BTW, the Phoenix is a USB re-clocker/conditioner.
Ethernet and USB cables
Do premium Ethernet and USB make a sonic difference? I have very good speaker and DAC to amp cables but, all the others are just inexpensive generic cables. I’m running Innuos Zenith MK III and about to try out a Phoenix USB. Just looking to get the most out of the system w/o throwing away more $ (unless it works!).
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I have used high quality USB cables including a WireWorld Starlight Platinum 7 and Audience FrontRow. Each brought substantial improvement to my digital setup at the time. Last week I purchased a Sablon USB 2020 cable to go between my Wolf Audio server and my Gryphon DAC module and it has far outperformed the ones I previously enjoyed. |
I systematically evaluated USB cables for my ~$7K former headphone system and ultimately settled on some $500 USB. This was cost effective use of the funds for what I could hear. My dealer / friend that I trust completely said the biggest difference he has ever heard in an interconnect was an Ethernet cable. So yes… I would imagine 5% would be a starting place, then try a couple less and more. |
I just went from a cat 5 cable to a cat 6 to a cat 8 over a two week period, 15% faster speeds on average both directions and STOPPED a slight buffering issue I was having when traffic was high.. OR the SUN was having a fit.. :-) It would produce sibilance, it drove me NUTS.. Then I really listen after 3 weeks of breaking in and settling.. A 14.00 cable, I kid you not.. 14.00 dollar cat 8 from Amazon, it's a ribbon (flat), vs my 220.00 dollar Cat 6 humpty dumpty cable.. Teflon this and silver that... 14.00 dollar cable from Amazon tore it UP. Hocus Pocus, Bofus? It was magic. The 1 and 0s are in perfect order... I'm gonna do the whole house in Cat 8, ribbon. I'm impressed. I got a brand new laptop just for the new setup we'll see. 17.3 flip back with a hot rod sound card, faster CPUs and Dual SSDs RAID for speed ONLY.. Music ONLY, Speed Only, speed only, speed, only. puff! :-) Machines on drugs.. LOL Now for a new DAC http://www.thebestamp.com/DA_Converters_USB-DACs/DA-512DSD-2.php I'm DONE.. LOL, Time for a SA meeting. Stereo's Anonymous Maybe a http://www.thebestamp.com/Tube_Buffers/TEQ-100.php For the RtR, I promise I'll quit, just this one last time.. :-) The flame get hotter. BUT BUT It's a retirement present from, from, from, Someone!!!! I'm glad God, the rabbit and the dog loves me, because the wife sure isn't.. LOL Regards |
I’m not a cable guy, but I do try to go a few steps up the ladder from standard computer peripherals. I think most of the improvements in cables come from those first few steps and then you are into diminishing returns. Personally I don’t hear a difference in Ethernet from CAT 5 to CAT 7, but I do hear a slight improvement with usb cables. I like the Pangea line from Audio Advisor |
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