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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
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.

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
295 posts
 

I thought some might be interested in an update on my ethernet adventure.  The Afterdark Queen clock and Keces power supply have been in place for over a week now.  The LPS eliminates a "halo" around the sound of the EtherRegen compared to the stock switching supply, and the Afterdark clock adds an extra level of transparency.  Removing them all and just connecting the streamer to the Mac Mini server via an ethernet bridge isn't at all bad, but with them in place there's a more direct window into the recording and the performers.  It's not a huge difference, but it does have the effect of making everything I play more engaging and musical.  I can only say I've been rotating through lots of old friends and new recordings with equal pleasure.

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
354 posts
 

There are many solutions to covering the 12 feet but spending large on an Ethernet cable has drawbacks, primarily it is a larger antennae for EMI and RFI collection and introduction to your streamer.

A simple solution is using a basic 12 foot ethernet cable to a basic switch like the 8Switch with an LPS then a shorter high quality Ethernet cable with a filter like the Network Acoustics/SOtM/others.

A little more complex would be using an optical break like the EtherRegen with a LPS then a filtered cable in place of the switch.

A more complex would be and using a quality optical converter like an OpticalModule from the router then fiber to a switch that accepts fiber/SFP's , and then a short quality filtered Ethernet cable from the switch.

I use a SOtM filtered Ethernet cable from my router to an OpticalModule Deluxe (on an Uptone JS-4) then fiber to a NA Tempus then another SOtM filtered cable to my streamer.  It beats by a large margin previous set ups with one, two or three (clocked) switches daisy chained with fiber between one or more of the switches.

Despite the opinion that single-mode is superior, in my system the multi-mode SystemOptique is far better than the numerous single-mode SFP's and fibers I have tried.

Time to dig a bit deeper if you want to find the rabbit.

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