Exactly why do Ethernet cables sound different?

Posted by: hungryhalibut on 22 June 2014

Please can someone give a scientific reason why Ethernet cables can sound different? I use AudioQuest Cinnamon, and found a very nice sonic improvement over standard cheapo Cat 6 and Cat 7 patch cords.

 

My son, who is studying EEE at Uni, insists that it is entirely a placebo effect, and being digital, different wire construction and different connectors should not make a difference. His friend's dad, who works in networking, also says it shouldn't make a difference, therefore making my son even more convinced.

 

I muttered something about RF rejection, but he's not convinced. 

 

Can someone produce a convincing argument, so that family harmony can be restored.

 

Thanks!

 

P.S. Ethan may chime in later, but if he does, under my name, he'll say that it's him, rather than me.

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by Huge
Originally Posted by EastEnder:
...

Huge, can you tell me at what points you use ferrites? Do you use a specific type/brand? Is there a specific way to use them?

 

 

Best.

Currently:

1   Everywhere a cable could introduce RFI into a box containing analogue electronics

2   On the output lead of any switched mode power supply close to the supply

3   On the mains cable feeding any switched mode power supply close to the supply (includes TV and Bluray player)

4   Both ends of all Ethernet cables

5   On the DC supply cable of any digital equipment, close to the device

6   On the mains cable of my freezer (I can't easily get to the 'fridge).

 

This may be overkill, I intend to do some subtractive tests at a future date.

 

I'm using generic clip-on ferrites bought mail order, various sizes for various cables.

Posted on: 24 June 2014 by Mike-B

I too have overkilled my system with ferrite much the same as Huge

 

I took a leaf out of the network install instructions from companies like Cisco & Ricoh,  they recommend ferrite on network devises on both ethernet  & power supply, in some cases more than one & also numbers of turns around the ferrite.

I use TDK throughout, make is not important but selecting the “right” mix can be confusing,  TBH provided you use the commonly available types you find on Flea-Bay & Amazon,  you won’t go far wrong.  

 

Where cable size permits I’ve used large sized ferrite & passed the cable thru the core a number of times – NOT the ethernets tho’.. 

 

I have ferrite on both ends of all Ethernet cables

NDX-Switch,   Switch-NAS  &   Switch-Hub (router/switch)

These are all Supra Cat7a & are screened - not sure what/how/if ferrite works with screened cables,  but I cannot detect anything detrimental.

 

Power cable (screened) to the various SMPS power-strip, 

Power cable to the Synology SMPS

All SMPS DC output cables & that includes adding additional ferrite to those that already have one factory installed. 

 

Phone cable connections to Hub & Phone.

Phone lines are probably the worst RFI noise sources especially if your property is via overhead cable,  less so if underground & less still if you are on optical – remember optical with BT Infinity is only be to the local distribution cabinet somewhere in the neighbourhood & it’s still a wire cable from the cabinet to your house.  Adding ferrite to my Hub phone supply made a noticeable difference in that a www page without ferrite was hesitant building the page graphics over a number of stages, with the ferrite it’s invariably a faster & one stage page build.  

 

Yes it might be overkill,  but I have yet to hear or see anything detrimental.