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Ethernet Cables, do they make a difference?

I stream music via TIDAL and the only cable in my system that is not an "Audiophile" cable is the one going from my Gateway to my PC, it is a CAT6 cable. Question is, do "Audiophile" Ethernet cables make any difference/ improvement in sound quality?

Any and all feedback is most appreciated, especially if you noted improvements in your streaming audio SQ with a High-End Ethernet cable.

Thanks!
grm
grm
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@markalarsen   Looking forward to the outcome of your comparison.

I will be comparing the Wireworld (as well) in the near future.

Thanks.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
For reference, I am using Supra CAT 8 for all LAN connections except for the final leg which is:

Switch > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > SoTM iSO-CAT 6 Filter > SoTM Black Network Cable > Sonore Signature Rendu SE 
markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
658 posts
 
kosst_amojan

This is John Stronzer's answer based on real science:

Mark my research into the impact of the Ethernet cable for the last run into the audio system focused on radiated energy. Given that the Ethernet signal is packetized with packet rates on the order of 100-150kHz this relatively low frequency can result in considerable radiated energy into power, speaker and interconnect cables. I measured a very large 130kHz radiated energy spike on a typical stock Ethernet cable and on a good quality audio grade cable this spike was non-existent. The kind of improvement I hear from the ethernet cable is similar to that from good power conditioning and power cables. It seems to effect the noise floor of a high resolution system.

I do NOT think that anything to do with bit errors or jitter is at play here.

We use completely asynchronous resampling of the digital date from the ethernet interface-using our internal ultra-low phase noise master clocks. (there are actually several stages of resampling in the EX DAC)

Bit errors, if they occur, cause noticeable dropouts and interruption of the music. Not subtle degradation as would result from radiated noise.

If those smarter than me do not want to at least accept the theory of this kind of effect then Too Bad…

I approach these issues as an engineer, I certainly did not WANT to hear an improvement from an expensive audio grade ethernet cable, but I did and do and did some research into the why of this.

Best regards,

John Stronczer

Founder

Bel Canto Design


t_ramey
632 posts
 
@david_ten 

I use the SoTM dCBL-CAT7 and really like it. I'm not familiar with the SoTM Black cable, how would you describe what it does? Can't seem to find it on the SoTM site.
markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
658 posts
 
@acepilot71 Are you baiting me? The ethernet cable connects directly into the Bel Canto Black EX and directly into the PS Audio DirectStream through the Bridge II.

These DACs use a Digital to Analog Converter to convert digital to analog…unbelievable but true.


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