Ethernet cables

Yes of course they matter and so many here with good systems can hear that.  Easy to ignore those that can not hear it.  But what really matters is the LAST ethernet cable going into your streamer.  I use good but reasonably priced Link-Up 22 g cat 8 from Amazon for my long runs from computer room to music systems.  Then I have a Network Acoustics Muon Pro filter between that and the streamer.  One of the reasons this Muon works so well is the fixed high end ethernet cable coming out of it and going into the streamer.   I use no cheap wall couplings and run the long wires through the wall directly to the Muon.  It sounds better than without it.  I also just upgraded the very stock 13" piece of ethernet cable INSIDE the Grimm MU1 with a Kubala Sosna Realization ethernet cable.  Wow.  So much smoother and fuller sounding.  See, the cheap cable was AFTER the Muon Pro and again degrading the sound.  You don't have to rewire the whole house (although i did with the Link-Up vs the old cheap wire), just put a meter or two of nice wire right before the streamer.   Use a good coupler, like JCAT Net Isolator, not a cheap wall plate.  Or, consider the Muon Filter as this helps in a couple of mysterious ways, one being the quality cable.

it is never worth spending a 'huge' amount of money on any cable, lan cables included - relative to the rest of your system, your major components

but it IS absolutely worth spending a decent/reasonable amount of money to make sure you have good quality cables, well constructed, using quality materials

how much is reasonable? it depends on your ears your system your spending power....

I recently replaced the ice maker control board in my fridge and snagged a wire.

I soldered on some wire I had on hand for speaker repairs. The ice maker now makes colder cubes than ever before, plus the ice makes a much better crackling sound in the glass. Must be the upgraded wire. 

I think lugsy is mocking us audiophiles.  

Everyone knows that filling ice cube trays with hot water freezes faster.

It's been fun and fascinating to hear how one cable can influence the sound of my system. I've owned a couple dozen or so ethernet cables (from $10-$1000) and they all sounded different to me. The Triode Wire Lab FREEDOM is the first cable that I thought sounded beautiful and RIGHT from the start. And, not expensive at all IMHO.