The Shunyata Research OMEGA-X-Ethernet Cable

So not to derail, but what about other digital cables then?   Spdif, AES, USB?   I have not deep dived the Ethernet cable rabbit hole, so I can't speak to that.  I use Supra 8 in my studio because it was recommended to be a solid cable and wasn't insanely expensive.  And I use a BJ cable in my other system.  But I have noticed a pretty massive difference between different spdif and USB cables.  Many people argue the same things for those - that it's all 1s and 0s it can't matter.  Clearly it does though as a kimber d60 clearly outperforms the BJC I had before.  And each tier of Shunyata USB gave me improvements from my PC to my RME interface.  All of this is to say, just listen to your system and use your ears.  Swap cables back and forth several times.  Make note of what you're hearing and then see if it's repeatable. 

Also side thought - make sure all power cables are away from other cabling because this actually makes a giant difference on a revealing system.  Just spent some time reorganizing my cables and it made a substantial difference on my secondary system!

Not only does the Omega X Ethernet cable in my system sound much better than any other Ethernet cable I have tried, but making changes up the chain make differences as well. I have google fiber to the house, but it converts to copper when I can get access to it. The ethernet cable that connects the modem to my fiber converter makes a difference as well. Follow this; the google fiber comes in the utility room. I connect an ethernet cable between the google box and my fiber converter. From my fiber converter I run fiber across the basement and into an audiophile switch. An Omega X cable runs from that switch to my streamer. I'm saying that not only does the Omega X cable sounds great/different from basic cable, I'm saying the first ethernet cable that runs between the google fiber box to the first fiber converter makes a sonic change. I don't understand it but it does.

Fiber transceivers make a difference as well. Try a set of cheap transceivers and then swap in a pair of single mode, duplex, Optospan transceivers and you will hear a difference. My friend says he understands that Corning fiber is preferred by many who have tried different brands. I had no problem believing that noise travels along an ethernet cable. This happens regardless of the ones and zeros traveling along the cable in an undisturbed manner, but the cable itself is passing noise to the streamer circuits. That said, I cannot understand how changes before a fiber run, or changes in transceivers can change sound, but I can hear it. I don't know If I can hear these changes in my Arcam/Klipsch system in my garage, but I can hear them in my big system. I'm in KC so anyone who wants to hear these changes please PM me and I can have you over for a listen.

4 years ago I was experimenting with fiberoptic bridges like Etheregen. I was adding clocks, cables and linear power supplies. Adding a fiberoptic bridge, an LPS and clocking into a switch in one box is what all these expensive audiophile switches do now and cost  3 to 10K. You can see my comments on these efforts years ago right here in Audiogon's forum history. 

Can I hear heads exploding? Do you have to understand how/why a cable made with Rhodesian dog poop (for example) sounds great to be able to enjoy its sound? Many of these vendors offer 30 day return programs. Give some of these technology tweaks a try.

@jrareform 

I wouldn't mind answering you question. Would you like me to?

Or I can leave it to someone else. At any rate, let's not get in to a pointless battle. You can take what I say at face value or choose to ignore it. Up to you. 

@frank009 yes I am curious what you think about various digital cables.  I have friends that believe no digital cable can make a difference.  As I said, I have almost no experience testing Ethernet cabling but have noticed a substantial difference with other cables.

@jrareform 

Thanks for your response and for being polite. 

Okay, so here’s what I know for sure. I’m not trying to sound like I "know it all" but alas, here’s what I can tell you: 

SPDIF -Cables are NOT all made equal. PMMA (is plastic) and has an in inferior light transmission pattern compared to glass fiber cables, which are more reflective as well. The glass fiber cables, able to transmit the light as precisely as possible alleviate time domain smearing from a digital to analog convertor’s digital stage, and furthermore, prevent gang errors in the analog output stage that happen between parts when inconsistencies are detected. We can measure this very easily in industry; for example, with extremely expensive and sensitive medical equipment. 

We have historically used these cables for demanding client demos and and in situations where even the smallest errors could be the difference between the company I worked for losing millions of dollars to a competitor if we didn’t edge them out.

Lifatec Glass Toslink Cables

In audio systems, they don’t necessarily "improve" the signal, but they allow you to pass it along truly unhampered. So the output going to you speakers will be as clean and optimal as possible. in addition, their cables are very smooth and flexible, not extremely dense and hard to work with, like some audiophile cables that place excessive strain on input jacks.

AES Cables - Go for cables that are branded as "Professional" as those have undergone extensive testing for reliability and performance with stress tests in real-world environments, or simulated environments that very closely mimic real-world use cases. I won’t tell you how much to spend, it’s up to you.

USB Cables - USB cables carry 5v and have a DATA and POWER line (individual wires) that may not be optimal in common, very cheap USB cables. Look for a high quality USB cable that is made for audio, and specifically its ability to reject noise contamination. Along with this, the common mode and differential mode noise that rides along a cable can potentially cause noise and degraded sound performance. 

Vet the manufacturer carefully for USB cables. It should be an engineering first approach, rather than an audiophile first - it will improve your system’s sound quality approach. Because you should focus on getting rid of problems the source, rather than after the fact. In addition, try to use the shortest possible USB cables (which is basically a standard printer cable in its most basic form) to connect your DAC to the computer. This will result in the lowest possible latency, even it’s not detectable, you still edge out for overall performance.

And... I would advise using clip on ferrite cores on the AES cable and the USB cable (one on each end, so you can clean up environmental noise at the source, rather than having it linger on). High frequency noise is practically everywhere in a modern building.

I hope this helps. Happy listening.