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!)