New WW Platinum Starlight 8 Ethernet Cables in the House

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

This is off a Trendnet Gigbit switch.

Keep us appraised of your findings, Ivan. More data for the database!

The whole Ethernet switch thing is yet another "can of worms" with respect to digital streaming that I've been wrasslin' with of late. A number of companies (e.g. AQVox, SOtM, and soon, Uptone Audio) are releasing "audio-grade" Ethernet switchese and, it turns out, there are very good reasons for doing so: I've been doing a LOT of reseach on this (the impact of switches, Ethernet cables, FMCs, etc) over the last week or so.

It turns out that a lot of the issues from using "consumer-grade" Ethernet switches, cable modems, routers, FMCs, comes down to these devices' power supplies and clocks: 1) passing low-impedance leakage currents, 2) passing high-impedance leakage currents from switch mode power supplies 3) and cheap clocks causing clock phase noise. The impact of all these of these is quite audible. BTW, I've read that for most Ethernet switches you want put your cables into alternate RJ45 jacks, e.g. 1, 3, 5, 7, etc, but not 1&2 or 3 & 4 or 5&6, etc. Also, I've read that because of the ground arrangement, the Netgear FS105A or FS108 Ethernet switches do not pass these high-impedance leakage currents "down the line" to your clocks, DACs, etc. (they still need to be powered with linear power supplies, though, NOT SMPS).

I'm sure its less of an issue when using really nice Rubidium clocks, e.g. the G01, on DACs and CD spinners, but for us that are not using these "super-clocks", its a source of a real and very audible problems with respect to streaming configurations (the use of switches, that is).

BTW, the reasons we can very clearly hear differnces in Ethernet and USB cables is for the 3 prinicipal reasons I've cited above.

Very interesting but lots of factors to explore.

[Masterlu]

Straight off my Trendnet switch to my SilenZio

[LarsT]

I have been hesitant to upgrade Ethernet cables since I have been using a $25 switch. It seems to defy logic. I just ordered a gaming switch and will try that with a Platinum 8 and we’ll see what happens

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by LarsT

I have been hesitant to upgrade Ethernet cables since I have been using a $25 switch. It seems to defy logic. I just ordered a gaming switch and will try that with a Platinum 8 and we’ll see what happens

We're getting a bit off-topic here, and we should start a dedicated thread if our discussons continue, but if its possible to cancel your order for your "gaming" switch, or return it, and you can get a Netgear FS105A or FS108 along with a decent 7.5V linear power supply for it (e.g. a Jameco Reliapro), I would recommend that. My guess is the gaming switch will pass high-impedance leakage currents down your Ethernet cable if it uses a switch-mode power supply (and my hunch is, it does).

Also, if the WW Plat 8 is shielded with the shields connected to the Telegartner plugs, then, for the vast majority of Ethernet switches using an SMPS, the switch it will pass its high-impedance leakage current along the shield straight on through to your DAC. The key here is if the shielding in the Ethernet cable is "connected" (ground) or "floating" (ungrounded). AQ uses "floating" shielding, for example, in their Ethernet cables. I don't know what shielding configuration WW uses, but David Salz is a very sharp guy, so he may already know about this.

If you get the Netgear switch and use it with an LPS with your WW Plat 8, this will not be an issue.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

We're getting a bit off-topic here, and we should start a dedicated thread if our discussons continue, but if its possible to cancel your order for your "gaming" switch, or return it, and you can get a Netgear FS105A or FS108 along with a decent 7.5V linear power supply for it (e.g. a Jameco Reliapro), I would recommend that. My guess is the gaming switch will pass high-impedance leakage currents down your Ethernet cable if it uses a switch-mode power supply (and my hunch is, it does).

Also, if the WW Plat 8 is shielded with the shields connected to the Telegartner plugs, then, for the vast majority of Ethernet switches using an SMPS, the switch it will pass its high-impedance leakage current along the shield straight on through to your DAC. The key here is if the shielding in the Ethernet cable is "connected" (ground) or "floating" (ungrounded). AQ uses "floating" shielding, for example, in their Ethernet cables. I don't know what shielding configuration WW uses, but David Salz is a very sharp guy, so he may already know about this.

If you get the Netgear switch and use it with an LPS with your WW Plat 8, this will not be an issue.

WW Platinum Cat8’s are shielded, and floats.

[Masterlu]

I use the Trendnet TEG-S80DG w/ iFi Linear Power Supplies. These switches are getting harder so source, and can cost up to $200+ each.

They work extremely well.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

WW Platinum Cat8’s are shielded, and floats.

Ah, great! Good to know!

Thank you, Ivan!

This is great data for the "database".

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I use the Trendnet TEG-S80DG w/ iFi Linear Power Supplies. These switches are getting harder so source, and can cost up to $200+ each.

They work extremely well.

Thanks, again, Ivan, I will look into them.

If you want a simple tweak for your iFi iPower power supply, just shoot me an PM. This tweak will improve the performance of your iFi iPower power supplies with an improvement that is audible. Cheers.

[Masterlu]

PM sent

[Masterlu]

You could say these work... Extremely well.