ETHERNET CABLES

@juanmanuelfangioii  yep, calling people who actually know things names, burning them on stakes, and so on, is a ignorant people have done as long as mankind has been around. Nothing has changed. 
 

Summary of this thread: unless you believe in magic cables, you are going to be personally attacked. Facts and knowledge does not matter at all. Keep wasting your money and time.

@fredrik222 did not call you a name nor did I burn you on a steak. Quite the drama queen.

I said use what you like and that you have an empty head.

Now I will call you a name, Fred, gfys. 

@juanmanuelfangioii  yep. Again, you have no facts, knowledge, or relevant experience. And you certainly do not want to learn. It is pretty sad that this is where you fanatics want to take this forum every time, instead of actually discussing real potential issues.

He’s one of Amir’s minions who was sent here on a special mission to stupify us all but failed miserably. He just couldn’t find his way back. Thanks for providing him the right coordinates @juanmanuelfangioii 

@fredrik222 nothing to learn from you that I can not learn from my IT People. BTW I use a Blue Jeans Cat 6 Ethernet cable.

Now I will call you a name again Fred, gfys and Amir if he is into that. 

Another ASR Troll…🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌🧌

@audphile1 i didn’t set out to “stupify” anyone, what I wanted to accomplish, which I have, is to direct people away from the path to become like you, meaning, no knowledge and all conviction. All of you fanatics fall into this category. If you actually want to move out crumbled paper with peanut butter and sand land and into real word, let me know.

not likely to happen, but at least someone will read and see how you behave with name calling and refusal to argue on facts, and realize that is not where the crowd they should join. Others I am sure will flock to you.

What are you still doing here? Weren’t you told to gfys and Amir?

@audphile1 he is that kid who keeps sticking his hand on the hot stove.  But hey every forum needs a blow hard  Ethernet cable expert, right?

Oh and I never called you any names. Not agreeing with your narrative and what you had “set to accomplish “ here doesn’t translate to name calling. You actually just don’t know what you don’t know and you’re not willing to accept that. Pretty simple.

Freddy

You've said your piece; stated your opinions numerous times. And been 'holier than thou,' in your attacks.

Are you trying to save me? I never asked you to. You are on the other side of the tracks, and your opinions are distasteful as is your arrogance. 

What happens now? Does your vitriol diminish? Or is this your soap box? A crusade to save us? I neither need you nor want you.

A better man would bow out, having stated their truths...

Finally. Can now breathe a sigh of relief...

Yes, I never expected this thread to be so active and want to thank everyone for their input.  I did not expect sticks and stones to be thrown at each nor that there would be a  comparison between NJ and NY pizza!

In any case, my take is that upgrading an ethernet cord is not a big expense and if you feel it sounds better, that is great, however if there is no difference you have not wasted much money. It is not like buying high dollar interconnects or power cords.

The bottom line is that we are all looking for tweaks to improve our systems and going from a $10 cord to a $200 version is not that big of a deal.

The main objective is to keep enjoying the music!

Sam

@samgar2 that’s right. So when are you trying an upgraded cable?

@audphile1 

You beat me to it, I was just thinking of asking OP what did he end up trying? 

This week I am going to order a Blue Jean 6A to replace my 35 foot length of Insignia cable purchased from Best Buy about 5 years. My exposure will be about $70.00. No big deal in the scheme of things considering the value of my current system.

@samgar2 

As a suggestion, I would look into a mesh network to eliminate the 35ft cord. You will have much more flexibility to play with better and shorter Ethernet cord and passive filters from the ‘pod’ located near your streaming device. IME, this will yield much larger improvement over a Blue Jean 6A Ethernet cable. As a experiment, I have compared a 80ft Supra Cat 8 cable direct from my router and streaming device vs mesh network + 1.0M Ethernet cable + filter and heard much larger improvements in SQ. 

Are you currently using any passive filters prior to your streaming device? 

Thanks for the suggestion. Can you please explain what a mesh network is and how it would be set up. Also where would I buy that device. Currently I am not using any filters. My 35 ft ethernet cord comes off my Verizon router and goes directly to my Innuos Zenith Mark 3 streaming device. Any suggestions are appreciated. 

Thanks,

Sam

Here's a quote from an article on Mesh:

There are some benefits to a wired installation. Any wireless form of communication is susceptible to speed slowdowns due to obstacles like walls, floors, doors, and building material; however, some are affected more than others. When using cables, you bypass all obstacles, resulting in faster speeds throughout the entire home.

What is a Mesh Network and How Does it Work?

@dpop

Thanks for posting the article.

@samgar2

I would check out Amazon for mesh system, you need atleast two pods. One act as a router directly hardwired into your Verizon router and other pod as satellite which is going to sit next to your Zenith. I have the exact setup except I’m still using apple routers.

As far filter goes, check out Network Acoustics, they make two passive filters namely Muon and ENO which goes between your router and Zenith. Read up on threads started by @grannyring on Muon and ENO. I’ve had ENO in my system and loved it. My system is listed in virtual system, just click on my username and click on Digital. Also check out posts by @audphile1 and his system for insight on ENO. While not cheap, it’s worth every penny and comes with 30 days money back guarantee, in case you don’t find it worthwhile. I recommend you buy ENO package which comes with amazing Ethernet cable on both ends. 

Thanks so much for the information.

Sam

@samgar2 

Sam, it just dawn on me. Can you not move your Verizon Fios router near Zenith and avoid buying mesh wifi system? Unlike conventional routers from AT&T that are typically ‘chained’ to wall phone line or cable outlet, Verizon Fios is truly a wireless router which should have two RJ45 outputs for devices that need wired connectivity. 

Hello Lalitk:

Thanks for getting back to me. My Verizon Fios router is located in my living room  of my house right next to my television. There is a Verizon extender located right above on the second floor which feeds my computer. My audio system is located in a Florida room which is off the living room. Currently I have a 35 foot eithernet cable coming off the router and going to my Innuos. If I move the router next to my audio system, I will have to use a longer ethernet cable to connect the TV and I am not sure if the extender on the above floor will work. Based on this, do you think moving the router close to Innuos is a good idea?

Thanks,

Sam

@samgar2 

Sam, the only way to find out if the extender above your floor will work or not is by relocating the VFios near Zenith. And run the existing 35ft back to your TV from VFios. To me, the shorter high quality ethernet cable + filter should yield a better improvement than a shorter run to your TV from VFios. All of this ofcourse contingent upon if your extender near computer remains effective. 

@samgar2 

What is a mesh network is and how is it set up. 

Perhaps the younger cousin of a mesh network is a wifi extender. That was my plan to do this, as I was not able to run ethernet to my system. After research, I bought a TP-link WiFi Range Extender AC2600 RE650. This has an ethernet out, so I could easily connect to my streamer.

Then I found out that you can use a phone cable for ethernet, so got my electrician to change the plugs. That was a problem solved.

I still use the extender in a bedroom, with a second system.

@samgar2 Verizon Fios routers are crap. The range is extremely poor. I never tried their extenders but I can tell you based on your description of your current setup, something like Amazon EERO would be a game changer and not just for streaming. 
I’m using the 3 EERO setup and have one EERO access point right by my system in the basement. The main router (Optimum) is upstairs with a gateway EERO wired to it. I get between 225-325mbps out of the basement EERO access point. That is more than enough. 
There are other options like Google, tp-link, etc. Pick one.
Then you would only need 1-1.5m length ethernet cable for your stereo system which reduces your streaming ethernet cable cost and opens up better cable choices.

@jerrybj 

Then I found out that you can use a phone cable for ethernet, so got my electrician to change the plugs. That was a problem solved.

Wait, what?! Please explain.

Extended the house in 2009, and had a telephone line put through to the lounge. Most probably Cat 5 cable. Phone is no longer...

Was easy for the electrician change the wall outlet from phone to ethernet cable.

@jerrybj 

Thanks for clarifying. Glad to hear it wasn't old 4-cond phone cable from 40 years ago.

@painter24

I've used a similar kit by TP Link between my router feed and Node N130.

The best improvement I achieved with my Node 130 was to replace the AC power board with a DC power board and a 5v iFi audio iPower X Low Noise Power Supply.
 

Bluesound Node 2021 (gen.3) upgrade – low noise PSU interface

I had pops and noises when switching digital sources.   I removed the CAT 8 between Aurender and DAC , problem solved.  Also set up the TP Link rg45 to Optical converters and system is free of pops and noise when switching. 

Someone mentioned CAT 8 is bad for audio a while back.   Apparently the metal shield of the connector can cause problems with audio gear on the network

@oddiofyl 

I had pops and noises when switching digital sources.   I removed the CAT 8 between Aurender and DAC , problem solved

How was your streamer connected to your dac using ethernet cable?

It was the Ethernet from the switch to the Aurender.    Someone mentioned a while back that CAT 8 could cause issues and I said yeah right.  I took it out and the annoying pop when switching digital inputs was reduced greatly to a "tick"    

@oddiofyl now the connection makes more sense. I doubt it was the ethernet cable.
Some DACs will pop. My bryston dac popped every time it was about to start playing DSD file. 

@oddiofyl 
Some DACs produce mechanical clicks (pops) when changing sample rates or when you pause / resume stream. This is normal, I don’t think it has anything to do with Ethernet cable or Aurender streamer. 

Yeah, its totally fine.   Just a little tick 

Interesting.  I don’t know what to think.

@audphile1 my narrative is how Ethernet works, verifiably so, with numerous links posted to give you more information, including from IEEE, not crumbles paper with peanut butter and sand like you stated Ethernet works. And you certainly called names.

@jerrybj here is where you go wrong, every time. I don’t post my opinions, I post how Ethernet actually works. You, on other hand, post opinions and anecdotes. There is a massive difference, and that you think they are same is showing true arrogance, and ignorance. Not trying to save you, you cannot be saved, too arrogant, but like I have said, the goal is to stop people from becoming another you. When people see facts posted, supported by additional information from IEEE and other organizations involved in the development of Ethernet, compared to subjective posts that when questioned are met with personal attacks, normal people should say “holy ****, maybe just sticking with the facts is the best approach”. That is the goal, prevent more jerrybj’s from being developed.

@lalitk et al

This 

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/network-acoustics-muon-streaming-system/

I may have missed this skipping the fibre comments.

SUPRA Cat 8

@zappas I have a 15m and a 20m run.   I just bought and ran Supra Cat 8.  It replaced  cheap wire.  

Not cheap but not horrible at around $200 and $250.   Make sure you get the 

real Supra stuff.   It sounds better.  No doubt.  

Ok I converted the Ethernet leg of my network that feeds my node (modded with linear power supply) to fiber from the router to 15 ft before the node with fiber and back to Ethernet just before the node, added a wireworld starlight eight silver Ethernet cable from the fiber converter to the node. This is fed by a Qnap nas on the other end of the house connected with another wireworld Ethernet cable to the network. I’m beyond myself with the change in sound to my system. Ultra quiet, very detailed, smooth and the only way I can describe it as analog like as it equals my turntable with koetsu rosewood signature. I honestly didn’t think it would make that much of a difference but thought with such a small investment about $65 for the fiber converters on Amazon, a $10 fiber cable and the used wireworld Ethernet cables I bought on used cables .com. @juanmanuelfangioii i kinda followed your experience on this. Highly recommended!

@dinov Thank you for the shout out and I am glad you are hearing the value.

Enjoy the music!

@juanmanuelfangioii @dinov 

It's satisfying when reasonable advice from personal experience works out positively. 

Sure is @jerrybj I have gotten a lot of great advice here and at WBF. Also some real bad advice here so proceed with caution.  

I would like to add my comments.

I am also using a EtherRegen. But I have the ethernet cable running from my modem to the EtherRegen,

From the EtherRegen I am then using fiber cable to my Lumin X1 which accepts fiber directly.

From the modem I was using a cat 6 cable, but recently switched to cat 8 and you know what? I did hear an improvement. It provided a more solid soundstage. No doubt about it.

So, I just ordered a WW Platinum 8 cat cable, so I’ll see where this leads.

ozzy

I just ordered a Chinese fake Odin Gold cat 8 cable ($35 shipped). 😎

Will report back. Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

Last couple weeks have a) made a fiber connection to my DAC (Weiss 501); and b) added a Shunyata Delta Ethernet cable to the mix. Using Roon.

Results:

Fiber connection bought off Amazon plus a IFI power supply instantaneously reduced digital glare and made the music more organic. Obvious difference. Investment: $200

Ethernet cable: Provides greater clarity and separation, but in a much more subtle way. Definitely diminishing returns department. Investment: $850 new (I got used for less).

Conclusion (for me): the front end feeding my digital system definitely makes a difference. Fiber is a no brainer; high end Ethernet may not be worth the price.

@w123ale Thanks for sharing.