My findings with ethernet cables were that silver plated copper wire works best. Reasonable cost cables (5x over basic ethernet cables) that are silver plated can be had. I have used both Pangea SE (advertises Cardas wire) and AQ Cinnamon ethernet cables. Both are a clear step up in sound to basic ethernet cables. Some of the more expensive ethernet cables feature a thicker silver plating. The question might be how much plating is enough? I stopped when I got satisfactory results with the AQ Cinnnamon.
Value of a premium Ethernet cable
In my current setup, digital music from a Roon ROCK NUC server travels through an Uptone Audio EtherRegen and a short link of fiber, thence to a long stretch of ordinary contractor-grade Cat 5a cable, and finally to a dCS Bartók streaming DAC.
At substantial effort and expense, I could rearrange things so the final length of Ethernet would be replaced by a single run of something like an Audioquest Vodka Ethernet cable. I'm wondering if anyone has experience of whether this is worth the trouble and expense. Well mostly the expense; the "trouble" is the hobby part of it.
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antigrunge2 The cable you recommended arrived today, and was installed between the EtherRegen and Rock server. I noticed an immediate improvement in presence and sound stage. I really get a kick out of modestly-priced system improvements. Thank you for the suggestion. |
Thought I would repost this from another thread…any insight? If you have Fiber optic cable (with LPS on FMC’s) between a mesh router and network streamer will an LPS on the router or high end cables make an improvement? I have tried several levels of ethernet cables (Audioquest, Pangea, Amazon, blue jeans, Chinese Nordost Odin in copper and silver plated) and have not heard a difference. Ended up using a copper Cat 8 shielded from amazon and returned or sold the others. Is it just me and my systems or does it not matter? |
- 65 posts total