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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
37 posts
 

@simonb Shielded Ethernet cable requires a grounded jack to function to spec. I don’t think most audio devices use a grounded jack. Without proper grounding, STP cable can actually introduce more interference. In UTP cable the wire pairs are twisted to help reduce RFI. So it’s not as prone to interference as one might assume. 

deer_creek_audio's avatar
deer_creek_audio
108 posts
 

Discussions about digital transport and what effects it can have on audio performance span a wide range. These topics often include:

  1. Cable quality
  2. Clock source, synchronous vs. asynchronous 
  3. Transport quality
  4. Network packet resends (TCP)
  5. EMI,shielding

All of these things contribute to the uncertainties associated with digital transmission.

Please consider what happens inside the end device, for instance a DAC.  Most modern high fidelity DSP processors or DACs have a receiver chip that takes care of the above issues rendering them inconsequential.

The xCORE-200 microcontrollers have configurable I/O ports that include hardware support for buffering incoming bit streams.

Input port processors serialize incoming data, buffer and fix it before going on the i2s bus. This way the data buffer handles incoming data streams without requiring immediate intervention from the processor for every single bit. In this way the potential errors mentioned above are eliminated and the data is applied jitter and error free onto the i2s bus before going to the DAC

A great example is the XMOS xCORE-200 which is used in many miniDSP products

 

squared80's avatar
squared80
317 posts
 

Whoever told you to spend $1k should be sent to prison. Come on, man. Be better than that. Get some standard Cat6A and move on with your life. $1k? Seriously?

cleeds
6,543 posts
 

squared80

Whoever told you to spend $1k should be sent to prison ...

You'd need a conviction first, right? What would you consider a reasonable charge? How would you show guilt? 

rsf507
2,576 posts
 

I’ve listened to an AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet and seemed flat and lifeless then the Audiomica Artoc that brought life to the music. Wouldn’t believe ethernet cables have such musicality. Unfortunately couldn’t afford the Artoc so use their Arago. Point is that ethernet cables sound different and it’s for you to decide their worth.

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