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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
85 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
85 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...

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,861 posts
 

@yags1 lol

Or daisy chain EtherREGEN units to keep reclocking the signal but be sure to use a stiff 🐈 8 in every link. Is the 🐈 stiff because you terminated it with an rj45 connector? Poor animal…

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,861 posts
 

@total111 chillax. Understand the context of the OP’s posts. And the approach I proposed that you completely misunderstood. No one is swearing to defend their bias. I have no bias. I have no idea what sounds best to you in your system. I know what sounds best to me in mine. That’s all. No bias. No BS. I asked if the OP was willing to experiment with what I proposed. Again I didn’t sell this idea as the bible. Cool?

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
295 posts
 

I tried a cheap fiber optic setup but didn’t like it.  Maybe you have to spend more money.

A friend sent me a LHY network switch to try, and I could hear a difference but again didn’t like what it did.  He also sent me an EtherRegen, and I liked that--a lot!  I found a used one for sale and I like what it does for my IanCanada streamer, even with the stock power supply.  Soundstage, imaging, background noise all much nicer and the sound has a more analog feel.  Tomorrow I’m receiving a used Afterdark clock and LPS.  I’m interested to see what that does.

Alpha-audio.net has a review of stock network switches.  I bought the Netgear and it’s a small but noticeable improvement over what I was using.

https://www.alpha-audio.net/review/a-very-deep-dive-into-network-switches-listening-and-measuring/

I haven’t fussed with ethernet cables yet but I guess that’s next. ;-)

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