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Most Important, Unloved Cable...

Ethernet. I used to say the power cord was the most unloved, but important cable. Now, I update that assessment to the Ethernet cable. Review work forthcoming. 

I can't wait to invite my newer friend who is an engineer who was involved with the construction of Fermilab, the National Accelerator Lab, to hear this! Previously he was an overt mocker; no longer. He decided to try comparing cables and had his mind changed. That's not uncommon, as many of you former skeptics know. :)

I had my biggest doubts about the Ethernet cable. But, I was wrong - SO wrong! I'm so happy I made the decision years ago that I would try things rather than simply flip a coin mentally and decide without experience. It has made all the difference in quality of systems and my enjoyment of them. Reminder; I settled the matter of efficacy of cables years before becoming a reviewer and with my own money, so my enthusiasm for them does not spring from reviewing. Reviewing has allowed me to more fully explore their potential.  

I find fascinating the cognitive dissonance that exists between the skeptical mind in regard to cables and the real world results which can be obtained with them. I'm still shaking my head at this result... profoundly unexpected results way beyond expectation. Anyone who would need an ABX for this should exit the hobby and take up gun shooting, because your hearing would be for crap.  
douglas_schroeder
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
Yes the Tera Grand Cat 7 Ethernet cables at $11 for two 6 foot cables are said by some to sound better than Audioquest Vodka. The connector is also shielded! I am going to try some. Read some online Aphiles reviews saying this stuff bested the big dollar AQ Vodka. 

Go to Amazon. 
t_ramey
632 posts
 
Thanks grannyring for the info on Tera Grand Cat7. I've found the Supra Cat8 to sound better than the Audioquest Vodka in my system.
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
I just received from Amazon a 50' Theo & Cleo CAT7 and a five pack of 3' PiperCables TM Pro Series CAT7.  The Pipers were advertised as tested on a Fluke meter, which at least implies better than no-name quality. These replaced generic CAT5 between a QNAP NAS, a Cisco EN switch, and a microRendu into a Esoteric K-01X.  Wow, a meaningful upgrade!  Larger stage, increased resolution, weightier LF foundation, super quiet background.  I can't recall a better $50 spend.  
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
Same results with the Tera cat 7 double shielded round cable. Goodness should have done this a long time ago. Wonder if the Supra cat 8 is better? 
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Speaker wire, RCA interconnects, XLR, power cords, crossover wiring inside REALLY expensive speakers, etc. And now, wait for it, whole home ethernet wiring. What the hell? Replace everything!

What next? Re-run all home AC wiring with extra-homogeneous ceramic coated, diamond encrusted gold-core? No settle time required and quick burn-in guaranteed. And, of course, the POSITIVE increase in audio sound quality is always mind boggling. Shame on those who cannot hear the voodoo difference.

I occasionally thank God he made me wise enough recognize the scams despite the eloquence of those touting their wasted money.
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