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
jinjuku's avatar
jinjuku
226 posts
 
I'm referring to jitter at the point of D/A conversion, within the DAC component. If the explanation for the reported differences that I stated in my post dated 3-27-2017 is correct (and both I and Shadorne have stated that we cannot conceive of any other possible explanation, assuming the reported sonic perceptions are correct), it **does** have to do with the ethernet cable, **even though** the signals being conducted by that cable ostensibly have no relation to the timing of D/A conversion.

Careful reading of my 3-27-2017 post should make what I am saying clear.
Easily tested. Have someone at random pull the cable during playback. 

Archimago even showed 8Khz USB packet rate noise showing up in a DAC. The advice, and it mirrors, shadorne, and I think you would agree:

"Think you have a jitter issue? Save up the cash and buy a better asynchronous USB DAC - forget cables and tweak products IMO."

Use the Dunn J-Test.

I've read the literature by the likes of Siemons, T.I. and others and I'll stand by my position. Properly built cables CAT 6 that certify out on Fluke/Tektronix will be neutral. What good is a standard if it doesn't offer consistency.

I've certainly provided more actual information in the form a ADC'd tracks with a 315 cable coiled up on the floor vs 12 foot. 


jinjuku's avatar
jinjuku
226 posts
 
Of course AM radio is affected by unshielded Ethernet wires. This quite normal observation does not mean that in corollary the Ethernet signal has all kinds of digital static from the radio. Digital signals are extremely robust and there are error detection methodolgies to reject and retransmit packets of data in the event of interruption or data Tx collision from multiple devices (to the point of a hot swap of cable).

The SNR of PAM 16 encoding is 30dB. I don't hear anyone talking about that and how it affects audio output. 

shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
@jinjuku. 

That Ethernet packet noise might affect a badly designed DAC is not surprising. 

I recall early implementations of a USB in DACs also ran into problems (again badly designed equipment)

It took over 15 years to develop asynchronous DACs that robustly reject clock jitter. The PLL designs never worked reliably.

I use digital optical to a well tested and respected asynchronous DAC for these very reasons stated above. 

Early adopters may suffer from inadequate poorly built equipment by designers unfamiliar with Ethernet!
wgutz
85 posts
 
Well, I tried the Terra Grande CAT 7, the Swedish CAT 8 and then went back to my Audioquest Vodka.  Night and Day. The Audioquest brought back the sound. The other cables were so bright, I started reworking my room acoustics to soften a harsh, raspy high and clanging mid-range. And while it may be system dependent, or ear dependent, I will depend on the Vodka until I buy a more expensive Audioquest to replace it. And no, I am not trolling for AQ, but I have heard most of their line and each level has a noticeable improvement in sound quality.  I also believe Kimber makes some great cables. I use a full tube complement powering Soundlab U-2s, with pre-amp and amps that are custom hand-made units and the U-2s are modified. Except in the summer, when I use a class D amp that provides a change-up in the sonic picture and lowers the heat load considerably.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,471 posts
 
Well I assume the only cable that was burned in was the Vodka? That will certainly impact the outcome. Please let us know about the run in time on the other cables.

thanks
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