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High End Ethernet Cables ....Real Deal or Snake Oil

Digital streaming and network-based storage systems are now mainstream. I have notice more and more cable companies are coming out with 'fancy' Ethernet cables ranging from $25-$2500. 

Purist Audio, Cardas, Chord, Wireworld and Stealth Audio to name a few.  I am assuming, AudioQuest is probably the first manufacturer to recognized the potential for a fancy Ethernet cable and started this trend (sorry no offense to anyone). 

Let's for a moment assume that there is a audible difference in sound quality when streaming music files from a NAS or intranet to a server. Ethernet is an error corrected transmission protocol, it is going to be bit perfect. Are these fancy cables banking on the same principles of other digital (SPDIF/XLR) cables ~ a well made cable reduces the margin of errors resulting in less requests for re-sends, and if there are less errors and subsequent re-sends, perhaps this higher performance results in less noise, fewer dropouts at the receiving end, and subsequently better sound quality?

I do not know a lot about networking so I chose an easier path to stream music in my rig. My setup involves a music server, DAC and Apple Extreme base. 

I am wondering how many of you using a high end Ethernet cable vs. a generic Ethernet cable. 

Is there a test data or device that tells us how many errors and re-sends happen in Ethernet data transmissions to justify the use of uber 'pricey' ethernet cables? 

Thank you all for your feedback! 
128x128lalitk
cymbop
315 posts
 
Lalitk, your answer is Blue Jeans Cable.  No snake oil, only pro broadcast-standard cabling.  Here's your test data:  https://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/is-your-cat6-a-dog.htm

I went from a cheap Monoprice Cat 6 to Blue Jeans 6a and easily noticed an absence of noise.  
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kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

In most homes, there are outlets in various rooms for BNC (110 ohm) cable connections for TV use. There are "adaptors" out there that allow converting BNC to RJ45, of course without the need for getting a second modem set up which can be problematic for the service providers, e.g., multiple DNS, etc. I personally have not tried this option since I use WiFi but have always been curious to see is a wired connection would yield better (sonic) results.

almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Thanks, Kalali. A minor point: Aside from a few oddball exceptions, I believe that nearly all BNC connectors have either 50 ohm or 75 ohm impedances, not 110 ohms.

Regards,
-- Al

czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I once heard from professor of quantum physics that a hex nut placed in the empty drinking glass still have probability(extremely small) of jumping out of it using its own potential energy, but it isn't happening in real life.

Same thing with Ethernet wires sharing same magnitude  or 'head room' of sound quality improvement.

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