Is an I2S cable a Cat 5, 6 or 7 Ethernet cable, or are they two different beasts?

I2S is the protocol used within a DAC for moving data from point to point.  There are some devices that can transmit data in this form and DACs that will accept it in that form.  Doing so avoids two steps of data conversion and can lead to better sound.  PS Audio and Wyred 4 Sound are a couple of manufacturers that come to mind that use this.  For both of those manufacturers they use a standard HDMI cable to transmit the data.  CAT 5/6/7 are all Ethernet data cables for transmission of data between computers, completely different from I2S.

But of course you can use  CAT 5/6/7 cables for I2S connection 
Alan

Ahendler, if the manufacturer uses an RJ45 connector for outputting/inputting their I2S data, then yes you can use a CAT 5/6/7 cable. Otherwise, no you can't, the connectors are incompatible.  Could you use CAT 5/6/7 wire with an HDMI connector?  Maybe.  CAT 5/6/7 has 8 conducting wires, and HDMI cable has 19, but when used in the I2S application I don't think they use anywhere near 19 wires to transmit the data.  Not sure why someone would do this, but it could be done.

I2S uses 2 wires for data and 2 wires for power. My Audio-GD Master 7 can come with I2S using HDMI connectors or J45. The problem with a HDMI cable is it has to be wire in a certain way to work with the dac. The J45 connector does not have that problem.
Alan