2. cables
  3. 184533-159739

Sometimes more is not better -or- Ethernet Overkill

I recently replaced my 30' Cat 6 cable with a pair of TP Link fiber converters, ended with a Cat 8 cable to my streamer. This was a good upgrade for sure, however I started to notice haze and grain in vocals after I installed a new digital cable between my streamer and DAC. The digital cable was an improvement in resolution, which probably made the problem more obvious, but not yet critical. I recently replaced the Cat 6 links between router/modem and router/FMC with a pair of Cat 8 cables. Everything took another slight step down.

I then replaced all three of the Cat 8 links with the original Cat 6, and my system is back to exceptional clarity.

Some relevant details on cabling, all the Cat 6 is tested Blue Jeans cable. The Cat 8 from the FMC to the streamer was a Linkup (https://www.amazon.com/LINKUP-Ethernet-Screened-2000Mhz-Structure/dp/B07VVFB8VX?th=1), the other two Cat 8's used on the router end were low cost (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PL1P53C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details).

Yes, it could be the quality of the cable, though the LinkUp cable is no slouch. However, I also think that it could have to do with the extra shielding on Cat 8, and the connection that shield makes between the devices. Could this be acting as a channel for noise into the router and FMC's?

Anyway, thought it worth sharing. Try swapping out those Cat 8's for some quality Cat 6 and see if you hear a difference.

 

zlone
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,123 posts
 

FWIW, I’ve tried FMC and didn’t care for the thinner “glassy” sonic signature that was the result of introducing the converters. Plus all additional clutter with FMCs and their power supplies added to my decision to send it back.
As to the CAT8 vs CAT6, I’ve tried this CAT8 from Amazon and it sounds just fine - no glare or graininess.

And I do agree, less is more has been my experience when it comes to ethernet. I use Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System (passive filter and ethernet cable) and it is excellent. 

recklesskelly
330 posts
 

CAT 8  is backwards compatible. In my system fiber is the bee's knees. Just goes to show YMMV and all things are not equal. I have fiber and CAT 8 from the On Q box through our entire home. Best streaming ever, now I also have a awesome digital system also. No fancy switches other than fiber. 

rbstehno
1,454 posts
 

Get good cables, blue jeans are on the lower end of cables. Better cables will make a difference and depending on your system, the difference can be good or bad.

erik_squires
16,119 posts
 

Dont dorget the additional power supplies you introduce with all your back and forth conversions.  They can be noisy and introduce grunge via the AC.

mitch2
4,006 posts
 

No issues here either with CAT 8 from Amazon (Zosion).

I have the ability to use either fiber and converters or CAT 8 over 45 feet from my router to my system. Whichever I use goes into dual Bonn switches then the NA muon system into my server. The sonic difference between using the fiber and CAT 8 to deliver the signal into the Bonn switch is subtle or indistinguishable, to the point of being imagined. I do use LPS on everything - modem, router, all switches, and the converters.

Interestingly, Rich Truss of Network Acoustics commented about the use of fiber media converters in this thread:

We’ve found optical converters actually generate considerable noise in their conversion from photons to electrons, plus the extra noise injected from their PSU’s

It sounds like it’s the answer, but it doesn’t sound so good - think listening to music from source (Streamer, CD Transport) to DAC via an optical Toslink connection versus a good RCA or AES electrical connection.

My experiences in my system have not shown what I would consider easily identifiable or repeatable sonic differences between this digital wiring stuff including Ethernet cables, fiber vs. Ethernet, switches, or even the Denafrips Hermes DDC I have used.  This stuff has been largely indistinguishable to the point of being imagined.  Based on my experiences, I suspect differences in this stuff that are actually heard (and not imagined) are likely a result of the quality of the digital implementation/termination into the specific streamer/server being used.

 

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