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Network cable rabbit hole

Hello,

 

I have fallen into a network cable rabbit hole…. Let me explain. 

I have found that Ethernet network cables make a big difference in my system. 

Curious, I considered the range of options between my Nagra Streamer and my WIFI Router 12’ away. 

 

I was curious about fiber, I got a cheap pair of T-link Ethernet to fiber converters and a fiber cable, it was interesting. Super clean, but super dry and a little shrill. Took it out right away… it took too much life away form the music… . 

 

Next I tried a regenerator. I tried one that was rated super well, about 1200$… and i spend the night auditioning this vs my $15 amazon network cable… and I could not tell the difference! I think the filtering and reclocking in my Nagra Streamer does the trick on its own perhaps? Regardless why, I couldn’t barely tell a difference between the with the regenerator and without. 

During this, the swap between a standard Ethernet and a $300 bronze dragon network cable was apparent. Again, pointing in the direction for my system that the Ethernet cable is a worthwhile upgrade. 

So… What do you all think of all this? 

Do you have a recommendation for a 12’ Network cable in the 1K range that is super open, wide stoundstage, but with fabulous tone and texture? 

 

Thanks,

r.

whyrichard
total111
92 posts
 

@audphile1 Define "highest" quality. I would argue that for this case -as somebody wrote above- a stiff patch cable (which is solid core) is highest quality and making it gold or anything else will NOT increase any relevant performance parameter in order to transfer ethernet signals.

I am both, objectivist but also a believer (litteraly). To find the balance in this hobby matters to me. I would agree that some things cannot be adequately described with our physics, but a lot can. Digital signals are pretty straightforward (and yes, they carry parasitic voltages potentially, but you will NEVER get rid of them with an expensive cable). DROP the cat8 cable and get a Etherregen witch does a lot to clean up the signal.

mggartner
39 posts
 

As I said, “Believe it or not…”

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,879 posts
 

@total111 you can listen to a stiff 🐈 8 cable. With EtherREGEN in the chain or without. Configure it however you want. Whatever sounds best to you is the right combination.
In my current setup I want highest possible quality cables I can afford, digital, analog and power. I spent time and effort tuning it and tested a good number of cables in the process. I do not wish to waste money on EtherREGEN, power supplies for it or external clocks. My components don’t need it. I don’t need it, and neither do I need you to tell me what works and what doesn’t. Because simply..,how the f do you know what’s best in my system? That’s a rhetorical question by the way…

yags1
87 posts
 

I guess someone should just get a faraday sleeve for their cable run and see how much noise make it  down the cable.

total111
92 posts
 

@mggartner etherregen is technically and logically an unmanaged switch. It uses however an internal flip-flop for isolation and reclocking. So in this regard it is unique but in no way I would call it a repeater.

@audphile1 

you said that your split cable (with a very expensive one ) and a switch you reduce Jitter. As a basic switch does not rely on its internal clock for any jitter relevant operations, I assumed, maybe wrongly, that you think a cable has such an effect. my bad!
However, normal TCP/IP traffic DOES NOT have any timing embedded. Some QoS or such, but not actual timings. Why do you think that a highly accurate flip-flop is questionable then?

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