2. cables
  3. 128927-305

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
6,436 posts
 
So you are not even using Ethernet for streaming music? 
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
@grannyring 

I do not stream. I use CD quality or higher resolution only.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Well until you get Tidal and stream with Ethernet how could you possibly know wether two Ethernet cables sound different? Goodness. Nothing like actual experience and evidence. 
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,321 posts
 
I don't understand the need for the seasoned folks on this forum to reply to azbrd and dynaquest4. Why do you give a rat's ass to what they think? I heard a huge difference when I moved from my $300 Signal Cable loudspeaker cables to $500 Clear Day cables. So I simply switched to Clear Days. On the other hand my current $1600 preamp bested a $4000 preamp so I did not bother getting the expensive one. I don't need a scientific jerk to tell me if I should hear the difference or not and all electric signal sound the same. Lets not make this forum a mess like avsforums. I am sure azbrd and dynaquest4 are more welcome there than here. Sorry for this blunt response, but at least it is a sincere one.
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
@milpai:.On this forum, I sometimes feel like a father with decades of real world education and experience trying to get my teen to realize that "being cool" and "popular" is not that important in the scheme of things. Teens just don’t get it. I know I am right.

I bought my first stereo system in 1969. I’ve been there done that in just about every way possible in audio. Money is not an issue except that I will never waste money on BS scams or components that are of little real value. My $20K Emotiva/Oppo/B&W system uses cables and wiring that meets basic length/resistance requirements. Most are Monoprice brand. I’ve tried other brands costing more...no difference. I currently use Kimber and Wireworld on some of my components. Not impressed...but I have them so I’m use them. The science confirms there should be no difference. If you get sucked into their made up marketing, your ears are hearing what you WANT to hear to personally justify spending ridiculous amounts on "exotic wire."

I’ll say again. I’ll not ridicule those that surrender money to slick, albeit deceptive, marketing, but I will continue to highlight my offense to these deceptive manufacturers and marketeers who trick the money out of the wallets of less savy "audiophiles."
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