What ethernet cables are members using?
- Thread starter Lee
- Start date
. That doctrine can result in a lifetime of missing out, so yes, you can save a few hundred or even thousand of bucks on cables, power supplies etc for your network, but then you pay that back multiple times in missed enjoyment. Entirely you choice.
Or else you could spend a few extra thousand dollars on speakers or room treatments - and get a really big improvement!
I'd really like to know why this theory only works with data (which happens to represent music).
Why doesn't optimising the network impact on other data (that doesn't represent music)?
I really wish it would work on my banking......you know - optimise my network and see "INCREDIBLE UPLIFTS" in my bank balance !!
There seems to be consensus that playback without network sounds better that with the most sophisticated UHQ network.
For serious listening with Qobuz I turn network completely off after loading the files into RAM, so I am curious how big the SQ delta is in your case when you playback music with network off or disconnected.
Thanks
Matt
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All the network does is load these files to RAM/buffer. Whether the network is on or off shouldn't change how the files are read from the buffer to the processor/DAC.
If you're hearing a difference here, it's because:
1. You're actually not hearing a difference
or
2. There is something gravely wrong with your configuration.
or
3. There is something gravely wrong with the engineering / implementation of your equipment.
My opticalModule is plugged into a smart plug so I can kill my network using my iPhone while music is playing. There is a small uptick in sound quality when I do that. I don’t do that all the time, but it’s worthwhile when I’m only focusing on the music.
So far I have avoided network issues by having my hard drive directly connected to my Lumin, and avoiding streaming off the Internet. However, I realize I am turning into a Luddite and will have to eventually deal with this issue. Hopefully by then we will have a better understanding how current Ethernet technology negatively affects musical data.
4. A home network can act like an antenna that picks up noise that can actually degrade audio perform and simply disconnecting the network is akin to disconnecting that antenna.
Why don’t you try this experiment yourself? Approach it humbly by setting aside your preconceived notions. If possible have someone pull the cable without you knowing if it’s in or out. Let your ears and your own experiments inform your positions.
Hearing the difference has been helpful in my pursuit of making improvements that reduce the harm my network is doing.
Another thing I would recommend is buying a Cable Matters CAT8 cable from Amazon for less than $20. Use this at the input of your audio device. Many listeners including myself find this to sound pretty darn good - especially for the price.
True - but your hi-fi components would have to be pretty flawed if they didn't isolate from this.
And he said "turn the network off" - not "disconnect it". Unless it is disconnected, then the "antenna" effect is still there. So this point is invalidated.
(to be fair - we're talking about two different things here - 1. Cable; and 2. whether connection (period) causes a loss of performance.)
AND: A better cable 'ain't going to change any of that.
I can't. Because I use wi-fi to my streamer. (Oh no, did I open another can of worms? Sorry if I did.)
Wow. I won't even postulate. I'll say with utmost certainty - having a vibrating/spinning/noisy (both electrically and acoustically) hard disk whirring away in your listening room is unilaterally worse than a network connection!
.......and some of us espouse spending $multi-thousands on cable to get a "blacker background" and other such fodder........you've just incisively blown all that out of the water in one fell swoop!
This thread is about what Ethernet cables people use... you have made yourself very clear, it would genuinely be good just to get back to the original post.
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Clearly you weren't being honest when you said you were genuinely interested in hearing an explanation. Yes, you do seem to be trolling.
I admire your energy, good will and calm
BUT: the best way to treat trolls is to not feed them
I think they already have. Music , banking, missiles, etc.. Not affected.
My last comment on this. Enjoy your music anyway it happens to enter your life !
Back on topic, Respect to all in here for doing everything they can to improve their musical enjoyment!
Good day all!
I am certainly interested in the original thread topic - what is the genuine explanation as to why some cables sound different??
We seem to have gotten a little off topic in talking about disconnection of the network (and fairly, other things too). So let's put those aside.
So let's keep it on track - why do some ethernet cables sound different?
Please don't call names.
To make these things more understandable for me I use the 2 different cars analogy. We have one old and one new car. Both will take you between A to B , equally fast if speed regulation is followed. (Data stream packets)
Lets say the old car is my first VW Golf -75 year model lemon yellow ( representing the basic network cable)
A bumby ride due to simple and plain suspension, where noise from the outside makes it a very uncomfortably ride.
The other example is a 2021 Audio e-tron packed will all latest technology to give you a smooth, comfortable and enjoyable ride from A to B. (representing a modern audiophile network cable)
Wich car would you prefer ?
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Since they both end up the same, I would take the bumpy ride, as I like to feel the Road.To make these things more understandable for me I use the 2 different cars analogy. We have one old and one new car. Both will take you between A to B , equally fast if speed regulation is followed. (Data stream packets)
Lets say the old car is my first VW Golf -75 year model lemon yellow ( representing the basic network cable)
A bumby ride due to simple and plain suspension, where noise from the outside makes it a very uncomfortably ride.
The other example is a 2021 Audio e-tron packed will all latest technology to give you a smooth, comfortable and enjoyable ride from A to B. (representing a modern audiophile network cable)
Wich car would you prefer ?
The money saved from buying the new heavy padded expensive car would go to buying something to make my music sound, Better..
Gosh Amey01,
You’re really not up to speed with this stuff. You want to improve the sound quality of your hi-fi? Upgrade your digital streaming network with better power supplies, cables and components
You want to upgrade your bank balance? Simply stream some Bitcoin blockchain references into a digital wallet.
Why - so you can again say that "your hi-fi components would have to be pretty flawed if they didn't isolate from this"? We didn't get off track as it's all related to why cables can have an audible impact. But since you have seemed inclined only to want to debunk, it's fair to suggest that you have been trolling.
I haven't yet called you a name - I criticized your actions, not you.
I acknowledged that - I said "True...." But that related to removal of cable - not to how an ethernet cable could change the sound of a system. So over to you.
And I acknowledge again - it can "act like an antenna" - grounding issues are real. I'm sure we've all experienced them in our systems. But unless you totally isolate your system by battery, you still have a copper connection between computer and audio system (through the power grid)! So you never remove this antenna effect. All the grounds are interconnected, ethernet cable or not.
Anyway - I'm going to bow out now.......I think we've made our points and it's up to each to decide. I think we've all got pretty good sounding systems - that much for sure. (my only remaining postulation is how much better your system could sound if you spent the money on "real" upgrades rather than ethernet cables.........but your system, your choices).
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Nice use of sophistry, but it just doesn't relate.
Seriously - the engineers who design this stuff aren't stupid. I'm really interested.......what makes you think that the systems and protocols designed to keep planes in the air, run the world's financial systems, keep water pumping and electricity on, manage life support systems in hospitals, etc are not adequate for you to listen to your little music collection? I am truly flummoxed.
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