New ethernet cable - surprised at improvement

jmusica said:
@imprezap2 what do you like for ethernet?
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I did a competitive benchmarking at my own cost on a lot of Ethernet cables in Spring 2019: Audioquest Cinnamon, Belden Cat6A, Wireworld Starlight Cat8, generic CAT7, Supra Cat 8, and Audioquest Vodka. Then around the end of that time period, I received Shunyata Venom and Alpha Ethernet cables for beta-testing.

Even the entry-level Shunyata Venom Ethernet cable absolutely smoked all of them. I remember one evening I swapped out the AQ Vodka for the Shunyata Venom, and the Venom was so much better, I literally burst out laughing.

Then, I had an audio buddy over for an evening and ran the same comparison for him. Conclusion was exactly the same. Then...I put in a Shunyata Alpha Ether, and he burst out with the comment "Whoa! Who took the "kink" out of the hose?"

Trust me, I did all the "legwork" on this one....
 
I have tried a few different brands in my system (also Shunyata), I stream with my dcs Rossini and Aurender N10 and prefer different cables for both of them.
My preference of ethernet cables changed after adding a Melco S100 switch (with Plixir power supply), therefore I think it is useless to give "hard" recommendations as there are so many variables. Best is to fix a budget and try a few different brands.
 
imprezap2 said:
My preference of ethernet cables changed after adding a Melco S100 switch (with Plixir power supply), therefore I think it is useless to give "hard" recommendations as there are so many variables. Best is to fix a budget and try a few different brands.
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What virtually none of the other Ethernet cables mitigate, which is quite important, is common-mode noise.

With respect to conducting experiments examining many variables, this is easily handled by conducting a "screening DOE" (Design of Experiments). JMP's Definitive Screening Design DOE platform is perfect for this. The functional response should likely be threshold jitter and phase noise.

Using Definitive Screening Designs to Get More Information from Fewer Trials - JMP User Community
 
Puma Cat said:
What virtually none of the other Ethernet cables mitigate, which is quite important, is common-mode noise.

With respect to conducting experiments examining many variables, this is easily handled by conducting a "screening DOE" (Design of Experiments). JMP's Definitive Screening Design DOE platform is perfect for this. The functional response should likely be threshold jitter and phase noise.

Using Definitive Screening Designs to Get More Information from Fewer Trials - JMP User Community
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You can make it as scientific as you want, as far as I understand you conducted your ethernet cable test in your own system and that's fine, but that does not mean that your "best" ethernet cable is the best suitable cable for other systems.
 
If I were given a choice between a audiophile grade network cable vs audiophile network switch, I will opt for the later.
 
Devg said:
If I were given a choice between a audiophile grade network cable vs audiophile network switch, I will opt for the later.
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In my implementation involving a copper ethernet cable, the switch doesn't come into play. This is a direct ethernet connection between the NAS and the streamer/DAC.
 
jmusica said:
In my implementation involving a copper ethernet cable, the switch doesn't come into play. This is a direct ethernet connection between the NAS and the streamer/DAC.
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Yeah, that's ideal. One less device, less potential issues from the clocks and transformers of that device, and one less power supply in the chain. And one less power cord. Being able to go straight into the back the P1 with optical from the EtherREGEN in the server room is really, really nice. Oh, and nice and quiet, too. BTW, I put all the music server network components in the "remote server room" onto the new Shunyata PS10 power supply late last week, and...Man! BIG improvement. Now, I just need to find a clean quiet linear power supply for the Pace router.
 
Devg said:
If I were given a choice between a audiophile grade network cable vs audiophile network switch, I will opt for the later.
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They're both equally important, but for different reasons because they each mediate different transfer functions. Just one example, the audiophile network switch will not remove common-mode noise, which a Shunyata Alpha or better Ethernet cable will.
 
nicoff said:
Some folks will claim to hear differences/improvements.
While others will rely on test results to show that ethernet cables do not make an audible difference (for example, Archimago's Musings: MEASUREMENTS: Ethernet Cables and Audio...)
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Except that's not what he found at all. All he showed was that he was unable to construct a test that could detect the differences people report that they are hearing. Anyone who understands science knows that broad conclusions cannot be drawn from tests that find no differences. His hypothesis was that if there were differences they would show up in the measurements he selected. The results didn't align so he would have to construct a different hypothesis as shown in the flow chart.

2013-updated_scientific-method-steps_v6.png
 
After the powercords in my system, the ethernet cable between switch and streamers makes the biggest difference. My system seems to be less sensitive regarding speakercable and interconnects.

dCS is recommending a standard unshielded ethernetcable, but I prefer a shielded or a floating shield cable in that position.
Differences are easy to hear, no "golden" ears required.

4G/5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, DECT Phones, power supplies, digital gear, power grid, all can have their influence IMHO, you just have to find the right cable for your system.
 
Just the same I found going from a freebie cat4 to Supra Cat8.
Better acoustic instruments details and speed, timbre from streaming music.
 
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