...and I have had the etherRegen and it made a minor improvement. The 3 nice switches I have used made a significant difference, as well as using a good LPS with the switch.
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.
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Indeed. I bought some very fancy boutique coax cables (used, fortunately) based on a YouTube rave. After feeling they were magical, I started noticing the screechiness on some favorite recordings. Out they came. Will sell them and stick to Belden and Canare. ;-) If the clock isn't an improvement, I'll send it to the friend who loaned me the LHY and the ER and see if it does anything for him. I can't afford to be a gearhead. Still have a dependent child (at my age!) And the most fun I've had in this hobby has been learning to build truly high-quality tube amps and preamps. Of course, that wasn't cheap either. ;-) |
@dogearedaudio sounds like a plan! as far as my system goes I’m content with it for the first time in a long time. I didn’t make a single change in my digital streaming front end in 8 months!!!! That’s an eternity dude! I kid you not. Well I did change a power cord on DAC - actually a cheaper power cable brought it all together. Sold the more expensive cord. |
@fastfreight thank you for the kind words! |
In the world of data centres it was a requirement to only use fully shielded twisted pair cable. Be this CAT5e or 6 or whatever. The Twisted pair cable always ran in it's own cable trays away from mains cabling. Any type approved twisted pair was suitable. The termination of the RJ45 connectors was important to make sure the connector didn't come loose. I must admit the patch panels always seamed to be a mess though. Still all fully shielded twisted pair. You could try setting the network connection to 100Mb duplex to cut down the noise. I've noticed improvements myself. |
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