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)?
"So clearly, the second cheap switch thing didn’t work" The simple explanation would be, cheap switches like the one you tried are not designed for audio applications. I would suggest that you save your money for a switch like Melco or Telegartner which offers much superior noise rejection and re-clocking of incoming data. I realize they are at much high price point but based on my experience, a switch like Melco or Telegartner also negates the need for a passive filters like ENO. |
agreed, the benefit of an Etherrregen is both complete isolation via the mold and high quality upgradeable re-clocking.
@jerrybj , the solution your friend proposes works only very occasionally: network repeaters suffer from high and amplified noise levels whereas in most instances Wifi is inferior to fiber or ethernet. |
Unfortunately, I have no option; it has to be wifi to streamer. With something like a TP-Link AC2600, I can connect via Ethernet cable. Then in the future will add something like an EtherRegen between the wifi extender and the streamer.
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@lalitk -- Agreed. As we discussed a few weeks ago, something like Telegartner is part of the not-so-distant future purchase plan. The cheap switch was always supposed to be a stopgap measure, but what I didn’t account for was that it would actually degrade sound quality to this extent. Well, you live and learn. As I mentioned earlier, the EE Switch8 didn’t work in my system. I know @grannyring has had success with his. For some reason when I talked to the dealer at the time of purchase, he said that EE actually recommends switching PS over LPS. So I never bothered with an LPS. I wonder if that was the missing piece of the puzzle.
@antigrunge2 -- Based on my rather ordinary experience with EE Switch8, I’m a bit leery of trying another product in the same price range. I think to hear ’substantial’ improvements, something like a Telegartner is probably the way to go. Innuos’s PhoenixNET is another option. Both are much pricier than EtherRegen to be fair though. At this point, I need to decide my next move ... do I first improve the USB side of things by inserting something like the Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker/regenerator, or invest in a better switch upfront. Eventually, I might end up doing both, but let’s say if I have to get one of them first, which one do you guys think will provide a more noticeable improvement? |
