Ethernet cable quality

Posted by: GrahamFinch on 05 September 2011

I appreciate ethernet cable is transferring zeros and ones but I assume the quality of the cable and the construction of the plugs at either end will have an impact on signal quality. A DC1 digital interconnect does a similar function for £250 for a metre or so!  I have seen cheap Cat 6e on "fleabay"  which is only a fiver including postage for 20m. I am sceptical as to the quality.Equally, I know others do not believe that digital type cables can make a difference  with the view that they either work or they don'tl

 

Obviously, if I am going to the trouble of running a cable I really only want to do it once and install one that will work.

 

So can anyone please recommend a reliable good quality cable that I can get for a reasonable price in the UK? Cheers.

 

Graham

 

Posted on: 05 September 2011 by MartinCA

Hi Graham

I don't think the DC1, which carries an S/PDIF bitstream is doing quite the same job as an ethernet cable.

Ethernet sends and receives files in packets wrapped with control data, and if a packet doesn't arrive safely it gets re-sent, whereas a digital interconnect is carries music and clock information in a continuous flow and there is no re-send capability.  So a poor quality ethernet cable will still transmit files correctly - just more slowly because of re-sends. 

Also they can pick up RF noise - I read somewhere that more expensive foil shielded cables can actually create more RF noise than cheaper cables - which I don't think affects the files being transferred but could affect the analogue circuits in the receiver (but a 'choke' should cure that if it happens - there's been discussion of these in previous threads).

Personally I bought what were described as 'high quality' Cat 6 ethernet cables off Amazon.  I'm not at all convinced that they do the job any better than average quality Cat5E but the price difference was small, and the cost low especially compared to the price of the DC1 and that sort of interconnect, and I thought that maybe they will be a better long bet as high-def music starts becoming more common.

Martin

Posted on: 05 September 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Graham, at higher speeds, the Ethernet cable carry encodings that when combined are the bit pulses....but I digress ..  Cat 5e or Cat 6 is good for 1Gbps. Other than cross talk leakage from the twisted pairs into close by interconnects or mains leads, I am not sure they will have an effect on SQ. You are more likely to be impacted by a noisy switch or router sending common mode RF noise down the Ethernet lead, but rf chokes can be a remedy there. Cat 6 has a higher bandwidth than cat 5e, but both are rated to 1Gbps @ 100m, so no real benefit for Cat6 unless you wish to buy more expensive cable.
Simon
Posted on: 06 September 2011 by GrahamFinch

Martin and Simon,

Thanks for both replies.

 

I assumed that mechanical construction of cheaper cables might lead to poor signal in future, if not initially. Not knowing anything about ethernet cables I just wanted to make sure I would not be making a false economy by buying a cheap one. The fact that the cables are cheap is a bonus as it  means they would not cost a lot to replace in future but I am trying to avoid that hassle.

 

Unless anyone raises alarm bells I will choose what I think represents reasonable value for money but I would still be interested to know of any firm recommendations.

 

Cheers.

Posted on: 06 September 2011 by james n
Graham,

I bought a 100m reel of Cat5e from B&Q when I installed a wired ethernet link from my study to the lounge. It's about a 35m length which runs on the outside wall of our house and has been there for 4 years now. The cable is still in good condition despite being exposed to the elements. Just take care when fitting not to kink the cable when pulling it off the reel and don't pull it around sharp bends when attaching to brickwork. I didn't bother with wall plates. The study end terminates at the Audio switch and fhe lounge end runs into a Medical grade isolator (my only concession to Ethernet tweakery) with a short patch cable into the network player.

Hope that helps

James
Posted on: 06 September 2011 by GrahamFinch

Hi James,

Medical grade isolator

 

Thanks, can you please clarify explain what this is, what it does and where you bought it? I assume it is something to eliminate interference on the cable??

 

Graham

Posted on: 06 September 2011 by Hook

Hi Graham -

 

I wouldn't worry about ethernet cable quality.  The long runs from Monoprice, Blue Jeans, etc., work just fine.  I paid under $10 USD for my 50' cable, and in the three months or so I've had it running, I have not had a single dropout (or any glitch for that matter).   Have also used these same cheap cables for long runs to computers for many years (and again, no issues).

 

The only concession I have made to tweaking was a couple of RF chokes (held in place with a ring of Blu Tack) close to where the ethernet cable connects into my NDX.  

 

I suggest you spend the money you save on better routers and switches!

 

Good luck!

 

Hook

Posted on: 06 September 2011 by james n
Graham - it's basically an isolation transformer but of a higher grade than those found in a typical base T Ethernet port. I just found with the Linn DS player that I use i liked the subtle difference having this in circuit made. It should in theory provide additional common mode noise rejection. Of course noise will vary depending on network configuration and environment. It works for me anyway but may not for others etc.

James
Posted on: 06 September 2011 by Harry

From HDX to bridge and bridge to NAS I treated myself to some premium Audioquest CAT cables. It was a whim really. I wasn't anticipating a huge difference but I had an itch to find out. Turned out I was wrong. Because there was no difference at all. But hey....

Posted on: 06 September 2011 by GrahamFinch

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think we can close the topic now.

 

Graham