Chord Ethernet cables
Posted by: james n on 05 November 2013
Sarum TA Ethernet anyone ?
I have two cinnamons connected via a cheap Rj45 coupler from the NAS to the GS108 switch. Thought I'd give it a try - didn't really make any difference so my ground/power must be sorted. Left it mi place just in case, though will find a cheap UTP connector so I can get one of the cinnamons back.
I would say the Cinnamons sound somewhat hard, not harsh per se (Poor choice of words). I am thoroughly enjoying the sound of my set up but always interesting to see if one can do better without too much outlay (I'm done for now with boxes according to both my wife and my pocket book).
Bud, putting switching devices - I assume you mean SMPS (wall warts & their kin) - on the same supply as your player & amp is well know to be a possible RFI noise problem
But were are not talking about power grounds or SMPS separation.....
My previous set up with an all CAT7 network I thought was dead quiet, & until I started reading up on it in the pro level publications for network installers I was quite happy. But once I realised what I had was 2 grounds the 2nd was at my NAS via its SMPS to protective earth (ground) I had an itch that I had to scratch & found a male to female RJ45 adaptor & that fixed it, I still have an all Cat7 network, but now with the ground at the NAS isolated, I have only 1 shield ground at the NDX.
I got this done last week & although not massive, it is better, especially in bass texture & detail in both treble & stereo focus.
What switch do you have ???
Ah-ha looks like problem solved
Although the spec does not say as much, the picture looks like unshielded ports so your ethernet cable shields do not link thru the switch & connect to the other shields & whatever 2nd or 3rd ground you might have
My switch - & many/most others - has metal shrouded shields & cross links all the network shields
I guess it's just blind luck. The SQ of my system was much better when I installed the switch.
Actually, this switch has been performing perfectly. Not a hint of hum or noise.
Bud
OK, I can see from the pictures, that switch is primarily designed for UTP cables, it doesn't earth the Ethernet shields.
Ha Mike, you got there first this time!
I guess it's just blind luck. The SQ of my system was much better when I installed the switch.
What did this switch replace ?
And when did the Cinnamons arrive, before or after switch. ?
I found an improvement going from the first switch in the picture to a second.
I originally had the NAS and UServe in my office plugged into the router with Cat 5e. The music was streamed through an Airport Express into my family room.
I replaced the Cat 5e with Cinnamon without much improvement. Then I moved the NAS and UServe into the family room and connected everything up through the switch.
After the change, there was a dramatic improvement in SQ. I assumed it was because I was eliminating the Airport Express.
Bud
I found an improvement going from the first switch in the picture to a second.
I've thought about a different switch but now I'm not so sure.
Bud
I originally had the NAS and UServe in my office plugged into the router with Cat 5e. The music was streamed through an Airport Express into my family room.
I replaced the Cat 5e with Cinnamon without much improvement. Then I moved the NAS and UServe into the family room and connected everything up through the switch.
After the change, there was a dramatic improvement in SQ. I assumed it was because I was eliminating the Airport Express.
Bud
Yup I agree those Airport Express things don't beat a cable
Re changing to another switch
You might be jumping into multiple ground issues - so maybe sticking with what you have is a good move
I originally had the NAS and UServe in my office plugged into the router with Cat 5e. The music was streamed through an Airport Express into my family room.
I replaced the Cat 5e with Cinnamon without much improvement. Then I moved the NAS and UServe into the family room and connected everything up through the switch.
After the change, there was a dramatic improvement in SQ. I assumed it was because I was eliminating the Airport Express.
Bud
Probably right, WiFi connections can drop Ethernet frames and give the streamer more work to do. Alternatively it may be that the switch puts less RFI into it's Ethernet cables than the Airport Express does.
However what you've shown is a switch not a Broadband Router or Consumer Hub. How do you do your internet connection?
What cable were you using from the Airport Express to the streamer?
What cable are you now using from the switch to the streamer?
I originally had the NAS and UServe in my office plugged into the router with Cat 5e. The music was streamed through an Airport Express into my family room.
I replaced the Cat 5e with Cinnamon without much improvement. Then I moved the NAS and UServe into the family room and connected everything up through the switch.
After the change, there was a dramatic improvement in SQ. I assumed it was because I was eliminating the Airport Express.
Bud
Probably right, WiFi connections can drop Ethernet frames and give the streamer more work to do. Alternatively it may be that the switch puts less RFI into it's Ethernet cables than the Airport Express does.
However what you've shown is a switch not a Broadband Router or Consumer Hub. How do you do your internet connection?
What cable were you using from the Airport Express to the streamer?
What cable are you now using from the switch to the streamer?
I still have a connection from the switch to the router via the AE for control with nServe and nStream and also for iRadio. I have Cinnamon's from the NAS, the UServe and the NDX into the switch. I have a couple of C-Streams coming which I'm going to use to replace the UServe and NDX cables.
If and when I get linear supplies for the UServe and switch, I want to move them to the Fraim. I'll leave the NAS and the AE in the cabinet it's in now. I'll use a 3 meter Cinnamon to connect the AE to the switch and a 3 meter C-Stream to connect the NAS to the switch. The UServe and NDX will connect to the switch with 1.5 meter C-Serves.
The AE and the NAS will remain connected to a different power outlet.
Bud
If and when I get linear supplies for the UServe and switch, I want to move them to the Fraim. I'll leave the NAS and the AE in the cabinet it's in now. I'll use a 3 meter Cinnamon to connect the AE to the switch and a 3 meter C-Stream to connect the NAS to the switch. The UServe and NDX will connect to the switch with 1.5 meter C-Serves.
The AE and the NAS will remain connected to a different power outlet.
Bud
To me that sounds like a good set-up, I can't see any obvious flaws, no guarantees of course!