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)?
@jl1ny Some will tell you those two switches not audiophile quality, therefore, your results not valid in regard to true audiophile switch.
In my case, I was told my audiophile switch inferior, I need to move to $3k switch. So, what switch is objectively best? And will that switch always result in better sq in every system. Until those questions can be answered, I'll assume any particular audiophile switch may or may not be of benefit in my unique streaming setup, or anyone's for that matter. |
@sns Ahh, yes audiophile quality…the thought did cross my mind but no such luck finding one on Amazon Prime. Just for fun if I can find one with a home trial/full refund I’d give it a go. Looking forward, I’m really interested to see what Elon Musk’s StarLink will bring to the table. |
I have been there done that, by far the most important Ethernet cable is from the Ethernet switch to server, or streamer , 2 nd from the modem to router. that being said the Uptone Audio Ether Regen -Hub totally cleans the dirty signal coming in to your home if you think it’s pure coming in ,Think Again !! theEther Regen has 4 inputs and 1 output going into your main computer source. Wire world does make a 10 meter star light only about $650 with discounts.$750 retail that my friend put in for the long run ,and it it did improve the sound further but to a far lesser extent then from the hub to server, or modem to router. the New Wireworld Platinum 8; is a great cable to the server , and star light from modem to router . |
“ I had to investigate this ethernet switch business for myself so I picked up 2 gigabit switches on Amazon, $14- 8 TP-Link TL-SG125, $176- Cisco cbs110-24T. My router is a TP AC1900 which has it’s own gigabit ports. Ethernet cable is Supra CAT8. Modem/router/switches all plug into a Monster HTS1600….end result after 2 days of listening. Absolutely nothing. Zero difference to my ears. ” I couldn’t help but ask you to clarify, what were you trying to accomplish with switches that are not optimized for streaming data for audio? My experience with a NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet switch - $26 with iFi SilentPower iPower2 wall wart resulted in actual sound degradation. The test was conducted with ENO filter w/EE8 switch vs ENO filter w/Netgear. The down line components were EMM Labs DA2 and Aurender N20. Optimizing home network is only one part of the equation, the rest of the down line components must also be competent (resolving) enough to yield improvements made upstream. |
@lalitk Honestly I’m more than a little skeptical about what a switch optimized for audio is exactly. It’s my understanding that a switch cannot differentiate the data passing through it so how could a device be optimized for audio if the data being transmitted is not specific? I just can’t wrap my head around how a device is supposed to effect something that doesn’t exist? Nevertheless, the point of my experiment was to see if adding an external switch into my network would produce ANY audible difference (good or bad) to the sound of my rig. I came up empty. Perhaps my attempt was half assed, as I mentioned I’d be willing to explore further. |
