continually improving?  My answer is yes.

... Ask yourself why there are so many audiophile network devices out in marketplace. Some will claim snake oil ...

What I ask is this:

What is the advantage of locating your network components physically close to your audio system?

Part of the problem is that many people have very poorly configured networks. Many still use their ISP’s modem and router. Many cram these low-quality devices into their equipment rack, or place them nearby. So they are looking for ways to remedy the noise that results, when they might get equal or better results by simply relocating their network equipment. Or, as others have noted, by simply upgrading the streamer.

Here what I have done, not sure if I can improve without significant cost?

COX router, WiFi disabled, connected to separate switch and router. 20ft blue jeans cat 6 to stack audio smoothlan, then 1.5 m DH Labs Ethernet to streamer and DH labs USB to DAC.

All audio equipment except amp plugged into Equi=Core 20 amp balanced power supply.

Home wifi has 2 access points, both about as far from the listening room as they can be.

@ghdprentice I appreciate your input but don't believe the Aurender 200 to be a better sounding streamer than what I have. I'm not sure why you believe the Bryston to be an inferior product. I looked into this many years ago and spoke to my local dealer who carries both Aurender and Bryston.