Incidentally, given data is sent over ethernet cables in error-checked packets, which have absolutely nothing to do with the audio information that it contains, how can an ethernet cable possibly have a sound signature?
You don’t know what’s in the packet until it’s decoded and cable issues will reject packets at random if not completely. It’s completely impossible for failure to apply to coded data of specific frequency information.
As said before, no cable can improve anything, it can only degrade less. The cheapest cables usually giver 100% performance, so there is no degradation to eliminate.
The linkup starts at 1 meter ready-made. It has high-quality connections similar to the Telegärtner ones and comes with a measurement report. I compared it to the Audioquest Vodka. And in contrast to vodka, the price is very friendly. You have to try it yourself and decide if it’s a worthwhile investment. Greetings Andrew
So you are saying that the negative effect of reflection cannot apply to fiber ? However fiber network broadcasting companies claim that reflection can be a major threat. The total light reflected back to the laser source should be kept at minimum level to assure a stable output light. It’s even potentially more problematic with short distance cables.
I don’t know if fiber cable itself has an impact or not. However, could a better connector with ultra low loss have a beneficial effect ?
And I’m afraid the cables that sound worse are because they’re not built to CAT standards and aren’t isolating the 5V line.
So when you get a cable that sounds so much better, it’s probably simply because it’s actually properly built to CAT standards.
But that again won’t affect sound signature in anyway other than limiting noise. But any true CAT cable will achieve that same result.
There are soooooo many cables out there, expensive ones included that don’t meet CAT standards.
I’m totally on board with paying extra for over the top shielding or connector quality or sheathing, totally makes sense to me. But a CAT certified cable doesn’t improve anything by wire material or even shielding. That’s not how digital data is transported.
If your connector is reflecting to that point, it’s because it’s either broken or doesn’t meet standards. That just doesn’t happen I’m afraid if you’re using proper equipment. A home fiber setup is not even remotely similar to what broadcasting companies will be using, and their data throughput will be in a completely different league. But again, this wouldn’t affect sound signature in any way, that isn’t possible, that data is within the sealed packets, all it would do would be to drop packs. But that’s an error with setup somewhere, it’s not related to the cabling (assuming it’s legitimately certified to standards)
These Linkup cables have a lot of bad reviews - very fragile connectors, poor construction and fake certificates (different length reported, certified working but with pins missing and not working, etc.)
No such problems with Veetop, a few broken clips and someone complained the cable was too short!
The connectors inside are not similar to the Telegärtner. I can see why problems arise.
If you are right, I guess my friend and I have been extremely unlucky with our previous connectors…
For 2 different system but using the exact same equipment including the same fiber optic transceivers in each for comparisons. 2-3 different single mode optic cables from Amazon/Ebay (i.e. 10GTek or Tripp Lite) that should meet the standards from their documentation sounded the same. When we switched to Optospan, the improvement was not subtitle at all.
From what you claim, all connectors we tested from 10GTek or Tripp Lite should have been broken or not meeting the standards despite the companies’ provided specs ? I don’t know what to say …
You don’t buy fibre from Amazon or eBay if you’re looking for professional grade I’m afraid, that’s where you’re going wrong.
There’s so many sham companies out there stating it’s compliant with some generic certificate. They’re just fake products basically. If you buy from reputable pro IT sellers from established IT sites, you know you’ll get something legit. Stick with Cisco, Juniper or Uiquiti for the optics and you know you’re safe.
And amazon cannot be trusted in any way for reviews, it’s literally a 5 minute job to generate thousands of verified 5 star reviews.
Why trust internet reviews?
Each cable is tested after completion and a measurement report with a serial number is included. I assume that the minimum requirement according to cat 8 is met and certified. Does your mentioned cable or an Audioquest or other manufacturer have a log of the measurement results ? I am assuming that you have not tested a linkup yourself. The cheap plastic plugs of your mentioned cable will probably not correspond to cat 8. The Linkup plugs are fully shielded, which is probably not the case with plastic plugs. It is not much use to equip a cat 8 cable with cat 5,6,7 plugs and then claim it corresponds to cat 8. Kind regards Andrew
If you buy a £15 fibre cable from Amazon, if you plug it in it will either work or not. You also have green indicator lights with media converters. For copper ethernet, a £10 continuity tester gives you 8 green lights and you’re ready to go.
The major fibre cable manufacturers have Amazon stores, I bought from Beyondtech and Lindy. I just google them and check they are legit.
I get almost all of my IT stuff from broadbandbuyer.com, who are the main Ubiquiti supplier in the UK. Incredible customer support as well and they provide 3 years free Ubiquiti hosting. The CAT6a cables range from £0.50 to £1/m.
I needed a quiet 16-port 2xSFP switch. They are about £300. broadbandbuyer.com sold me a £100 unit and gave me the link for two upgrade fans from Amazon for £10 and it was 10 minutes to install.
I do recommend AQ Pearl from under floors and through walls as they have really good thick and tough covers.
Linkup use a series of fulfilment stores and virtual offices. They are certainly not from the UK, their UK address is a lock-up garage. They are most likely fronts for a Chinese business.
Did you notice the test number on the certificate is not on the package, only the product code, it cold easily be a generic test. See one complaint below.
It is double insulated, so is good for long range PoE. It was fully exposed during building works for 4 months, so I wanted a really strong cable and with easily replaceable connectors if they got damaged, hence the Telegartner. It costs the same price as AQ Pearl CAT7 plus the connectors.
Supra are known for their fantastic build quality.
I will receive a set of Finisar 1318 transceivers (singlemode) today, and I have a cheap singlemode fiber optic cable (Flypro?) that I can try to compare with multimode F.O. In a few days I should receive the Corning SMF28 singlemode F.O. which costs three time over Flypro. I will find out if there is any SQ difference among these.
The Scanspot order will not be here for a few more weeks, by then I should have a good idea how much difference, if any, can different modes, transceivers, and F.O. cables make.
My favorite is the Teradac 212 as a converter behind the moden. In front of the streamer I have a Melco S100 switch. I’m still waiting for the results which sfp modules and fiber optic cables give the best results. Adopt has an upgrade kit with single mode modules and fiber optics. But maybe you will find out that other modules and fiber optic cables still outperform.
The single mode Finisar1318 transceiver plus a $8 FO cable seems to produce the most detailed and smoothest SQ in my streaming chain. It took 6 hours to settle in, and there’s no question single mode is the way to go.
But I inserted a M-1 fuse yesterday too just to confuse myself. The improvement could be all from the fuse alone. I will evaluate more seriously in a couple of weeks.
Not to mention U2 needs 200 hours of break in itself.
