ETHERNET CABLES

@cleeds :

Measurementalists enjoy no immunity to confirmation bias;

I disagree. Since the human and emotional factor is removed from the equation & decision making process (i.e. listening experience), then there is nothing to worry about. You would just look at the measurements, and go by what they say. Computers. What you hear does not matter, as what you hear is really what you want to hear anyways. It’s all in your mind. Just go by measurements. And you don’t have to do them yourself, use those available in the science internet. By removing the emotional aspect on your decision on audio, you have also eliminated the confirmation bias as well.

This makes the whole process of buying audio equipment and building very easy and time efficient. No need to spend years and decades to figure out what you like and enjoy (again, you hear what you want to hear, hearing means nothing). No need to spend money on tickets to audio shows, no need to visit audio stores. No need to waste time meeting audio friends and going to their house. None of that useless time consuming stuff. You just spend a few days reading stuff on science audio sites, and boom! you have yourself a system. With no confirmation bias whatsoever. No need to question how it sounds: because it measures great, it definitely sounds the best. Again, no confirmation bias, and not relying on such unreliable / archaic tools like your ears. And you save a lot of money, as the best measuring gear (therefore, best sounding) is typically very cheap.

I put a link of fiber optic cable between my router and my music server. $70 investment. Ok, I also added a pair of $85 linear power supplies to power the FMC’s. I figured no sense adding noise back in with cheap wall warts. It made a significant improvement in the sound of streaming music. Is it a figment of my imagination? My cousin did the same thing on his system and was shocked by the improvement it made.

I would hope that people would get past the, "it’s just 1’s and 0’s" and come up with an understanding as to why it works. Then more progress can be made. But no progress will happen until we all move past the denial stage.

My internet still comes in on a cable- 500 mbs.  My cousin has fiber coming up to his house.

This is the best value ethernet cable:

https://wireworldcable.com/collections/ethernet-cat8/products/starlight-cat8-ethernet-cable

If your system is more resolving go for the Platinum.  Audioquest Vodka and Diamond are highly regarded, but darker, depends on your system.

If you can't tell differences between ethernet cables it means your system is pretty much shiite or your hearing is knackered.

Is it a figment of my imagination?

Yes!!! And that is ok! Like stated numerous times, there is no theoretical or practical improvement. It is in your mind. And that is 100% ok.

I would hope that people would get past the, "it’s just 1’s and 0’s" and come up with an understanding as to why it works.

I do understand how it works, and that is why it just comes down to 1's and 0's! I have posted several links to really dig into this and dispel everything you can possibly think of. Ethernet is not USB or HDMI, there are layers and layers of error detection and correction, including the cable being balanced, and having common mode noise rejection built in to each receiver. 

It's not just 1s and 0s. That's a gross oversimplification to make it seem unchallengeable. It's an electrical signal approximating a 1 and a 0 and it had better do it right or it's messed up. 

Granted, this is represents what a USB cable has to deal with but it applies to all digital cables. The tactic of citing all the protocols and safeguards that ethernet uses to ensure proper and safe transmission have been similarly used for USB and HDMI defenders and it turned out they were wrong. I wonder if some detractors here were in that camp. Maybe they believe a variation of some kind of spooky action at a distance is at play here: that what is at one end is perfectly done at the other.

Minute amounts of noise that can find its way in will corrupt the signal. Now if you're slinging cable and want to transfer text, download legal files, or print your manifest to nail on a church door, then it's not that important because you're printing dead (static) junk. Music, which is always in motion, is a finer needle to thread.

All the best,
Nonoise