ETHERNET CABLES

Jabbaman, can you explain how come non-audio data is transferred over a normal cat6 cable without error, but only the audio bits and bytes get corrupted?

I have 2, 25 foot runs could I need something special  ?

I am using Alpha Core FMC's with Linear Power Supplies.  I ditched the wall wart power supplies.  It seems to work very well for me but I have no idea how well these FMC units are built inside.  Something new for my stereo related neurosis to worry over.  My cousin, who has a more modest digital set up experienced a similar improvement in sound using FMC's with linear power supplies.

I ditched my ISP's modem and bought my own expensive modem.  Didn't make a difference in the sound.  Well, not every idea works out.  At least I did not buy a linear power supply for my modem- not yet anyway...

I agree with the shielded ethernet cables and I also found that a good USB cable makes a difference.  

Since the issue of 0 or 1 for digital keeps coming up, I thought I would add some comments from my own experience and somewhat limited knowledge. I am not a Electrical Engineer or a Digital Engineer, but I am a technician and have been involved with electronics since the start of the digital evolution. If you want more clarification of that, it means from discrete transistor circuits to simple chips to todays integrated multi function chips.

So a few basics, all digital data is moved in small chunks typically called words. Each word can and usually has a parity bit which is basically an odd even check to make sure no bits are lost. So if the word passes the number 5 but it should have been 6 that can be detected and corrected. But, if the word passes 4 and it should have been 6 that is not detected. Of course that assumes the parity bit is read correctly, which may or may not be true. The next level up in making sure the digital information is correct comes at the block level (group of words; the size of which is specified by a framing protocol)

As far as Speed rating goes I agree with the others here stating anything CAT5e and above is fine, BUT if you look at all of the factors that Audiophiles CALM cause poorer sound quality or interference, I must suggest the Better shielding, and that means CAT 6, 7, or better, is a must. That is what those higher ratings are about shielding and blocking interference.