Ethernet cables
Long time audiophile here but, more of a rookie regarding streaming. My basic question is should I upgrade my ethernet cables and what price point would be reasonable for my application.
The streamer is in a secondary system and is used only for casual listening. The streamer is hardwired to the system. At this point I do not have a streamer in the main system.
Below is a list of the gear in system 2.
The streamer is a Node 2i with the power supply upgrade from LHY (a DIY kit) sourced from Beatechnik out of Singapore. Not using the internal DAC but, feeding the digital signal to an outboard DAC.
DAC - Luxman DA-06
Preamp - Simaudio P5.3
Amp - McCormack DNA-500 (yes, way overkill power wise for the system but, I love the very relaxed sound of this amp)
Speakers - Dynaudio Contour 30i
Cables - Primarily Transparent Ultra mm2 generation.
Internet is from my cable provider via coax cable.
There are three short cat 6 ethernet cables (5'). One going from the modem to the router, one from the router to the wall connection for a 100 foot cat 7 run in the attic and one at the system end wall connection to the Node. The short cables are Amazon Basics cat 6. The 100 foot cat 7 was sourced from Amazon with one of those never heard of names - Snanshi which, seems to be fairly decent but, I wouldn't really know.
So, do I upgrade the Amazon Basics cables and if so, what would be a reasonable choice?
You have a wall plate and from there you connect to streamer…is that right? Here’s something to try then… iFi LAN iSilencer to the wall plate, then a short run of a good Ethernet cable from the iFi to your streamer. Pick whatever Ethernet cable you want to try but I wouldn’t spend a ton on it. |
I am with @audphile1…you can try LinkUp Cat 8 cables from Amazon. I don’t think you would hear any appreciable difference with Node 2i. |
Agree with the above. I’d probably just replace the cable to the Node as many say that’s the most important. Here’s a link to the cable @lalitk mentioned along with another that has gotten good feedback. https://www.basilaudio.com/products/melco-c1-ethernet-audio-streaming-cable/ |
