What ethernet cables are members using?

[audiobomber]

In your system.

In any of my three systems.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I am thinking of purchasing the proper lengths of BJC CAT6a. I am looking for the most natural sounding cables at an affordable price.

People seem to think that these are the ones to buy?

Some folks do. I have tried them both and they were nothing special at all. PM me and I may have some Supra and BJC you can have.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

In any of my three systems.

Like I said... Just not a fan of wholesale condemnation because something did not work in their listening environment.
I am not a Supra or BJC supporter but for some they may work well in their audio ecosystem. I will say the NeoTech UPOCC Cat 6 cable is outstanding so far in both my systems.

 

[audiobomber]

Like I said... Just not a fan of wholesale condemnation because something did not work in their listening environment.
I am not a Supra or BJC supporter but for some they may work well in their audio ecosystem. I will say the NeoTech UPOCC Cat 6 cable is outstanding so far in both my systems.

Audio Sensibility Signature and I2S are the best LAN cables I've tried. Available with or without shields tied to ground. The AS Signature is 100mbps, the I2S is gigabit.

I have not tried Neotech, but I have used Melco C100, Sablon 2020 and Synergistic Research. The Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX was virtually indistinguishable from the AS Signature I2S, but more expensive. I also use three Furutech LAN8 NCF cables, one with lifter shield ground, two with Telegartner connectors.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Audio Sensibility Signature and I2S are the best LAN cables I've tried. The Available with or without shields tied to ground. The AS Signature is 100mbps, the I2S is gigabit.

I have not tried Neotech, but I have used Melco C100, Sablon 2020 and Synergistic Research. The Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX was virtually indistinguishable from the AS Signature I2S, but more expensive.

I was not a big fan of the Melco C100 and I felt the same about the SR ASX when compared to the P.A.D. Cat 7 but the NeoTech so far is superior to anything I have had in my system to date (not my final verdict it has only been one day) I do love the Price Point of the NeoTech and the engineering. I have also given the DH Labs Reunion Cat 8 (with shield untied) and they are very good. Some may find them be an exceptional cable and a good value. Not very flexible.

I always enjoy these discussions with you Dan.

Jeff.

 

[TRHH]

The advantage of CAT6a is that you don't have to worry about the shield conducting ground current from one device to another.

Only when using U/UTP

 

[agisthos]

@Republicoftexas69
Really keen on your thoughts on the Neotech. There is a 500+ thread on the Naim forums about the silver version, NEET-1008, and some people there prefer it over much more expensive LAN cables. Given my anti-silver bias I would get the copper NEET-3008 first.

Whether copper or silver - both are very reasonably priced too.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

@Republicoftexas69
Really keen on your thoughts on the Neotech. There is a 500+ thread on the Naim forums about the silver version, NEET-1008, and some people there prefer it over much more expensive LAN cables. Given my anti-silver bias I would get the copper NEET-3008 first.

Whether copper or silver - both are very reasonably priced too.

Yes they are reasonably priced. I am not adverse to silver as long as it is pure, not silver coated copper. In my system once the silver settles I find the sound is crisp, detailed, full range…. I have their silver UPOCC USB feeding my LessLoss Echos End R DAC and I am very happy with them and prefer them over my Purist Audio Designs USB. More to come as these NeoTech UPOCC Ethernet cables settle in. I am impressed after 1 day.

 

[Puma Cat]

In your system.

Exactly right. And room, BTW.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Exactly right. And room, BTW.

Yes, that go's without saying. The room is the most overlooked underdeveloped component in our audio ecosystems. Cheers.

 

[Puma Cat]

Yes, that go's without saying. The room is the most overlooked underdeveloped component in our audio ecosystems. Cheers.

Couldn't agree more. Cheers.

 

[audiobomber]

Only when using U/UTP

I have CAT6a cables that are shield-tied and others not. The BJC CAT6a is shielded with copper mesh (STP) but floating.
CAT7 STP cables can be shield-tied or not.
CAT8 cables are always shield-tied.

 

[TRHH]

I have CAT6a cables that are shield-tied and others not. The BJC CAT6a is shielded with copper mesh (STP) but floating.
CAT7 STP cables can be shield-tied or not.
CAT8 cables are always shield-tied.

I recommend against using shielded Ethernet cables as the shield is a very easy way for noise to get onto the ground plane of the audio system. This is especially bad when dealing with digital as that noise can create some issues both on the digital and analog sides. The noise may not be audible, but it's definitely within the current differential between a couple of bits. In other words, you may not be able to hear it, but it may be messing with the overall resolution of your system.

 

[audiobomber]

I recommend against using shielded Ethernet cables as the shield is a very easy way for noise to get onto the ground plane of the audio system. This is especially bad when dealing with digital as that noise can create some issues both on the digital and analog sides. The noise may not be audible, but it's definitely within the current differential between a couple of bits. In other words, you may not be able to hear it, but it may be messing with the overall resolution of your system.

Here's my response:

Ethernet cables to and from your switch?

We are using a generic shielded cable from the router to a Cisco 2960 switch and a AQ Vodka from switch to streamer. We have been looking at replacing the switch and have been advised to run a short length of unshielded CAT6 from the switch to the streamer. The reasoning behind this, shielded...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Macattack]

I am currently demoing Wireworld Plat 10 and Starlight 10 Ethernet cables for the 1 meter between my last switch and my Antipodes server.

Both outperform the incumbent 1 meter Supra Cat 8+ with wider sound stage and more body.

The bigger question is which of the WW cables is better. I think at this time the Plat 10 is better but is it ~3X better? Or am I so deep at this point that spending another $700 doesn’t matter if it is ‘better’.?

 

[SoundMann]

OK, so according to Stack Audio, my SmoothLan has a 9.8" (25cm) pure copper CAT7 cable. I am wondering if it is possible for a cable this short to produce internal reflections?

 

[SoundMann]

Well to answer my own question, it appears that the shorter the cable, the more reflections it produces.

I have received a 5 foot BJC CAT6a cable which was donated to me from Jeff? It is a marked improvement over the shorter supplied cable, which I also tried between my Modem and router. In either position, the shorter cable clearly caused distortion which neither the 6 foot 5e nor the 5 foot 6a cause in my system.

I coiled up the 5e cable that is used between my modem and router, which has resulted in a slight but clear improvement.

I will now go ahead and purchase another 15 feet of the CAT6a to replace a cheap flat cable that I am currently using.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Well to answer my own question, it appears that the shorter the cable, the more reflections it produces.

I have received a 5 foot BJC CAT6a cable which was donated to me from Jeff? It is a marked improvement over the shorter supplied cable, which I also tried between my Modem and router. In either position, the shorter cable clearly caused distortion which neither the 6 foot 5e nor the 5 foot 6a cause in my system.

I coiled up the 5e cable that is used between my modem and router, which has resulted in a slight but clear improvement.

I will now go ahead and purchase another 15 feet of the CAT6a to replace a cheap flat cable that I am currently using.

Yes my name is Jeff. Cheers my friend.

 

[zacho]

I've been testing quite a few ethernet cables as I recently acquired an Ediscreation FiberBox II Extreme and thus now needed another Ethernet Cable. Previously I was using TWL Freedom Ethernet cable from Ediscreation SilentSwitch to my HifiRose RS150. Since this exploration began, I've tried Tiglon TPL-2000L Professional, Nordost Heimdall 2, Audionet N1000, NXLT Flame LAN, NXLT Ether LAN. My brain is so extremely tired of doing the comparisons as the burn in and settling in for each cable really takes you on a rollercoaster, much like the burn in rollercoaster associated with Furutech NCF products.

Currently, am testing out the NXLT Flame from FiberBox to RS150, and NXLT Ether from Switch to FiberBox. Still going through the burn in process so will update in a few days (hopefully)