ETHERNET CABLES

This is the best value ethernet cable:

https://wireworldcable.com/collections/ethernet-cat8/products/starlight-cat8-ethernet-cable

If your system is more resolving go for the Platinum.  Audioquest Vodka and Diamond are highly regarded, but darker, depends on your system.

If you can't tell differences between ethernet cables it means your system is pretty much shiite or your hearing is knackered.

Is it a figment of my imagination?

Yes!!! And that is ok! Like stated numerous times, there is no theoretical or practical improvement. It is in your mind. And that is 100% ok.

I would hope that people would get past the, "it’s just 1’s and 0’s" and come up with an understanding as to why it works.

I do understand how it works, and that is why it just comes down to 1's and 0's! I have posted several links to really dig into this and dispel everything you can possibly think of. Ethernet is not USB or HDMI, there are layers and layers of error detection and correction, including the cable being balanced, and having common mode noise rejection built in to each receiver. 

It's not just 1s and 0s. That's a gross oversimplification to make it seem unchallengeable. It's an electrical signal approximating a 1 and a 0 and it had better do it right or it's messed up. 

Granted, this is represents what a USB cable has to deal with but it applies to all digital cables. The tactic of citing all the protocols and safeguards that ethernet uses to ensure proper and safe transmission have been similarly used for USB and HDMI defenders and it turned out they were wrong. I wonder if some detractors here were in that camp. Maybe they believe a variation of some kind of spooky action at a distance is at play here: that what is at one end is perfectly done at the other.

Minute amounts of noise that can find its way in will corrupt the signal. Now if you're slinging cable and want to transfer text, download legal files, or print your manifest to nail on a church door, then it's not that important because you're printing dead (static) junk. Music, which is always in motion, is a finer needle to thread.

All the best,
Nonoise

@nonoise 

Thanks for continuing the valiant fight, I am though afraid that adherents of digital 1/0 religion will be lost on analogue arguments. In particular your argument on time allignment as well as noise affecting DA conversion emanating from stray ground, RMI/EFI or simply from processors working hard at error correction should give these 2 bit warriors something to think about.

BTW seems we are brothers in arm in choosing our moniker.