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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
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@douglas_schroeder   

This is good information to have on hand. I've had some issues with my cable company being forthcoming to install a new line etc. so I can be direct in my internet feed to the audio room. I have defaulted to using Google Mesh, which btw is working very well.

It's terrific to know that I can explore internet feeds over IOP as an option.

I would like to commend you for this review. These are not conducted often and I know cabling reviews are not the highest priority (nor easiest and fun) for professional reviewers. Thanks for the review as well as your response above. It is appreciated.
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 

@douglas_schroeder

I haven’t been able to find much discussion for good or bad on high-end forums about IOP. The point is occasionally made that it can adversely affect certain components(a Burmester was mentioned). Others report or speculate that Ethernet over an AC circuit underscores the importance of good power conditioning to address high frequency noise. Others report affects of noise from appliances, motors, etc. running on the same circuit or across the mains.

I agree that if you use IOP and are still able to hear differences between wires --and your computer audio system is also performing at an historic high-- then your cable comparison is valuable. However, one could raise a question as to the extent of interaction between the end cables and the IOP. Would the outcome have been different if these cables were used in a system without IOP?

My CPU setup (QNAP i5 NAS> SoTM-modified D-Link hub> SOtM SMS-200ultra> SOtM USBultra > USB> Esoteric K-01X), is wired based more upon principles accepted for audio than for computer networking. All music devices and the network are inside the audio room on their own bridged subnet connected by short Ethernet cables. I found that this subnet approach improved upon a 50’ Ethernet to an internet router in another room. Performance issues may have been caused by the long cable run, the cable itself(generic CAT7) or perhaps by the lack of isolation from noise and/or OSI Layer 3 activity propagated by the internet router. I’ll add that the SoTM-modified hub contributes to the "upgrade": that hub and the two other SoTM components on the Ethernet, are all slaved to a common master clock.

Obviously computer audio is a minefield of interdependent variables, of which ethernet cabling is one.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,512 posts
 
I think,  based  on experience, it is close to impossible to translate what one hears to another’s set up. The Terra low cost cable is very warm in my system...not at all bright? Why? My system is different. I go directly from the modem to my Music Vault computer using the Terra with no switches or routers etc...

I found this cable far warmer sounding than the generic Cat 6 in prior use.  My gear is also different from Doug’s.  Sometimes what one hears from a given wire or component just does not translate in the same manner in another home and system. This must be particularly true with Ethernet cables? Certainly possible with all the various ways we all get the internet signal to our gear. 


douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
Another piece of information which might be useful; I have used some of the cabling for several years, before I went to the IOP setup for streaming audio. Prior to that I had a Mac Mini and used it wirelessly to do streaming. I also have used CD transport and DAC. 

In all these cases the character of the cabling used has never shifted or wandered when using them. i.e. Whether from transport, wirelessly, or IOP the cables when used in loom or comparison have never shifted in sonic character such that I was given problems using them precisely as I wish, relying upon the character of their innate sonic properties to build systems. 

I would think that had there been a problem moving to the IOP I would have heard it and it would have altered the performance of the cables I move about regularly. There *may* be some effect of the IOP, but if so it has been so insignificant in my case that it is negligible. :) 

shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
If different ethernet cables have audible differences then it stands to reason that IOP will be an even bigger factor. It would not make sense to run listening tests on various ethernet cables without testing such a key factor as IOP at the same time.

On the flip side if IP is robust enough to go over wifi, ethernet, optical or IOP and through countless servers reliably and perfectly then there should be no audible difference between various cables and/or IOP (if all the components  work properly)


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