David, Have you received any PMs from me? I have sent but they seem to have not been recorded in my message folder.
Hi All,
Having an Ethernet cable that is shielded at both ends is not in itself an issue - where it CAN become an issue is when you are connecting the streamer to a piece of network kit that happens to have an electrically noisy ground - the shield will then connect that electrically noisy ground to the ground of the streamer and that CAN then cause noise to be introduced back into the streamer that shouldnât be there and doesnât need to be there ⌠again it is not a given that it WILL cause issues as we do put a lot of work into the grounding (as everything else) on our designs to try to ensure that everything in the way of unwanted noise is drained / rejected.
I hope that helps.
P
12 Likes
Thanks Phil for that confirmationđ
With 8 likes (so far) I think Philâs post accurately summarizes dCS users take on shielded vs unshielded cables.
I would be curious to see poll results of how many are using boutique audiophile ethernet cables vs. standard compliant âgenericâ ones (BlueJeans etc.) as recommended by dCS.
As you asked I use âgenericâ type ones (Belden Catsnake) . I have no feeling that I am missing anything ( except expectation bias 
).
I donât understand why it is necessary to make the expectation bias comment even with the emoji.
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And yes I am using a multiple shielded (floating screen) ethernet cable (Sablon Audio)
I am still amazed about differences in SQ when changing something in the datastream.
Recently installed a LHY AS8 pro switch, even changing out the internal SFPâs make a difference.
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It means that I am sceptical about the insane prices charged for some cables without any supporting evidence or anything better than an assertion from the manufacturer that they provide a benefit.
As for subjective opinion as anyone can like anything I find these unreliable. However having spent large sums on bits of wire I would expect skewed expectations of performance from the buyer.
Yes cables make a difference but where is the evidence that a ,say, ÂŁ2000 cable is better than a ÂŁ200 one?
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Thatâs fine, but why project these views on other people who have experienced changes with different cables.
And I do agree cables can be very expensive, too expensive even.
But the same applies for dCS products, are they really value for money, or is it a small manufacturer in a niche market.
I have no problem if people prefer generic cat 5 ethernet cables in their systems, but to file any other (maybe more expensive) cable under âexpectation biasâ is not necessary on this forum
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I have and use catsnake cables.
I use a 15m and 5m length between router and switch, then between my 2 switches.
If i use another length between my last switch and vivaldi upsampler i certainly get a less dynamic, duller sound compared to swapping this for the shunyata omega cable in the last meter.
I have done many blind tests with different ethernet cables on my current system and you can hear differences.
Obviously it not huge difference but like most things once you hear the difference itâs hard to go, just like adding say a clock to the system.
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Nordost Valhalla-2
My direct experience is with an Ethernet cable I have on loan from my reseller. I am pretty happy with a cat5 utp BlueJeans cable. When I tested the new one, I distinctly heard that I had lost clarity, perspective, and background âblacknessâ. I studied the instructions and found out that this one is a shielded cable.
Andrea
1 Like