2. cables
  3. 190161-23947

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?

 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2xmwh777
nrthomas2
38 posts
 

Omega Micro Ebony CAT8 is a great 'inexpensive' cable.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
pcolvin
14 posts
 

I changed everything in my house to Phizli cable. Cost is only pennies more than your average cat6 and is available in all sizes on Amazon.  My entire house is now at 10Gbe, both copper, and fiber, and I”ve no problem. I have 32 ports in use, plus 6E WiFi, and am using Dell10G and Zyxel multi-speed switches.

pinthrift
206 posts
 

Hi mwh777, thanks for the topic,

Without hesitation DH Labs Audiophile REUNION Cat 8 Ethernet cable.  See my posts elsewhere here...and others.  The terminations (the secret sauce I suspect) are the best fitting ever experienced for ethernet.  For streaming, akin to a preamp upgrade. 

More Peace.  Pin              (bold print for old eyes) 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jji666
525 posts
 

With due respect, just for balance of message, an actual computer network engineer will tell you that any adequately designed cat 5e or above cable, within spec., will deliver the same sound.

Secondarily, be careful with Cat 8 and such - for reasons having nothing to do with data transmission for audio, their shielded design can actually be counter to the desire to eliminate the supposed "electrical noise" that networks supposedly carry. I’m not saying I believe in that, but the point is, you don’t just buy a "higher number" cable and think you’ve got something.

Any network tweaking, should you lean in that direction, should be done well after you have optimized your DAC (more critical) and streamer (less so) and digital source material (very much more so than anything else!).

I’m not an ASR fanatic by any means. But you absolutely cannot apply analog audio logic to digital anything. It’s important to understand how these things work well enough to focus on the things you can affect. Network switches, cables, regenerators, eh, if you don’t hear dropouts, the data is getting there.

soix
9,383 posts
 

With due respect, just for balance of message, an actual computer network engineer will tell you that any adequately designed cat 5e or above cable, within spec., will deliver the same sound.

I’ve seen more than a few “computer network engineers” here proclaim that a streamer can’t possibly make a difference either.  Horse hockey.  Bottom line — use your own ears. 

More to discover