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Questions about Ethernet Cabling

PLEASE READ: This is not a thread about the merits or demerits of audiophile-grade ethernet cables, or any cable for that matter. If you don’t believe in spending extra on expensive cables, I respect your opinion but please don’t turn this into a point of contention.

So before I ask my questions, let me describe how internet connectivity is setup in my house:

- [Home office/study] The modem (AT&T), router (Google Nest/Mesh), and switch ($25 TP-link basic switch) are located in the home office/study. I also have a second system in this room as well as other stuff connected through the switch. In other words, I can’t move the switch to another room.

- [Media room] The main audio system is located in the media room which is in the diagonally opposite side of the house (single story). This room has the ENO ethernet filter connected to the Innuous Zenith MK3 streamer, and so on.

[Long ethernet cable] A very long run of ethernet cable (CAT 6/over 100 foot) runs from the [Home office/study] router and terminates into the [Media room] ethernet jack/wall plate. This was done by the builder and it runs through the attic.

- [Media room] From the [Media room] ethernet wall plate, I then use another 6 foot ethernet cable (also CAT 6) that goes into an ENO filter and then on to the Innuos Zenith MK3 streamer.

 

So here are my questions:

1. Is it worth upgrading only the so-called last-mile ethernet cable, i.e. the one between the [Media room] ethernet wall plate and Eno filter while I continue using the long CAT 6 cable [Study >> Media room]? It is going to be difficult, if not impossible, to replace the long-run CAT 6 cable as it goes through the attic where several spots are not reachable without tearing down some sheetrock.

2. Is it worth adding a second audiophile-grade switch (e.g. uptone) in the media room while leaving the one in the study as is? Or is it better to upgrade the switch in the study first and place the cheaper switch in the media room? Or do I need to replace both switches (not prefered as it adds to the cost)?

 

128x128arafiq
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,109 posts
 

@arafiq

1. I wouldn’t worry about replacing the long CAT6 cable inside the wall. I would focus on isolating the noise and using a good quality LAN cable like Supra CAT 8 between the wall plate and ENO switch. This cable is excellent for the money and does a great job in rejecting EMI / RFI interferences without robbing the SQ.

2. A ’audiophile’ graded Ethernet switch greatly impact the sound, just like your ENO filter. A cheap switch like TP Link or Netgear may yield minor improvements but it’s not going to meet your expectations. I say this based on my experience and our previous conversations. This is one of those areas where you need to try 2-3 switches and see which switch gives you the best sonic improvements and bang for your buck.

A Ethernet switch with a LPS along with a noise filtering device before your streaming player are ’must’ have accessories for a scintillating streaming experience. The good news is, you are half way there with ENO :-)

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,510 posts
 

1. No 

If you have a mesh why not use it?

Put a node in the media room and plug the Eno into it via quality cable. Then feed a quality switch.

Try this and compare to contractor grade "in wall " wires.

2. See 1.

antigrunge2
1,366 posts
 

From your description I would recommend the following: get an Uptone Etherregen after the ENO filter, ideally driven by a quality LPS. Connect via the shortest possible Cat6 quality cable to the Zenith. The moat of the Etherregen will deal with any RMI/EFI you might have picked up on the long run. The reason I recommend Cat6 rather than Cat8 has to do with connection to ground; the metal Cat8 connectors might defeat the benefit of the Etherregen's moat. Unless you live in a rural area, Wifi is unlikely to offer improvements

If you want to further improve the connection add a 10m quality clock to the Etherregen (e.g. After Dark, Antelope, Cybershaft et al)

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Post removed 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,109 posts
 

"First, check the instruction sheet that came with the ENO filter. It has specific guidance about network switches...where to install and how many."


Really...I chuckled when people have nothing useful to contribute or have no real experience 🤣

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