?Ethernet cable for your N10

[imprezap2]

if all bit perfect data streams will sound the same, I don't understand why my Melco N1A sounds different then my Aurender N100H connected to the same DAC, I do think that manufacturers can do "clever" things to isolate the units of any "noise" that can come with USB and TCP/IP connections.

exciting hobby this streaming busines ;-)

[imprezap2]

No, this one is definitely not in my head, the Melco sounds different then the Aurender, both connected to the same DAC. (Devialet 200)

Same network, same USB cable, same power cable, same DAC.

Maybe the Aurender "puts" more noise back into the power supply that influences the performance of my DAC. But there is reproducible audible difference between the two streamers.

To make it clear, both streamers connected to the network TCP/IP, but streaming from their internal drives over USB to my DAC/AMP.
(My DACS don't have a ethernet port to stream TCP/IP, and the Aurender does not have this option anyway))

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Blueoak

That's USB .. I have no expertise in that. If it was Ethernet + TCP/iP, we could easily test it.

I think I've beat this thread into submission and will bow out now

Thanks for your contribution. Useful info.

[Tecknik1]

Correct me if Im wrong but isn't that a fiber optic cable you posted Blueoak?

[Slimbo]

Placebo or not I upgraded from good quality cat 6 cables from my modem to my router and another from my router to my Sim 380 dac. I upgraded to Audioquest Vodka a .5 meter from the modem to router and a 3 meter cable from the router to my Sim dac. There is a noticeable improvement and it's easy to test by just changing the cables back. All I can say that perhaps it's black magic but I can do the swap out with other people here and they hear the same improvement.

[Slimbo]

Originally Posted by Blueoak

Definitely placebo/bias/whatever you want to call. What you just described isn't possible. I'm not being mean, but does it make your pictures sharper, too? Was a rhetorical question .. no it does not.

I can only go with what I hear and I hear a noticeable difference and an overall improvement. My Vodka Ethernet cables are not coming out of my system. Perhaps one of the dealers in San Francisco would let you demo a cable or two?

[Tecknik1]

While I agree I haven't heard a difference in SQ with Fiber Optic and I have tried three different brands their is definitely a difference in SQ with Ethernet cables. Of course you seem to be pointing out the specs of these cables vs SQ.

[imprezap2]

Originally Posted by Blueoak

That's USB .. I have no expertise in that. If it was Ethernet + TCP/iP, we could easily test it.

I think I've beat this thread into submission and will bow out now

not fully, but let's leave it like that :-)

[The Lost Bears]

Originally Posted by Slimbo

Placebo or not I upgraded from good quality cat 6 cables from my modem to my router and another from my router to my Sim 380 dac. I upgraded to Audioquest Vodka a .5 meter from the modem to router and a 3 meter cable from the router to my Sim dac. There is a noticeable improvement and it's easy to test by just changing the cables back. All I can say that perhaps it's black magic but I can do the swap out with other people here and they hear the same improvement.

I too recently upgraded all my generic Ethernet cables to Audioquest Forest. I can also tell a difference. The other thing is that the overall quality is a lot better. I was not going to spend a fortune on a cable going from my cable modem to my router or to my NAS. But I think using a well made quality cable over a cheap generic cable is a worthwhile investment.

[nicoff]

I realize that this topic is about ethernet cables, however since several folks have inquired about USB cables, perhaps the following link might shed some light on "good USB cables" (i.e., good shield and good construction capable of bit-perfect data transmission) and "bad USB cables" (i.e., poorly shielded and incapable of transmitting bit-perfect data).

The article illustrates (using audio samples) what bad USB cables and good USB cables sound like. It also concludes that good USB cables need not cost an arm and a leg.

http://archimago.blogspot.ca/2014/01...ad-usb-or.html