As promised, I borrowed an additional Stealth Cat8 Ethernet cable, to compare to the Reiki JS Ethernet cable. My Stealth is still on the front end of the Reiki X switch, so the demo is between another Stealth cable and the Reiki one that feeds the PMG DAC.
I wasn’t prepared for the outcome. It was an instantaneous “holy crap” moment. Putting the Stealth in the chain after the Reiki was taking the life out of what I was hearing before. A veil had been put back, where as in the past, the Stealth had been the fog lifter.
I wish I had the Muon/Tempus/Origin combo to really dial down to see to what degree the Reiki switch and cable, by themselves, add to the party.
My rough analysis is they improve the streaming experience in roughly equal measure. Both have the ability to get out of the way and reveal inner detail.
Back in the day, I heard little difference in digital cables. Quite the opposite know. As apposed to power cords and interconnects, which have sonic characteristics, I don’t hear differences as much as an increase or decrease in clarity. If I understand the science, a properly shielded Cat8 Ethernet cable should be all you need. The Reiki JS is that but goes to greater length to reject RFI. See their one page explanation on their web site.
Cables like the Stealth, and even more so the Reiki, add to the “cables matter” argument and succeed in the digital realm as well. It’s more stuff, and more expensive stuff, but it’s part of the anti to play a serious streaming game. I hope to add Maestro to this once Apple compatible. Having CD quality (or better) streaming without getting out of my chair is really appealing.
Very interesting results! Thanks for this comparison!