I got the WW from uncle Wally at Underwood Hi Fi for $640 so it wasn’t that bad. I wouldn’t spend $3k on an Ethernet cable or an USB cable either. The price of these cables are getting out of context of what the DS cost. There’s a certain point where paying more is not worth what little you gain in SQ.
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The uplift in performance was not subtle when I switched all my Ethernet cables to WireWorld Platinum 8.
Sooner or later you will join @waymanchen11 and me.
« Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated » 
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It amuses me that you mention the DS DAC in a conversation about Ethernet cables. Most people here claim the DSD is poisoned by the Bridge II and only becomes useful after you remove it.
I find these thoughts unreliable.
I think he will or currently uses the cables with N-03T
Yes, Serhan is right. The Esoteric streams from a NAS, so it relies on the quality of connection between NAS and streamer. My former Aurender has it’s own storage and the Ethernet cable makes no difference whatsoever on sound. I don’t know anything about the bridge. Never used it.
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I would say that I find it hard to believe that this is universally true. Based on general experience, lots of factors in folks’ systems could lead to a better sound, sans Bridge.
That said, the Bridge II as deployed in my system has provided the best performing, streaming experience in my system to date. However, I have not devoted myself to taking a different approach intended to optimize the use of one of the other DS DAC inputs. So, I can’t say the Bridge naysayers are objectively wrong. I just don’t share there experiences.
Philosophically yours,
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Did you try the RAL ethernet cable?
I’m enjoying this discussion. Thanks to all who are contributing.
I’m about to embark on a comparison of USB cables between my Innuos Zen Mk3 server/streamer and the DS DAC. I’m getting five mid-cost cables from the lending library at the Cable Company, with models from Shunyata, Stealth, Cardas, Synergistic, and Audience. I will compare those to my current DH Labs Mirage USB.
After I get the USB situation figured out, I’m going to take on the ethernet cable question. I currently have a 50-ft run of BJC CAT-6A from a Netgear router to the Zen, and it sounds pretty good. I tried using a Netgear Ethernet switch close to the Zen, with a 1m Supra CAT-8 Ethernet running from the switch to the Zen, but I’m getting better sound without the switch in the system. I’m thinking about trying the 8Switch instead of the Netgear and then adding a Shunyata Alpha Ethernet from the 8Switch to the Zen. I’m also considering replacing the long BJC run with a better Ethernet cable, but most of the more highly regarded cables are disturbingly expensive in a 20m run. I’m seriously considering the DH Labs Reunion Ethernet, which is more moderately priced. Thus far, I’ve avoided the EtherRegen, fiber optic conversions, and other Ethernet tweaks, but these approaches may eventually come into the picture.
In my search for online opinions, I’ve seen lots of love for the more expensive Shunyata Ethernet cables, but even the lower end Venom Ethernet gets really expensive in a 20m run. My Innuos Zen seems to do a pretty good job of treating/isolating the LAN jack for Ethernet input on the back of the unit, so maybe I don’t need as many Ethernet “clean-up” boxes as I would if I were using an unmodified laptop feeding my DAC.
Any additional advice on Ethernet cables and switches would be much appreciated.
Nope. I ordered two cables from RAL, that’s enough.
I would put a LPS on the Netgear switch. That alone will give you a big boost rven before changing ethernet cords.
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Thanks!
@Vmax I’m not sure I want to invest more in the Netgear switch if I’m going to consider upgrading to the 8Switch in the long run. It’s interesting that the EE folks who make that switch don’t recommend replacing the stock power supply on the 8Switch with an LPS - but maybe an LPS could work well anyway. Do you have any suggestions on an LPS that would be a good match for both the Netgear GS105 and the 8Switch?
It looks like the Furutech LAN-8 is at a similar price point to the DH Reunion. I wonder which sounds better - or even if they sound pretty much the same.
EtherREGEN and Sonore Optical Modules are very good devices. For 20m run, i would seriously consider converting to fiber upstream using something like EdgeRouter X SFP with SFP fiber port, inexpensive, and then to a switch with SFP or Optical Module and then to EtherREGEN. I agree with recommendation for LPS for switch and even modem and router. I like LPS on EtherREGEN, but results are still quite good with the included SMPS Uptone provides. Fiber itself and SFP’s are modest in price. LPS’s can mount up in cost but can be repurposed for other devices or sold and market good on EtherREGEN and Optical Module–current models are Deluxe which can accomodate Gigabit or 100Mbps. All could very well be far less expensive than 20m run of high end ethernet cable, and would guess resale market better as well.
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I am assuming the eight switch is still a Net Gear? The netgear product brochure states 12V 1.0 amp. Any LPS like zero zone is an improvement or ebay Chinese LPS. These are generally adjustable voltage internal.
These are quite good. They sound better than the smaller SGCLPS for less money. They can be adjusted internal for higher or lower voltage easily too.
If you have money spring for a HDPlex 300 if you need up to four LPS in one box
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Vmax,
The 8Switch is a audio-focused switch from English Electric (which is part of the Chord Company), and it costs around $600.
Thanks for the other info about LPS options.
@further Thanks for the great info. I’m considering conversion to fiber, but still am not sure I’m ready to go this route. Same with the EtherREGEN. I’ve just recently opened up my mind to the possibility that digital cables can sound very different from each other. I’ve only had my Innuos Zen for 6 weeks, and I don’t yet know what sound quality expectations for it are realistic. And then there’s the Innuos Phoenix USB re-clocker that’s been getting rave reviews and tempting me to spend money on that instead of focusing on tweaking the Ethernet route with lots of little boxes and power supplies. So right now, I’m mostly in learning and demo mode, which makes your information very helpful.
My Inakustik cable arrived today from Worldwide Wholesales. It appears to have gotten here in under 48 hours from the time I ordered it. I am so very impressed!
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You might be interested in this. Long video, skip to the end for conclusions.
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I enjoyed this network switch shootout video.
My next upgrade will be the Paul Pang Quad Switch to my Auralic Aries G2 Streaming Transporter.
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