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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
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.
dgarretson
2,597 posts
 
Au contraire, the difference that I’m hearing between EN "looms" <$50 is remarkable and refreshingly cost-effective. I hope that Doug’s forthcoming review of extravagantly priced EN cables includes comparisons to some of the cost-effective shielded CAT7 and CAT8 mainstream brands mentioned favorably above and to optically isolated EN transport.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,471 posts
 
Agreed!  With no burn in my wife easily heard the difference. All cables matter, but I admit I missed the Ethernet  cable thinking conventional wisdom was surely right and this cable could not possibly  make a difference? Well, once again conventional wisdom is incomplete. Great little find.
ifanpayne
18 posts
 
So, how do you terminate the Tera cat7? Do you use the cable as is (strip the ends twist and screw into the terminals and run one cable right positive and on right negative)?

Or do you braid as in the DIY descriptions?  

It would help if those who use the cat cable describe how they make the connections and how many cables they use.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,471 posts
 
Sorry as I just ran a 25 foot length under my house directly from my main router right into my computer server. No need to terminate for me. Also purchased 3 foot patch cords already terminated for TVs and other home computers.

You would need a special tool available to cut, strip, and connect the wires to the proper jack. Best just buying what you need already terminated. 
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