ETHERNET CABLES

@soix let us know your thoughts about wireworld starlight 8

@audphile1 +1 on this thread going south, too bad, I felt I was learning as much as the original poster 

I like silver plated for digital. Lots of choices. The "CaT" numbers don’t mean much for audio. AQ cinnamon or similar works for me.

PS  You have to be careful dealing with traditional network professionals.  they deal with different measures of success than audiophiles do.

@soix  I have tried “audiophile” Ethernet cables, I have tried UpTone’s Etherregen, and I have not heard any difference. Normally for my system I have Cat6A in the wall, and Cat6A from the wall to my NAD M50.2, but due to a renovation project, I am actually using wireless right now. 
 

the point here is that there is no theoretical possible improvement, there is no measurable improvement, and yet some people hear a difference, but others doesn’t. To me, this then clearly lies with listener, not the cable or switch. And if people want to spend thousands on dollars on Ethernet “improvement”, that’s up to them, it is a hobby, do what you like and makes you happy, but don’t argue that it is a night and day difference for everyone, reduces noise, and that it cleans up the stream from Qobuz or some other platform, because it doesn’t.

ethernet cables are unlike any other cable, digital or otherwise, in your system. 

@nonoise I don’t know to laugh out loud or cry at your level of ignorance, but first, I am not trying to offend anyone.

Second, what happened with your analogy with cable tv vs Blu-ray? Facts didn’t line up with your world view?

cables do make a difference, to a point, however, for Ethernet, a base cable provides adequate performance for all the protocols above, and there are many, to function properly. And that is what matters. The whole stack of protocols include numerous error detection and correction mechanisms, Ethernet specifically is balanced and includes common mode noise rejection. I get it, when you don’t understand any of it, it is easy to just throw money at it, and then tell yourself it made a difference. 
 

I have of course tried it, and products like Etherregen, and there is no theoretical or practical difference in sound.