Directional LAN Cables

brad225

brad225

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There are a number of LAN cables that have a directional arrow due to a built in filtering device.

Since most all LAN cables have signals that travel in both directions. How does this not create a problem with signal flow.

It may not, I just don't know how they actually work.
 
brodricj said:
To answer the question, the cable shield is connected to the shell on the upstream side, and disconnected from the downstream side.
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Thanks broderick, I do know that the direction is shield related.

My question was, if the cable has a circuit built in to a directional cable, is there a potential issue when a signal travels in both directions through the circuit? One answer is try it and see. I was looking for thoughts on whether this seemed to be a resonate assumption.
 
I replaced 2 BJC that I believe use Belden cable with SOtM .75M CAT7 cables. I was stunned at the improvement in the sound.

Clearer and more detailed sound.
 
brad225 said:
I replaced 2 BJC that I believe use Belden cable with SOtM .75M CAT7 cables. I was stunned at the improvement in the sound.

Clearer and more detailed sound.
Click to expand...

Yup - the difference is not subtle. Beldon / BJC is my favorite budget ethernet cables and I use them myself in certain places. But they are just that - budget sound at budget pricing.
 
This is one of those situations where science and experience don’t line up.

The science says there is no need for shielded Ethernet cables. Cat 7 and Cat 8 shielded cables were developed to reduce line to line crosstalk in high density enterprise patch bays. When used in audiophile applications they connect the ground planes of switches and routers together, thus providing a path for noise to travel downstream into your audio system.

So follows the development of directional audiophile cables that ground the shield only on the sending end, eliminating this problem.

Then comes the experience of many audiophiles who find that upgrading these cables does indeed improve their subjective listening enjoyment.

No manufacturer of these cables has provided any credible objective evidence of their efficacy. That’s true of Ethernet noise filters, switches, etc.

Which leaves the inquiring mind with an interesting quandary.

There’s a pony in there somewhere.
 
Last winter, took on a project to bring Ethernet directly to the audio rack,

Fun fishing cable through the walls, learning Ethernet termination and more about networking. Soon ran a basic fiber link and its superior sound quality took prescient.

Question was which Ethernet cable from the clean side FMC to network streamer?

Initially a generic Cat5E, then an audiophile double shielded/silver plated Cat8.

Folks on a Rossini thread touted a cable sold by a UK company made with Belden 1305A and Sentinel connectors over audiophile varieties.

Belden 1305A is a bonded-pair, unshielded CAT5E alluded to by Speedskater.

Belden designed it for “digital audio over Ethernet.” In small quantities, it’s $1.59 per foot and the connectors about a buck each. Terminating bonded pairs with non pass through connectors does require some extra tinkering.

Result? Works and sounds as well as the audiophile one it replaced. More flexibility and a bespoke length to boot.

Yes, do realize I’m one of the odd guys out on this but… found ma’ pony!
(Man, sure do miss that dude!)
 
Brad-

Going back over this thread, it did get away from your original question.

While not having been a "Double E" major I will make an assumption.

Ethernet robustness comes from its (as you mentioned) signals traveling in both directions; one in and one going back to grab corrected data for any data that was corrupt. I will then assume any filtration a cable designer incorporates will take this in account and filter the individual wires accordingly. Not sure this would matter directionally however and the shield might well be the only reason.
 
JohnJ said:
Brad-

Going back over this thread, it did get away from your original question.

While not having been a "Double E" major I will make an assumption.

Ethernet robustness comes from its (as you mentioned) signals traveling in both directions; one in and one going back to grab corrected data for any data that was corrupt. I will then assume any filtration a cable designer incorporates will take this in account and filter the individual wires accordingly. Not sure this would matter directionally however and the shield might well be the only reason.
Click to expand...

Thanks John,
The original question was never in the thread after the beginning.

I was able to talk with my EE friend and his response was as I expected but, wasn't sure.

He said the shield only being connected at one end is important. Hence a direction for the cable. If there was a circuit one would guess that it would no have an negative effect on the signal.
 
I started my college career in IT. I was Cisco certified as a network admin & designer before shifting to finance.

You should certainly have quality shielded Ethernet cables, but ultra high end audiophile Ethernet cables are laughable. A good cat 5/6/7 cable is less than 20 bucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Phishphan said:
I started my college career in IT. I was Cisco certified as a network admin & designer before shifting to finance.

You should certainly have quality shielded Ethernet cables, but ultra high end audiophile Ethernet cables are laughable. A good cat 5/6/7 cable is less than 20 bucks.
Click to expand...


Just curious - your signature says you use "Ethernet - WW Platinum USB". Is that better than a cheap but quality USB cable?
 
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