ETHERNET CABLES

This is a repost of an article that I previously made on CanuckAudioMart

REVIEW:What causes audible differences in network cables

https://alpha-audio.net/review/wat-zorg ... erkkabels/

Intro

We round off our little investigation into network cables with a listening test and a clear conclusion. As promised we subjected the network plugs to a listening test and listened to three different configurations: shielding fixed on one side, shielding fixed on two sides and double shielded (and both sides connected). Do we hear differences? Well…. yes…!

Let’s clear up one myth: there is NO audible difference in network plugs. There is a difference in build quality, price and ease of installation. In short: it does make sense to invest in a good plug.

But let’s continue with the sound reproduction: as you know, we have installed everything from standard plugs to expensive Telegärtners. We tried all cables on the same switch (with an IFI power supply) and listened to the same system:
We did not notice any difference between the connectors. Sometimes we thought we heard something (think of a louder or sharper S-sound), but when we went back to the other connector, there was no difference. It is sometimes very complex to listen to this properly and to judge it honestly. But after hours of switching back and forth, we dare say that there is no difference in reproduction. In any case, we do not dare to take a bet in a blind test…

But where we do hear immediate differences – and continue to hear differences even when going back and forth – is the method of shielding.

We made three cables for this purpose: one cable with DeLock plugs and shielding fixed at one end. One cable with Delock plugs with the shielding fixed at both ends and finally the double shielded version with the nice sleeve. Also with the shielding on both sides (and Delock plugs).

What we observe almost immediately is that the version with the shielding fixed on both sides focuses better. The version with shielding on one side seems to play a bit larger, but that is not true: the effects in the song Perfect Life by Steven wilson are placed at the same spot in the room, but are more tightly framed with the cable where the shielding is fixed on both sides.

With voices, the same is true: it’s tighter in focus and also more stable between the speakers (if we move our heads back and forth, the voice stays in place better very odd).

Going to the double shielding we make another step. Again a bit more tightly focused, again a bit better framed. And with that a bit more calmness in the reproduction allowing details to surface a bit easier.

Clearly, for us it is clear where the differences come from: shielding, shielding, shielding.

And that is quite logical if you consider that a network cable is included in a digital chain. A chain that relies on clean energy to keep everything clocked tight. A chain that works with noise-levels of -140dB. A chain where small deviations are immediately audible in staging, focus and smoothness.

This also explains why fiber networks work so well as a first upgrade: you immediately shut out a lot of misery by creating a barrier through which electrical energy cannot pass. And thus no electrical noise (common mode in particular).

To conclude…

Can you hear differences between network cables? Yes… definitely. Our samples have shown that. And about the real cables you can buy at the store… pay particular attention to what the manufacturer has done in terms of shielding. We would still leave the unshielded versions. Especially after this experience. But anyway: try it yourself at home!

Jabbaman, can you explain how come non-audio data is transferred over a normal cat6 cable without error, but only the audio bits and bytes get corrupted?

I have 2, 25 foot runs could I need something special  ?

I am using Alpha Core FMC's with Linear Power Supplies.  I ditched the wall wart power supplies.  It seems to work very well for me but I have no idea how well these FMC units are built inside.  Something new for my stereo related neurosis to worry over.  My cousin, who has a more modest digital set up experienced a similar improvement in sound using FMC's with linear power supplies.

I ditched my ISP's modem and bought my own expensive modem.  Didn't make a difference in the sound.  Well, not every idea works out.  At least I did not buy a linear power supply for my modem- not yet anyway...

I agree with the shielded ethernet cables and I also found that a good USB cable makes a difference.  

Since the issue of 0 or 1 for digital keeps coming up, I thought I would add some comments from my own experience and somewhat limited knowledge. I am not a Electrical Engineer or a Digital Engineer, but I am a technician and have been involved with electronics since the start of the digital evolution. If you want more clarification of that, it means from discrete transistor circuits to simple chips to todays integrated multi function chips.

So a few basics, all digital data is moved in small chunks typically called words. Each word can and usually has a parity bit which is basically an odd even check to make sure no bits are lost. So if the word passes the number 5 but it should have been 6 that can be detected and corrected. But, if the word passes 4 and it should have been 6 that is not detected. Of course that assumes the parity bit is read correctly, which may or may not be true. The next level up in making sure the digital information is correct comes at the block level (group of words; the size of which is specified by a framing protocol)