I used to think ethernet cables could not possibly make a difference or improve sound quality. Well after trying A SOTM Cat 7 cable, it was clear this particular cable made an immediate and quite substantial improvement.
My SOTM switch and Innuos server are not poorly built and I am left with empirical, direct experimental observation, evidence that this particular Ethernet cable, in my system, made for a nice improvement in sound quality. I know my system’s sound very well as I play music for 6-10 hours every day. Not hard for me to detect changes in SQ.
I build and sell USB cables and have compared and meticulously jotted down the sonic differences in these cables. They are very real. When developing my USB cable I tried all manner of conductors ranging from stranded to solid core, silver to copper to silver/gold, 24 gauge to 16 gauge, cotton vs PVC and Tefton dielectrics. I also tried various shields on the +5v Vbus as well as on the entire 4 conductor assembly. In most cases the differences in sound quality ranged from subtle to quite obvious. The materials matter and impact the sound. The build design matters and impacts the sound. Again, I am not learning this from books and theories, but rather through hard work and actual first hand experience.
I have done the same with parts such as capacitors and resistors as I also mod gear for customers and myself. Many think all these parts sound the same as long as they are in spec. Many great and talented audio designers believe this. They are incorrect on this point however. Most likely because they have spent the hours becoming expert in other areas such as design and building of electronics. I am not skilled at design and do not possess the knowledge of these designers. Not even close. I do however consider myself expert on parts and their influence on the sound character of a given piece. I can only claim this has I have done the work, spent the countless hours learning through doing.
All of this to say that ethernet and usb cables do change and impact the sound of our systems. They just do. Frankly, the parts in our switches and power supplies also impact sound quality. Yes, even in digital electronics including switches. The parts in these switches impact the sound never mind the brand or maker of the switch. Some text books may say no, but actual empirical evidence says otherwise.
My SOTM switch and Innuos server are not poorly built and I am left with empirical, direct experimental observation, evidence that this particular Ethernet cable, in my system, made for a nice improvement in sound quality. I know my system’s sound very well as I play music for 6-10 hours every day. Not hard for me to detect changes in SQ.
I build and sell USB cables and have compared and meticulously jotted down the sonic differences in these cables. They are very real. When developing my USB cable I tried all manner of conductors ranging from stranded to solid core, silver to copper to silver/gold, 24 gauge to 16 gauge, cotton vs PVC and Tefton dielectrics. I also tried various shields on the +5v Vbus as well as on the entire 4 conductor assembly. In most cases the differences in sound quality ranged from subtle to quite obvious. The materials matter and impact the sound. The build design matters and impacts the sound. Again, I am not learning this from books and theories, but rather through hard work and actual first hand experience.
I have done the same with parts such as capacitors and resistors as I also mod gear for customers and myself. Many think all these parts sound the same as long as they are in spec. Many great and talented audio designers believe this. They are incorrect on this point however. Most likely because they have spent the hours becoming expert in other areas such as design and building of electronics. I am not skilled at design and do not possess the knowledge of these designers. Not even close. I do however consider myself expert on parts and their influence on the sound character of a given piece. I can only claim this has I have done the work, spent the countless hours learning through doing.
All of this to say that ethernet and usb cables do change and impact the sound of our systems. They just do. Frankly, the parts in our switches and power supplies also impact sound quality. Yes, even in digital electronics including switches. The parts in these switches impact the sound never mind the brand or maker of the switch. Some text books may say no, but actual empirical evidence says otherwise.