Ethernet Cables - what are you using and why?

Hi soix...

I've had the Bacch Lab Plug-in download since last August.  Do a search for the plug-in.  I'm Windows based here in Maine.

Sadly, the price has been bumped up to a serious price for many now.  It was under $300 last summer, doable for many music lovers having more moderate systems.  I'm hoping popularity or competition will pull the price back to a more universal reach.

I'm running Windows 10 with the Foobar Music Player.  Mike, my skillful Music Computer Tech, onboards the technical stuff for me, remotely.  I'm age 78 (next week) and we collaborate nicely with finely tuned DSP, to a 100th of a decibel.  Mike has longtime, deep experience, enough to have earlier applied crosstalk removal with results similar to the BACCH.  He defined my interest in the BACCH as a "no-brainer" decision.  

Here in my small-dedicated sound studio, the BACCH experience has been revelatory.  As a highly impassioned music lover now having experience with the BACCH over many sweet-spot hours, I would not be without it.  I find more minimalist, purely miked recordings respond best, large to small, from Mahler to solo vocals and instruments.  I posted some early findings in our GoN Forum found in my history.  Purity of tone "timber" is my most vital chase in recreated sound, where the BACCH continues to impress most, followed closely by a larger, more holographic, yet natural stage, maintaining lovely center fill.    

I've read of complaints that busily produced studio albums can sound different.  Well, who really knows their intent?  I find them more interesting.  Last I saw, there is a two-week free-trial of the BACCH Plug-in.  With a computer and some Tech assistance, worth the time.      Best, Pin      

I just received my BJC Ethernet cable, running from my router to my Aurender N150. Someone on this thread (or another) stated Ethernet cables with metal on their connectors (per Aurender) could cause distortion. My old CAT 8 had metal. With the move to BJC, my N150 sounds noticeably cleaner. Thank you!

Dude, just get some Cat6a from Monoprice. These folks recommending all these high priced snake oil ethernet cables are steering you wrong.

@carlsbad2

@tonywinga

+1 ….re: silver over copper…agreed gents!

@squared80

I have no doubt that you fail to generate an audio performance upgrade in YOUR system (emphasis added) with premium quality build Ethernet cable options …fine …carry on.
But you are patently dead wrong to engender that same misguided blanket bias as any gospel to the cohort of us with high-end resolution systems, who do enjoy that step-up in performance .that is not insignificant…full stop

@ghdprentice :+1

I agree with his posted experiences that the audio step-up improvements can be somewhat more subtle, than comparing comparatively crap and cheap build budget analogue and power cables to their premium build and step-up audio performance options,… but nevertheless, these Ethernet cable audio improvements are distinct.

Another vote for DH Labs Reunion.

.....I just purchased the Shunyata Omega Ethernet cable to go between my Accuphase DC / DP 1000 combination. I did listen to a few, including the Cardas ethernet cable which for $300 was not bad but not in the same league as the Cardas and this is in no way to say anything negative about the Cardas cable. I will comment here on when the cable comes in and I get it broken in. I didn't have a chance to listen to the DH Labs ethernet cable but just a note that DH Labs ethernet cable came up in several conversations as being very good.   

.... including the Cardas ethernet cable which for $300 was not bad but not in the same league as the Shunyata and this is in no way to say anything negative about the Cardas cable.

😉

…..thank you catching that oversight and my error . 

…..thank you catching that oversight and my error . 

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I figured the best approach was to just start trying different cables. To that end I started with stuff I could get my hands on locally: a roughly $50 Pangea model, then a $350 Cardas Clear, then a $650 Audioquest Vodka, and finally an Audioquest Diamond (dealer demo for $1200, normally $1999).

Before this I had been using a Wireworld Starlight 8 which I think was around $320. It seems that in my system, each one of these cables makes a fairly obvious contribution to the overall sound. Roughly on the same level as changing analog interconnects or AC cables. I can’t say that will always apply to every setup but for me the impact is clear enough.

It doesn’t end up correlating to cost either. I think the Vodka works best, then the Cardas, then maybe the expensive Diamond. Despite being outclassed, the Pangea is an enjoyable cable that I might choose over the Wireworld depending on my mood.

My journey is not finished, I plan to order some other options that I can’t find locally. So far I’m interested in models from Fidata, Curious Cables, Pink Faun, and maybe a JCAT. Will come back and update my thoughts when I can.

After trying quite a few, landed with AQ Vodka Ethernet cable, and it is superb. I need 3M so AQ Diamond is out of the question price-wise.

Of the dozen or so I've tried Triode Wire labs Freedom ethernet is the one that almost makes me forget about trying anything else. 

I forgot to respond to the WHY part of your query. The Freedom is the most musically satisfying ethernet cable in my experience thus far. I've made some source changes to my system since buying it so may put my Omega Micro Ebony back in to hear how that sounds now. The Ebony was my favorite until trying the Freedom. The best sub $100 ethernet cable in my experience. To my ears more neutral than the Freedom.

@thomasok

Why 8.5 feet and not 8, 9 or any other length. Did you test different lengths to come to this or was it an arbitrary length you stumbled upon?

There are resonance and reflection points with digital (and power cable) lengths, more so than with analog signal cables. Knowing what those lengths are is the trick.

Fredrik Lejonklou tested a wide range of lengths and found 8.5 feet to be the most musical.  I only tested a few but found 8.5 feet more musical than 10 or 20 and also better than 6 feet.

@shxmd 

"Since not mentioned above I use Inakustik Referenz Ethernet loom.

Handmade in Germany."

How can possibly wire cables be hand made? annealing/twisting/stranding/extrusion/cabling need different machineries and multiple manufacturing steps.

They probably import ethernet cables from China and snake oil them by hand.

Not only this German company but most of them buy/import and resell cables. So don't be fooled and waste money. Try Amazon/Ebay. Easy to return with Amazon!