2. cables
  3. 190161-23947

Ethernet cables

Long time audiophile here but, more of a rookie regarding streaming. My basic question is should I upgrade my ethernet cables and what price point would be reasonable for my application.

The streamer is in a secondary system and is used only for casual listening. The streamer is hardwired to the system. At this point I do not have a streamer in the main system.

Below is a list of the gear in system 2.

The streamer is a Node 2i with the power supply upgrade from LHY (a DIY kit) sourced from Beatechnik out of Singapore. Not using the internal DAC but, feeding the digital signal to an outboard DAC.

DAC - Luxman DA-06

Preamp -  Simaudio P5.3

Amp - McCormack DNA-500 (yes, way overkill power wise for the system but, I love the very relaxed sound of this amp)

Speakers - Dynaudio Contour 30i

Cables - Primarily Transparent Ultra mm2 generation.

Internet is from my cable provider via coax cable.

There are three short cat 6 ethernet cables (5'). One going from the modem to the router, one from the router to the wall connection for a 100 foot cat 7 run in the attic and one at the system end wall connection to the Node. The short cables are Amazon Basics cat 6. The 100 foot cat 7 was sourced from Amazon with one of those never heard of names - Snanshi which, seems to be fairly decent but, I wouldn't really know.

So, do I upgrade the Amazon Basics cables and if so, what would be a reasonable choice?

 

 

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macg19
962 posts
 

@mclinnguy Thanks for the reminder about Uptone - I think last time I looked they were not shipping.

@tksteingraber Thanks, will check out the thread and take a look at Snubway. I have a Purify and a SDFB although it really belongs with your amp. I had it converted for my DAC because my current integrated has an internal fuse and no specs in the manual. Mark is great.

I don’t think Snubway will address my primary mains concern though which I’m pretty sure is 60Hz noise. (I’ve got a lot plugged into a single 20 amp duplex and no easy way to add a dedicated circuit - rented house).

I hear a faint hum from my DAC and onboard MC phono module (both single ended / RCA only). Zero hum from my GoldNote phono using the balanced output but it died and I’m waiting on its replacement from the distributor.

 

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
638 posts
 

@macg19 60 Hz is not in Snubway’s range.  (200-600 Hz) I would still  give Snubway a try it can help in other ways.  Main Stream is a new plug shipping in July and it addresses lower Hz 20Hz+ line noise. Both are reasonably priced and returnable. 

macg19
962 posts
 

👍 @tksteingraber Is Main Stream also from Verafi/Mark?

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
638 posts
 

@macg19 yes and they are designed to work together to eliminate different types of noise.  Preorders are being taken on Mark’s Verafi site now.

agisthos
507 posts
 

@jmeyers I appreciated you posting your experiences with the Shunyata Ethernet cable. Very interesting read. I just have not taken the chance to buy an Ethernet cable at that price level.

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