Multiple ethernet cables: have to be same quality everywhere? Or?

Cables
1

My system uses 4 Ethernet cables, and I’m not sure if they all be the same same level of quality. Here are the cables I’m using, and where:

Cable modem to router: AudioQuest Cinnamon
Router to English 8Switch: Chord C-Stream
English 8Switch to Roon Nucleus: AudioQuest Cinnamon
English 8Switch to AirLens: Snake River Boomslang Digital

I have two questions:

  1. Obviously the Snake River Boomslang is the best cable (English 8Switch to AirLens). Is this the optimal place for my best cable?

  2. Will it make a significant difference if I replace some or all of the other 3 cables with Snake River Boomslangs? I’m not sure. I do know that it would really put a dent in my wallet to do this.

Opinions? Thanks to all in advance.

2

I would not rely on opinion to guage if spending a ton on cables will improve your system. It is very system dependant. However, having good quality cables aligned with the capabilities of your rig makes sense.

Take your cheapest cable a switch it with your best. Can you hear the difference?

I just did this with XLRs and speaker cable.

I would be inclined to think the digital side might be even more nuanced, but im sure some other folks will chime in here.

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3

I have tried and use a variety of somewhat expensive Ethernet cables. In my experience trying to hear the differences between Ethernet cables is impossible for me. If one makes a difference over another I don’t seem able to hear and appreciate it.

I am not a person who denies the effect cables can have. Far from it. But Ethernet cables make the least difference in my experience.

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4

Unlike Al in my system Ethernet cables can bring different results, we discussed this many times. The Grimm stuff surely counts.

You may try different combinations to find out what happens in your system. It costs nothing…

Good luck!

And a filter like the Muon Pro could be another useful device to take into consideration.

5

Thank you. “Grimm stuff”???

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Grimm MU2 and MU1. Here on this forum you can find a dedicated thread with thousands of posts (thanks to Al, as usual).

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7

I am a very strong believer in the MUON Pro. I have no difficulty hearing its improvements.

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8

Often it is the last cable in front of the component that has a greater impact. But I agree with the recommendation of a Networks Acoustics Muon pro or ENO 2 and would assume that you would get more benefit from one of the filters than from swapping the Ethernet cables. An LPS for a switch also makes a difference in sound.

Greetings Andreas

9

My recommendation is to get a standard ethernet cable, swap it in place, one at a time then listen after swapping it in to see if you hear a difference. If you don’t the cable you swapped out is not making a difference in the sound quality.

Repeat this process until you’ve tested all the cables.

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10

That’s a good idea, thanks.

11

Noise isolation is crucial in reducing digital noise in the streaming chain. Does a better ethernet cable improve the sound? Yes, it does. However, if your system has embedded higher digital noises then the benefit of a cable is limited. You should implement noise isolation measures by installing fiberoptic link, filter, and audiophile switches first. Then you will hear better results from a better cable.

The ethernet cable closest to the streamer is the most important one, and you will hear the most improvement from this link. The order of importance will trickle down from there. I use a F.O. link and heard little difference from ethernet cables after it.

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12

Agree — my best cable (snake river boomslang) connects my airlens with my 8switch, will investigate filters.

13

Two suggestions for filters:

Stack Audio SmoothLan for low cost and it’s the best in this price range.
Muon Pro or Muon Pro System which includes a great streaming cable. This is the top-of-line filter on the market currently.

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14

Thanks! I know very little re ethernet filters …