If you have a Naim NDS what Ethernet wire do you use?

Single or multiple earth points on Ethernet home networks (i.e. where only 1 connection exists from the building to the mains distribution supply) do not affect the operation of the network.  Multiple earth points only become significant in large installations with multiple mains supplies which could be on different phases or otherwise have significantly different earth potentials.

So from a home network operational perspective, there's no problem (industrial networks are a different situation).

However our networks are (usually) connected to the earth point of sensitive analogue electronics, and so just like avoiding earth loops in signal cables we need to have just one earth point in the system (analogue and digital).  This has nothing to do with the network (and everything to do with the analogue audio circuitry to which it's connected).

So, Huge.... the Lindy, should it stay or should it go? If it stays there will be trouble, and if it goes there will be double. Was Joe right?

HH - take the Lindy out - if it sounds no worse - then you have improved the reliability by simplifying the connections

S

If those cables make a difference ) clearly yes without any doubt. I don't have the knowledge for any explanation but these differences exist. I tried few of them, specially the Audioquest wth a good compromise with the cinnamon - i am "full loom" with them NAS - Switch - Wall - Streamer. Great result !

I experienced the Vodka but at that time on my system, it was too much.

greekspec2 posted:

guess that's the perk of living in the states and or having a BestBuy or credit card to put them on and demo

I can return them all if I don't like what I hear

I saw that Music Direct has 12% off accessories and Ethernet wire qualifies ! Plus free shipping and 60 day return policy!  Maybe I will order from there instead of Best Buy for trying out the AQ Vodka!  I am happy with the sound now! But several of you said the Vodka was a jump up in sound! If you can return it guess no harm in trying it.   Just wondering if ordering one from Switch to Naim NDS does the trick or do I need a longer second one to replace cinnamon Ethernet cable  to storage? 

Switch to NDS alone works just fine. When doing comparisons take time, NDS monitors clock frequency every 10-15mins, there are 512 steps so it is VERY accurate. So, listen a bit longer when doing comparisons & do not swap like after one song. Change could happen a bit earlier but just to be sure. Why? I'm sure Vodka causes a change to timings.

musicfan51 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

guess that's the perk of living in the states and or having a BestBuy or credit card to put them on and demo

I can return them all if I don't like what I hear

I saw that Music Direct has 12% off accessories and Ethernet wire qualifies ! Plus free shipping and 60 day return policy!  Maybe I will order from there instead of Best Buy for trying out the AQ Vodka!  I am happy with the sound now! But several of you said the Vodka was a jump up in sound! If you can return it guess no harm in trying it.   Just wondering if ordering one from Switch to Naim NDS does the trick or do I need a longer second one to replace cinnamon Ethernet cable  to storage? 

They won't let you use that promo on AQ products, so Bestbuy is your friend no issues when returning just drop off at your nearest location

greekspec2 posted:

musicfan51 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

guess that's the perk of living in the states and or having a BestBuy or credit card to put them on and demo

I can return them all if I don't like what I hear

I saw that Music Direct has 12% off accessories and Ethernet wire qualifies ! Plus free shipping and 60 day return policy!  Maybe I will order from there instead of Best Buy for trying out the AQ Vodka!  I am happy with the sound now! But several of you said the Vodka was a jump up in sound! If you can return it guess no harm in trying it.   Just wondering if ordering one from Switch to Naim NDS does the trick or do I need a longer second one to replace cinnamon Ethernet cable  to storage? 

They won't let you use that promo on AQ products, so Bestbuy is your friend no issues when returning just drop off at your nearest location

greekspec2 posted:

musicfan51 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

guess that's the perk of living in the states and or having a BestBuy or credit card to put them on and demo

I can return them all if I don't like what I hear

I saw that Music Direct has 12% off accessories and Ethernet wire qualifies ! Plus free shipping and 60 day return policy!  Maybe I will order from there instead of Best Buy for trying out the AQ Vodka!  I am happy with the sound now! But several of you said the Vodka was a jump up in sound! If you can return it guess no harm in trying it.   Just wondering if ordering one from Switch to Naim NDS does the trick or do I need a longer second one to replace cinnamon Ethernet cable  to storage? 

They won't let you use that promo on AQ products, so Bestbuy is your friend no issues when returning just drop off at your nearest location

greekspec2 posted:

musicfan51 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

guess that's the perk of living in the states and or having a BestBuy or credit card to put them on and demo

I can return them all if I don't like what I hear

I saw that Music Direct has 12% off accessories and Ethernet wire qualifies ! Plus free shipping and 60 day return policy!  Maybe I will order from there instead of Best Buy for trying out the AQ Vodka!  I am happy with the sound now! But several of you said the Vodka was a jump up in sound! If you can return it guess no harm in trying it.   Just wondering if ordering one from Switch to Naim NDS does the trick or do I need a longer second one to replace cinnamon Ethernet cable  to storage? 

They won't let you use that promo on AQ products, so Bestbuy is your friend no issues when returning just drop off at your nearest location

Darn!  

Gandalf_fi posted:

Switch to NDS alone works just fine. When doing comparisons take time, NDS monitors clock frequency every 10-15mins, there are 512 steps so it is VERY accurate. So, listen a bit longer when doing comparisons & do not swap like after one song. Change could happen a bit earlier but just to be sure. Why? I'm sure Vodka causes a change to timings.

Thank you for that info Gandalf. I appreciate it. 

I changed speakers some time ago so will do AQ vs. C-stream cross check once again.

 

Gandalf,

Interested to hear if you have had a chance to compare the AQ with the C-stream again?  I have recently acquired the C-Stream as my first try of a 'purpose built' ethernet cable and have been impressed with the results on my NDS.  Just wondered if the AQ Vodka moves things up the ladder again and if so, what extra you find it brings?  

Regards,

Jason

So I received the used Cisco 2960 switch.... and all is not good. For one, it's way too loud unless one has a dedicated server closet, second it wouldn't boot up so I'm sending back for a refund (just out some shipping).

Think I'll stick with the switch I have powered by the HDPLEX. Maybe the Cisco fanless model of the 2690 would work but I've only seen for $200 plus. Also read good things about the Paul Pang custom switch for $149. Lots of other things to tweak before that though. 

I am finding this thread a bit tricky to follow.......

I have an NDS with standard ethernet cable connected to a box in the wall and then either cat5/6/7 (can't remember which but it's what my dealer recommended) running up to sky router upstairs then standard Ethernet cable from router to my unitiserve. (I think I have that correct but excuse my lack of technical capability). 

If I am reading this correctly then there is a benefit of upgrading Ethernet cable from NDS to box in the wall - correct? If so then the audio quest vodka cable at c£215 would provide a benefit? 

Thanks 

Gary

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

HH - take the Lindy out - if it sounds no worse - then you have improved the reliability by simplifying the connections

S

This is interesting. Now that my right ear is working a bit better I can discern subtle changes more clearly. So I've been playing a few tracks with and without the Lindy in position. I was expecting to hear no difference based on what I'd been told above. However, that's not been the case. Without the Lindy, there is a sort of mush descending on the music, with less clarity, and the virtually silent background I get is not so silent. The music is harder to follow, and easier to ignore. So the Lindy is back, and everything is wonderful again. 

I imagine I'm getting this because of the screened cables, and AudioQuest did tell me to keep the Lindy. As James suggested above, this should not happen if screened cables aren't used. But I do like the AQ cables, which work really well. 

Anyway, I've answered my own question by listening. I've really no idea what is going on, and I've given up trying to understand. 

Id be interested to hear other people's experiences of this. To be clear, I use Vodka cables between the streamer and switch, and between the switch and the Qnap. The Lindy is used plugged into the Qnap, with the Vodka plugged into the Lindy. 

Yes interesting HH,  the fact that it sounds better with the Lindy suggests that the ethernet screen is connected at both ends & has found whatever is the downsides of more than one screen ground point.     So your slightly off tune Mk-II audio receptors are pretty good testers,  but t'would be nice if someone with a Vodka & multi-meter would run a test & to lay the myth once & for all.

fathings cat posted:

I am finding this thread a bit tricky to follow.......

I have an NDS with standard ethernet cable connected to a box in the wall and then either cat5/6/7 (can't remember which but it's what my dealer recommended) running up to sky router upstairs then standard Ethernet cable from router to my unitiserve. (I think I have that correct but excuse my lack of technical capability). 

If I am reading this correctly then there is a benefit of upgrading Ethernet cable from NDS to box in the wall - correct? If so then the audio quest vodka cable at c£215 would provide a benefit? 

Thanks 

Gary

Yes I think it would. I think the first one to provide a benefit you notice is the Cinnamon then the Vodka!  Best to buy from a place you can return cables if you do not like the difference! 

We played a bit with it yesterday,  trying Cat5 cables played them for about 30 minutes and listened to many different songs! Then switched back to the AQ Cinnamon cables, waited 15 minutes for NDS to reclock. We noticted the sound quality was better, with AQ, music sounded quicker, better timing, better clarity!  Cat5 is what I had before so that is why we compared Cat5 vs AQ. Do some listening tests for yourself. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

HH - take the Lindy out - if it sounds no worse - then you have improved the reliability by simplifying the connections

S

This is interesting. Now that my right ear is working a bit better I can discern subtle changes more clearly. So I've been playing a few tracks with and without the Lindy in position. I was expecting to hear no difference based on what I'd been told above. However, that's not been the case. Without the Lindy, there is a sort of mush descending on the music, with less clarity, and the virtually silent background I get is not so silent. The music is harder to follow, and easier to ignore. So the Lindy is back, and everything is wonderful again. 

I imagine I'm getting this because of the screened cables, and AudioQuest did tell me to keep the Lindy. As James suggested above, this should not happen if screened cables aren't used. But I do like the AQ cables, which work really well. 

Anyway, I've answered my own question by listening. I've really no idea what is going on, and I've given up trying to understand. 

Id be interested to hear other people's experiences of this. To be clear, I use Vodka cables between the streamer and switch, and between the switch and the Qnap. The Lindy is used plugged into the Qnap, with the Vodka plugged into the Lindy. 

Very interesting findings! Now I understand that the AQ Cinnamon cable is screened different from the AQ Vodka. Is this correct? 

musicfan51 posted:

Very interesting findings! Now I understand that the AQ Cinnamon cable is screened different from the AQ Vodka. Is this correct? 

No,  not correct.  Although we don't know for sure,  the HH listening test report sort of confirms what I have always suspected, that the Vodka ethernet screen has continuity to both ends.   It makes no sense to have it floating at one end only, plus add the AQ "directional" arrows & it makes even less sense.   Either have a full screen or no screen or a fully floating (passive) screen,  there is no other standard that I know of.    Like I said in my previous post,  we need someone with a Vodka (& a Cinnamon) with a multi-meter.

Mike-B posted:

musicfan51 posted:

Very interesting findings! Now I understand that the AQ Cinnamon cable is screened different from the AQ Vodka. Is this correct? 

No,  not correct.  Although we don't know for sure,  the HH listening test report sort of confirms what I have always suspected, that the Vodka ethernet screen has continuity to both ends.   It makes no sense to have it floating at one end only, plus add the AQ "directional" arrows & it makes even less sense.   Either have a full screen or no screen or a fully floating (passive) screen,  there is no other standard that I know of.    Like I said in my previous post,  we need someone with a Vodka (& a Cinnamon) with a multi-meter.

My Ethernet cables are all Cinnamon. 

Hi Nigel, glad your hearing is getting better. As far as the Lindy, indeed just do what sounds best... it could be inserting it in circuit simply changes the characteristic impedance of the balanced pairs slightly and that initself changes a load somewhere... there are so many variables when you strap bit and pieces together...  enjoying listening to my trusty vanilla CDX2 right now.. what a rocker ! It really seems to love Lou Reed..   .... although I bought it new in 2004, I'm convinced it gets better with age...

Simon

Nigel is this the Lindy you are speaking to, that improved your sound?

https://www.amazon.com/LINDY-C...-60194/dp/B001NYC6LI

If not, could you tell me what the part is exactly? Thank you

No, absolutely not. It's one of these.... (I'm sure someone has posted a picture already)

why would you guys use a crossover adapter for?

The Lindy 90 degree adaptor(s) in this discussion is not a crossover.  

I have to own up to starting this Lindy thing about 2 years ago,  I needed to isolate my all STP network from the grounded port on the NAS.  Problem was adding the extra length of a straight through adaptor would cause space problems & I started looking for a short Male to Female UTP cable or a 90 degree angle adaptor.  The Lindy was a perfect solution for both problems.

understand....what kills me is I live in the Silicon Valley home of everything computer and software and most stores sell nothing but shit

Hungryhalibut posted:

No, absolutely not. It's one of these.... (I'm sure someone has posted a picture already)

No one has posted a photo or part number for the Lindy that has been discussed as of yet!