AudioAficionado.org - Ethernet Cables

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So what is the largest advantage of using a high quality Ethernet cable?
I have about a 12’ run from my router to a pair of TP Link Ethernet Media converters (fiber) than back to Ethernet into my streamer/DAC. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated? Could audible noise enter a poor quality cable here?

Pre-fiber converter, I recommend the Blue Jeans cat6a cable because the shields aren't connected to the connectors and this could theoretically prevent noise downstream.

I recently tried the BJC cable and it was an improvement over another completely unshielded ethernet cable I was using (as well as various shielded varieties). I've tried a bunch of cables in the upstream part of my network, before conversion to fiber.

I also seem to have gotten better sound from an inexpensive Trendnet switch with an SFP slot vs a Startech media converter for whatever reason, too. So if something still seems off, you might consider comparing your media converter to a switch.

Blue Jeans makes a high quality Ethernet cable. I use them as well (more correctly, they do very good job terminating a high quality cable from Belden). They also test each cable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtraheadroom (Post 1071058)

So what is the largest advantage of using a high quality Ethernet cable?

Significantly improved audio quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtraheadroom (Post 1071058)

I have about a 12’ run from my router to a pair of TP Link Ethernet Media converters (fiber) than back to Ethernet into my streamer/DAC. Could audible noise enter a poor quality cable here?

Yes.

Remember that the "digital signal" is actually an analog voltage square wave. The "integrity" of transmitting this voltage square wave is susceptible to a number of noise factors, all of which can impact audio quality in an audible way. Some of the noise factors that have an audible impact on audio quality are low- and high-source impedance leakage current, threshold and deterministic jietter, common-mode noise and phase noise.

Watch these videos by Hans Beekhuyzen:
https://youtu.be/B-StTplQZys
https://youtu.be/BbRF8z8dQFU

It's about switches, but the physics applies to Ethernet cables as well. Remember that when connecting Ethernet cables to a switch or FMC, it becomes a "system" and the physics has an impact on the system as a whole.

This video is informative as well:
https://youtu.be/bOKg1HJwUxE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtraheadroom (Post 1071058)

Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated?

With respect to cables, back in 2019, I did a competitive benchmarking evaluation of Ethernet cables, including cables from AudioQuest, Belden, Wireworld, Supra, and Shunyata, and the even the "base" level Shunyata Venom Ethernet virtually smoked everything else. You also want to be sure of using an Ethernet cable that if shielded, has at least one end of the shield is "disconnected", so that high-source impedance leakage current cannot travel down the shield.

These days, I'd recommend using a Shunyata Venom-X Ethernet cable, which is quite a step up from Venom going from your router to the FMCs, and at least Venom-X or higher (Alpha, Sigma or Omega) from the last (downstream) FMC to your streamer/DAC. One of the impactful noise factors that none of the other Ethernet cable mfrs deal with is common-mode† noise, which is why if possible, I'd recommend using if its in your budget, a Shunyata Alpha level or higher Ethernet cable, as it has a C-Mode noise filter.

* – a square theoretically swings from OV (frepresenting a data bit of "0") to +2V (representing a "1"), but various noise factors impact the "squareness" of the square, resulting in phase noise, threshold jitter & determinisitc jitter, etc, which can impact timing.

†-Common-mode noise: https://techweb.rohm.com/knowledge/e.../01-s-emc/6899

Thank you. When my switch becomes available I will take a closer look into the Shunyata.

Internet Switches

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puma Cat (Post 1071076)

Significantly improved audio quality.

Yes.

Remember that the "digital signal" is actually an analog voltage square wave. The "integrity" of transmitting this voltage square wave is susceptible to a number of noise factors, all of which can impact audio quality in an audible way. Some of the noise factors that have an audible impact on audio quality are low- and high-source impedance leakage current, threshold and deterministic jietter, common-mode noise and phase noise.

Watch these videos by Hans Beekhuyzen:
https://youtu.be/B-StTplQZys
https://youtu.be/BbRF8z8dQFU

It's about switches, but the physics applies to Ethernet cables as well. Remember that when connecting Ethernet cables to a switch or FMC, it becomes a "system" and the physics has an impact on the system as a whole.

This video is informative as well:
https://youtu.be/bOKg1HJwUxE

With respect to cables, back in 2019, I did a competitive benchmarking evaluation of Ethernet cables, including cables from AudioQuest, Belden, Wireworld, Supra, and Shunyata, and the even the "base" level Shunyata Venom Ethernet virtually smoked everything else. You also want to be sure of using an Ethernet cable that if shielded, has at least one end of the shield is "disconnected", so that high-source impedance leakage current cannot travel down the shield.

These days, I'd recommend using a Shunyata Venom-X Ethernet cable, which is quite a step up from Venom going from your router to the FMCs, and at least Venom-X or higher (Alpha, Sigma or Omega) from the last (downstream) FMC to your streamer/DAC. One of the impactful noise factors that none of the other Ethernet cable mfrs deal with is common-mode† noise, which is why if possible, I'd recommend using if its in your budget, a Shunyata Alpha level or higher Ethernet cable, as it has a C-Mode noise filter.

* – a square theoretically swings from OV (frepresenting a data bit of "0") to +2V (representing a "1"), but various noise factors impact the "squareness" of the square, resulting in phase noise, threshold jitter & determinisitc jitter, etc, which can impact timing.

†-Common-mode noise: https://techweb.rohm.com/knowledge/e.../01-s-emc/6899

Stephen,
I just relocated my audio components away from between my speakers and over to a side wall.
I never did get to run fiber optics between my Cisco managed switch which routes wired ethernet cables throughout my house and my EtherRegen audio switch. But now that I have 25 feet of inexpensive ethernet cable between them, I think I would achieve better sound quality running fiber optics between them. Both switches have SFP Giga ports. I need to order the components to make this happen.
Another switch I am considering to audition is the Nordost QNET Network/Ethernet switch, which is exxpensive, but has received good reviews.
I had internet issues a while ago and swapped out my Cisco Switch for a cheap TrendNet switch and immediately noticed the drop in sound quality, so anyone that says a switch won't make a difference is incorrect. I returned my Cisco switch back in place right away.
Have you had any reports on the Nordost Switch and the power supply?