I haven't dabbled in boutique ethernet cables but I will say you can get a nicer than standard cable with better shielding, metal connectors, and faster transmission for very little money. That's the route I went with a upgraded Cat8 cable. I won't claim it improved sound but I was chasing noise issues and wanted to better shielding.
Quality of digital cable from from source to DAC?
Hoping just to gain some understanding.
With respect to the transfer of digital data via metal cable in the audio spectrum, the seeming common thought I’ve managed to discern thus far is that while there is likely no apparent SQ differences to be gained in upgrading the quality of my Cat 6 ethernet cable that link my router (ATT Optical feeding an Apple Airport Extreme) to my streamer (50’ run of off the shelf Cat 6 feeding a Lumin D1), there seems to be considerable reviews claiming significant SQ improvements to be had in utilizing ‘higher quality’ digital cables linking the source (streamer or CD transport) to a DAC (Qutest). Why would this be? Is the digital data file going from the router to the streamer somehow different, or more suspect to error, than the digital data file going from the streamer to the DAC?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated, even if nothing more than passing a long a related link.
Thanks,
Todd
With respect to the transfer of digital data via metal cable in the audio spectrum, the seeming common thought I’ve managed to discern thus far is that while there is likely no apparent SQ differences to be gained in upgrading the quality of my Cat 6 ethernet cable that link my router (ATT Optical feeding an Apple Airport Extreme) to my streamer (50’ run of off the shelf Cat 6 feeding a Lumin D1), there seems to be considerable reviews claiming significant SQ improvements to be had in utilizing ‘higher quality’ digital cables linking the source (streamer or CD transport) to a DAC (Qutest). Why would this be? Is the digital data file going from the router to the streamer somehow different, or more suspect to error, than the digital data file going from the streamer to the DAC?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated, even if nothing more than passing a long a related link.
Thanks,
Todd
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- 18 posts total
mike_in_nc There is considerable divergence of opinion on the value of boutique cables when used for USB or Ethernet transmission. Some think they are vital, others find that the extra expense contributes little or nothing. So, I would expect the answers you receive to reflect that divergence. >>>>You might be able to make the exact same argument for almost any debate regarding cables or power cords these days. But you have to ask yourself, why would someone like AudioQuest go through all the trouble of controlling directionality of their Ethernet cables and digital cables if the signal being transmitted was 1s and 0s? You have to ask yourself why would anyone do that? 😬 If it is some wild marketing ploy here must be easier marketing ploys. |
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Lots of opinions on this subject but, as with any other cable debate, the only conclusion that matters is yours, based on what you hear in your own system. Even more than with other analog cables, opinions regarding the relative quality of different RJ-45 cables seems to be a crapshoot. The range covers those who believe there is absolutely no difference in digital cables (i.e., the zeros and ones crowd), those who hear differences but not necessarily sound quality "improvements" to the level that justify spending a lot of money on RJ-45 cables, and those who are all-in on the value of expensive, purpose-built (i.e., boutique) Ethernet cables. Nobody here can make your decisions for you and what you read could be (and often is) very different than what you will hear in your own system. The articles and reviews I have read support a pretty wide range of solutions, including:
http://www.audiodrom.net/en/special-edition-reviews/104-ethernet-rj-45-cables-shootout https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/132474-throw-away-your-ethernet-cables-and-audition-some-cat8-ethernet-cables/ https://audiobacon.net/2017/05/31/supra-cat8-ethernet-cable-review-an-amazing-spotify-and-tidal-experience/ https://www.audiostream.com/content/wireworld-starlight-cat8-ethernet-cable https://audiobacon.net/2017/03/16/sotm-dcbl-cat7-review/ https://audiobacon.net/2019/12/06/jcats-1100-ethernet-cable-now-with-gold-connectors/ https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2015/07/24/audioquest-diamond-vodka-and-cinnamon-ethernet-cables/ http://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/audioquest-ethernet-cables-pt2-ethernet-cable https://arstechnica.com/staff/2015/02/to-the-audiophile-this-10000-ethernet-cable-apparently-makes-sense/ |
- 18 posts total