Ethernet cable choice and dressing

Also using a NDX,XPS dr I was using Audioquest Cinnamon but upgraded to Audioquest Vodka Cinnamon cables are good but the Vodka is worth the price differnce in my system and set up.

I don't understand why you won't demo, as you have nothing to lose by giving it a try. Your system should be revealing enough to tell the difference (if one exists), and then judge if it is value for money in the context of your system. 

I think the main rule with ethernet is to not run it in parallel to any power cabling. If they are in proximity, cross them at right angles. (This may be less of an issue with shielded ethernet)

It's worth asking whether you have installed a dedicated mains, have a really good Hifi rack, and gave Powerlines on the black boxes. In my experience, for what it's worth, these things have more of an impact than posh Ethernet cables. Speaker leads and interconnects will also do more. Then there's the MA speakers - might the cost of the cable be better directed there?

I only switched from AudioQuest Cinnamon to Vodka after installing Super Lumina speaker leads and din to XLR lead. The Vodka was a significant improvement, but on an optimised setup - it wouldn't be the first thing I'd do. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

It's worth asking whether you have installed a dedicated mains, have a really good Hifi rack, and gave Powerlines on the black boxes. In my experience, for what it's worth, these things have more of an impact than posh Ethernet cables. Speaker leads and interconnects will also do more. Then there's the MA speakers - might the cost of the cable be better directed there?

I only switched from AudioQuest Cinnamon to Vodka after installing Super Lumina speaker leads and din to XLR lead. The Vodka was a significant improvement, but on an optimised setup - it wouldn't be the first thing I'd do. 

Sorry forgot to put, I have dedicated mains, brain and brawn Fraim stacks but no powerlines. 

The speakers will be staying for a while as these are part of my 5.1 cinema set up. 

Did you hear the NDS? Is the price difference between a new ndx and a used nds within budget? 

Mr Happy posted:

Did you hear the NDS? Is the price difference between a new ndx and a used nds within budget? 

No I didn't as I upgraded for a 202 to the 282 at the same time so couldn't stretch to that. I got these boxes ex dem so got a pretty good deal

Pawson6844 posted:

Also is there any dressing requirement for an Ethernet cable. Mine is a 3m cable to reach the Melco, are they as sensitive as say a hi line to location and touching other cables? 

Thanks 

Yes - try to keep them away from power cords.

Agree with the advice of the guys above to keep it away from other cables especially power cables. It maybe more important to keep the signal clean from the source, so my advice is not to plug the ethernet cable directly into the router that is also connected to other devices. I get best results by having an ethernet switch that is dedicated to my PC/streamer. You can still go crazy in isolating your ethernet, but I won't go into that here

Moussa posted:

Agree with the advice of the guys above to keep it away from other cables especially power cables.  ....................    You can still go crazy in isolating your ethernet, but I won't go into that here

Its OK to run STP with power over the short distances involved in domestic audio..  its even OK with UTP provided its not more than a metre or so.    Yes yes separate is better, but your 2nd line has probably more truth than anything.   

Goodafternoon. My experience is you Cannot run Utp cable next to powercords. Not even 50 cm.  I had this situation for many months. Could not find why my naim sounder so bad.  Best you use a dedicated switch for your audio. I use lineair 12 volt dc ps for the switch. And i run audioquest vodka cables. In my setup the difference is big. Even with cat6 instead of the AQ cables their is a lot to win. Make sure they do not run side by side with power cables

It doesn't run in parallel to any power cords.

its just running around a bay window with the speaker cable. 

I've asked for a chord signature and chord indigo to try at home and see if I can hear any difference