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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
mggartner
39 posts
 

As I said, “Believe it or not…”

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,871 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
89 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?

total111
89 posts
 

haha, now it gets religious when people start swearing and defending their bias ;-)

stay cool, I dont have all the answers, I just have good questions for which you did not provide any conclusive answers. I guess I keep searching and asking...

 

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