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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

jinjuku
"Wait, so people can have positive results totally sighted, negative results when the answers are taken away before hand?"

I didn’t say that. Nor do I think the statement is true.

"So you are saying sighted evaluation is the legitimate way to go about this and controlling for confirmation bias is not?"

No, I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying ALL tests are subject to a whole range of potential problems and issues. Consequently, one test cannot prove anything. Especially if results are negative. Too many things can and do go wrong.

"Ergo: sighted means everything goes ’correct’ and bias controlled evaluation means everything can go wrong."

I’m not saying that at all. I don’t think it’s true, either.

"In your setup, if you have a layer 3 managed switch, and I turn on link aggregation and supply a generic CAT6 cable that all bets are off because now everything is wrong?"

I don’t agree with that statement. I don’t even know what that statement is supposed to mean. 😄

jinjuku's avatar
jinjuku
226 posts
 
"In your setup, if you have a layer 3 managed switch, and I turn on link aggregation and supply a generic CAT6 cable that all bets are off because now everything is wrong?"

I don’t agree with that statement. I don’t even know what that statement is supposed to mean. 😄
It’s because you’ve hit your technical limit of understanding about how Ethernet works but somehow you are more of a subject matter expert than I am all the same.

While you don’t know what I am saying, you are still expert enough to simply disagree with what I suggested to do without realizing what it is that I would be doing?

If you disagree with me setting up 802.11ad than I’m willing to listen to a well thought out technical rebuttal based on your direct experience. I know when I’m talking to a fellow network pro because soon as I mention Layer 3 Managed Switch LAG’s and an additional cable they automatically get it and know where I’m leading.


geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I admit you got me there.
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
Ok, that was fun. Now that we have the objections duly noted...

Meanwhile, the comparisons continue. Who else has done a comparison and what was your preference? 


grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,537 posts
 
I like the Tera Grand cat 7 the most out of the cat 5,6, and 7 cables I have tried. Great bass, wonderful meat on the bones, and natural mids/highs. Great in my rig. They cost next to nothing....same price as the stuff you buy at Home Depot etc... 

I have only compared really low priced cables however. Amazing the differences however. 
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