Ethernet cables

Maybe we could ask for peoples experience with digital cables on their streaming system.

Also, have these people identify their system.

One person may say they can’t hear a difference and have a system that isn’t very revealing. Another might say they hear every difference and have an extremely revealing system.

I use a digital coaxial cable between my transport and DAC. It makes a DRASTIC difference.

I have a Meridian 800 transport modified by The Repair Shop (Marc Koval, authorized Meridian repair shop is THE BEST!!!!!) with a linear power supply and all other boards removed except for the digital audio output board. It runs into a Meridian 861v8 DAC. Amplifiers are Pass XA-200.5's with Wilson Sasha I speakers.

Power conditioner is a Sound Application TT-7 with CH Acoustic X-20 power cords and MIT Oracle Interconnects and speaker cables.

The last non-audiophile who heard my system said she couldn't hear the speakers because they disappear - the music is a 3 dimensional soundstage.

I'm not bragging, just explaining. Because of a divorce, I am taking my system down. When I get it back up, anyone in the central NJ area is welcome to hear it. I'd only ask you post your comments.

Best, TJF

No, I don't think it's worth spending a huge amount.  Out of curiosity, I purchased an ethernet cable that several members here touted on Amazon, easily returnable.  That's when I found out ethernet cables can sound different.  It made my system sound worse than the standard issue provided by my cable company, so back it went.  I was not about to wait several hundred hours to let it "break in".  I then tried DH Labs Reunion ethernet cable as it was also returnable.  I think it sounded better. It definitely looked prettier, so I kept it.

Ethernet cables are directional whether they are marked or not- at least the silver plated wire ones are.  So if it sounds bad, try turning it around.  I bought some silver plated wire Pangea ethernet cables about a year ago.  They made my previous NUC based music server sound better.  They were not marked but they were directional.  It wasn't hard to tell the difference.  The highs were edgy and grating one way and smooth the other way.  I had the same thought at first- these silver plated wire cables sound worse than my basic cheap ethernet cables.  Then I thought to reverse them and they sounded much better.  I don't think it took much time to tell the  difference.  So I had to try out each cable both directions, and I marked them; but by the third one I could tell right away.  Also, the cable closest to the server is most noticeable with the cable between modem and router the least noticeable.  The Pangea are very reasonable offering silver plated Cardas wire.  I later bought some AQ ethernet cables with thicker silver plating.  It improved the sound but I'd say the improvement didn't match the increase in cost.  I kept the AQ because cost is a secondary issue for me at this point.

Hearing a difference in ethernet cables is system dependent.  The better cables make the TV picture look better but I don't hear a difference with my HT system setup.  With my stereo system the difference is night and day.  I have found a handful of songs that have bad mic clipping with my stereo system.  I can't play those songs on my stereo, it's too grating.  Play the same songs on my HT system or in my car and I can't hear the clipping at all.  The detail just isn't there.  I can hear guitar strings rattle in some songs on my stereo that cannot be heard in the car or on the HT system.  You just don't know it's there until you hear it in a more critical system.  So, careful what you wish for.

I do not believe in audible differences between 2 properly made Ethernet cables of Cat6 or better. What I do believe in is never using the absolute cheapest example either. So I settled on Belden cat 6e. Belden individually tests each cable to ensure it’s up to proper spec. I chose cat 6e over 7 or 8 because there’s some evidence that the extra shielding in 7-8 can potentially cause ground loop issues. And cat 6e avoids this and is WAY faster than your music is streaming. It’s my opinion you can’t do better for an Ethernet cable. And it’s about $30 shipped.

By all means spend $2000 on a data cable if you just like having cool, expensive cables. Nothing wrong with that if you can afford it. But I do not think your $2000 Ethernet cable is getting you any actual advantages. 

@Megabyte

Not many spend $2000 on an ethernet cable. Those who do, will have systems to match. And the effect of the cable would be noticeable compared to the Belden.

The Belden is a reasonable start.

My Triode Wire Labs ’Freedom’ have also been good value, in keeping with my system cost.