Thanks @torbenrick . I’d read that in theory UPC are technically superior so had already ordered them.
If I look at the different comments in this thread, I find it very interesting that a respected company like BJC offers CAT6A cables are not grounded at either end.
Torben
Nothing wrong with that. The CAT6A specifications in fact supports about 7 different combinations of shielded/unshielded cable configurations, including S/FTP and UTP (though not all configurations are commonly found in the consumer market).
THX @Anupc
So if you take:
CAT6A S/FTP +
and makes sure that NOT grounded at either end, than that would be OK?
Torben
Yes, I believe so. Assuming by “not grounded” you mean neither the cable drain-wire nor the foils/shields are in contact with the Telegärtner RF45 connector.
@Anupc Yes - I mean both.
Would this cable setup than be one of the 7?
and what is than called?
THX
Torben
I don’t quite follow your question.
Augmented CAT 6 cables (a.k.a CAT6A) have multiple shielded and unshielded versions. For example, here’s Leviton’s list of CAT6A cable types;
Just forget my Q
Got an interesting email from BJC:
“Right, the foil shield is passive and would only help with cable-to-cable crosstalk, not noise protection. Realistically there isn’t any noise operating in those frequencies, and the pairs utilize common mode noise rejection anyway.”
Torben
This statement seems to support what @Anupc has explained in prior posts…
The important part here is that “not grounded” only seems to work against cable-to-cable crosstalk not noise. So this setup won’t help against noise:
I need shielded CAT cables that don’t create ground-loop or acts like an antenna.
That is what I am looking for!
Torben
I wonder if you might have misunderstood BJC’s email.
“Right, the foil shield is passive and would only help with cable-to-cable crosstalk, not noise protection. Realistically there isn’t any noise operating in those frequencies, and the pairs utilize common mode noise rejection anyway.”
They meant that the foil-shield on the 4 twisted-pairs of cables is designed to reduce the cross-talk between those 4 pair of twisted-cables. Nothing more. And it’s not related to grounding or not.
May I ask why you believe you need shielded CAT cables?
Noise protection.
Torben
dCS has advised this forum to use unshielded, certified, Ethernet cables.
dCS (@Andrew):
“I have a unique position in the industry as the “network streaming guy” for one of the premier digital audio manufacturers so I could easily have any audiophile cable currently available. I still chose the basic unshielded cable that passed certification.”
@keiserrg - Thanks I know.
But I am still looking for a shielded solution without potential ground loop and antenna.
Torben
Got it.
To each their own then : )
People think I am crazy for keeping my three boxes on the floor. Oh well …
The primary purpose of shielding on Ethernet cables is to prevent EMI from coupling to the high frequency/relatively-low-voltage Ethernet signals on the cable.
Major sources of EMI are poor electrical points with harmonic signals, any antenna-like structure, or Power cable which radiate harmonics (instead of a proper AC signal), all near your Ethernet cable.
If you have one or more of those near your HiFi, then you have much bigger problems that you need to go solve, rather than “applying a band-aid” with shielded Ethernet cables.
Normal homes don’t have strong enough EMI that can couple to unshielded Ethernet cables. Radio waves, WiFi signals, Microwave Ovens, etc etc., are not strong enough to do anything to a properly certified CAT5/5e/6/6A unshielded Ethernet cable connected to a dCS DAC.
I agree with this. The dCS implementation is first class.
I may have misunderstood.
If you use copper ethernet and have a decent noise-killing switch just before your streamer then it will kill almost all noise either transmitted from the router end of things or picked up along the way. If you use optical instead, ditto. The only connection you need to be concerned about at all is the short unshielded ethernet cable from final switch or FMC to streamer. You can buy stock cables as short as 25cm.
I currently use Telegärtner CAT6 U/UTP (LSZH) from the socket in the wall to the switch and other devices. The “25cm” are 50cm (from FMC to streamer/DAC) in my setup.
Torben
Just sharing that just for fun/experiment, replaced last leg of 20 ft from wall to my system with this cable below that definitely brought in a positive change of such a degree that it is difficult to go back to Tripplite Cat 5 that I earlier had. https://www.showmecables.com/category-8-25-to-40gig-ethernet-cable-assembly-s-ftp-overall-braid-with-individually-shielded-pairs-rj45-male-plug-24awg-solid-lszh