Best Lan/Ethernet Cable?

[bvdiman]

Hi, Looking for advice on this particular type link. There are only three high end manufacturers so far I'm aware of that make them ~ Audioquest with their Diamond, Acoustic Revive Lan1.5 PA.. And recently heard, the Synergistic's Core Active. Any other contenders worth checking out? Has anybody had any experience with comparisons? As it is a pre-order only option here locally, I'll probably have to be buying/ordering blind. Your thoughts and/or inputs will be much appreciated.

I wouldn't get too fussed about ethernet cable. There is no such thing as an "audiophile" ethernet cable. Ethernet cables are standarised to carry data in packetised form. The local standard in Australia is Cat5 cable. So sorry to be the one to break it, but cable companies selling audiophile lan cables are peddling snake oil..

[TOGA]

http://www.aim-ele.co.jp/english/pro...eldio_na3.html


And they do sound different. I use ACoustic Revive. Huge improvement.

Toga

[essjay]

Originally Posted by Bodhisattva

I wouldn't get too fussed about ethernet cable. There is no such thing as an "audiophile" ethernet cable. Ethernet cables are standarised to carry data in packetised form. The local standard in Australia is Cat5 cable. So sorry to be the one to break it, but cable companies selling audiophile lan cables are peddling snake oil..

+1

[TOGA]

List of Awarded LAN cables.

From Gold, Silver, Bronze prize. The black ones are Also listed as Winners too.

http://www.visualgrandprix.com/vgp2013/vgp_p2_13.html

[MyPal]

Buy a MOLEX CAT 6a & be done with it. It is shielded & exceeds the specification with low crosstalk. It is the shielding that matters when it comes to your HiFi equipment. The fancy HiFI brands will not give you anything more when it comes to Ethernet.

I would not recommend CAT 5e for any of today's higher bandwidth applications when you can get CAT 6 for the same price. Nor would I patch HiFi with an unshielded CATegory. Eg. CAT 6.

Your CATegory performance rating will be as good as your weakest link in your infrastructure. For example, if your patch panel, keystones or wall mechs are not all rated at the same category, then up goes your crosstalk & down goes your performance. Similarly, you want a robust dedicated switch, preferably managed. If you are just patching into the back of your 5 port Internet router, forget about getting great Local Area Network (LAN) performance.

As for structured cabling to the patch panel, CAT6 solid core is now the accepted standard in Australia. You would question why an installer would even elect to pull CAT 5e in your house.

Stay away from CAT 7 patch leads. You most certainly do not have the infrastructure, will have grounding & performance issues as a consequence.

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by TOGA

List of Awarded LAN cables.

From Gold, Silver, Bronze prize. The black ones are Also listed as Winners too.

http://www.visualgrandprix.com/vgp2013/vgp_p2_13.html

Toga....I would not be at all surprised if most of those well known brands source their "chord" from the same manufacturing facility in the region.

[Rayooo]

Regarding networking...

I use HP 1800 series Ethernet switches. Do I need to get audiophile quality switches to go along with my OFC Platinum plated shielded Cryo treated Cat6 cables?

My "audio" goes through two of these switches before it gets to the player, I assume the added latency is causing problems like Muddy Bass?

Apologies, 'just a weak moment on my part.

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by Rayooo

Regarding networking...

I use HP 1800 series Ethernet switches. Do I need to get audiophile quality switches to go along with my OFC Platinum plated shielded Cryo treated Cat6 cables?

My "audio" goes through two of these switches before it gets to the player, I assume the added latency is causing problems like Muddy Bass?

Apologies, 'just a weak moment on my part.

I almost thought you were serious.

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by MyPal

I almost thought you were serious.

....and the funny part (or maybe the sad part) is that in many cases... that would/could have been a serious post!