Audioquest Ethernet Direction
Posted by: The Meerkat on 23 December 2014
Hi guys
I currently have a Topic running regarding a switch, which I have now purchased, and istalled with some dirt cheap Ethernet cables.
I'm waiting for some Audioquest Cinnamon and Forest Ethernet cables to be delivered. Hopefully 'Santa Meerkat' should get them to me by Christmas Eve. I am told that these cables are directional, so to get the best out of them, it's probably important to get the direction of the cables correct.
This is how I think it should be, but if anyone knows better, I'd be grateful of some advice. The connection (cable direction) from Router to switch is the one I'm unsure about.
NAS (source)
↓
↓
↓
Netgear Switch
↓
↓
↓
ND5 XS
⇑
⇑
⇑
Sky Hub (Router)
Thanks
I am demoing Cinnamon & Forest. After Christmas I will demo a Chord C-Stream. Did you demo other cables before choosing Cinnamon? My biggest problem is, I have a 10 metre run from the NAS to the Switch.
I would leave your flat Cat on the 10m run - If I remember right its shielded Cat6 or maybe 7 so has a bandwidth & "cat"egory well within whats needed for audio streaming.
I would not go mad with AQ Cinnamon between router & switch. Cat7 is OK but a bit OTT - yes I have AQ Pearl & it is OTT,but its low cost.
The important run is switch-streamer & thats where I would have Cinnamon
- still prefer Supra Cat7+ tho' 
I am demoing Cinnamon & Forest. After Christmas I will demo a Chord C-Stream. Did you demo other cables before choosing Cinnamon? My biggest problem is, I have a 10 metre run from the NAS to the Switch.
I would leave your flat Cat on the 10m run - If I remember right its shielded Cat6 or maybe 7 so has a bandwidth & "cat"egory well within whats needed for audio streaming.
I would not go mad with AQ Cinnamon between router & switch. Cat7 is OK but a bit OTT - yes I have AQ Pearl & it is OTT,but its low cost.
The important run is switch-streamer & thats where I would have Cinnamon
- still prefer Supra Cat7+ tho'
Merry Christmas Mike 
Yes, I can understand the most important run, is switch to ND5. But, isn't the run from the NAS to the switch the next most important run? After all, that is the main path/flow of the music. The run from the Router to the switch simply supplies the ND5 with an Internet connection for iRadio, and Rovi for metadata, does it not? So that particular run can be as cheap as chips. Am I right?
I have actually been looking at the Supra again for the 10 metre run. Am I right in saying, that the diameter of the cable is bigger than others, because of the flame retardant jacket? The reason that I ask, is that all my cables are enclosed in D-Line trunking, which are fixed to the skirting boards. My flat Ethernets, which are shielded Cat6, go round the corners of the trunking without a problem. Would the Supra?
The Cables did arrive in time! The Cinnamon definitely makes a difference. More detail.
Hi Meerkat – happy Krunchy Kristmas sKorpions to you & all in your “Klan”
As I said with HH, cumulative is probably the key
If you want to change the 10m run, I (personally) would go Supra, but please remember that Ethernet does not change SQ like speaker & IC cables does. It’s not so much A-B but – all together girls - A-B-C-D & back to A or C or D again. And its debatable that Ethernet changes SQ anyhow – maybe basic Cat5 to Cat 7 = yes, but Cat6 to Cat7, ?? hmmm … maybe but maybe not.
Yes the Supra is a fat CAT, but its only 7.5mm fat & not much more than any other Cat7.
Re the bending, No Cat7 bends so easy around any bend as they have a heavy X separator between the twisted pairs; tight bends are not a great idea but it’s the same for all Cat7. Maybe your flat-cat shielded 6 is better at bends.
Whatever, please let us know about Chord-C vs Cinnamon
Yup, will do Mike. Now I know why Confused.com rivals Compare the Meerkat! 