NDS ... short connection

It's not supposed to make a difference. But most things do in this lark.

It's always struck me as logical to hook the NDS to the NAS via the same dedicated switch using 1m posh cables. The cable makes a difference but I'm not sure the dedicated switch does. It seems logical and it's easy for me to do, so I do it. My hub is a house width away and connected to the lounge by 25m of cable. I couldn't afford that length of AQ Vodka!

It depends ... which is worst ... a long cable; or the electrical and (possibly) physical noise from the NAS.

If you use a NAS with 2 ethernet ports you also need to ensure it can be configured to bridge network otherwise you won't get any internet access to your NDS (no Tidal / Spotify, no internet radio, etc).  Its something that can probably be configured on any NAS, but with some you might have to did deeper and even use command line "hacks".

Personally I would use a 20m cable from NDS to your switch, move everything conveniently far away from the NDS and keep the switch, router and NAS in a convenient network "closet" in your utility room or office or cupboard under the stairs (whatever is appropriate / convenient for your own house).

Thanks for your reply ...... it would be great to hear about your results.....

It struck me that the slightest hash introduced - by a component could be compounded by another etc etc.... ideally it would be great to have a nas with 2  ethernet ports .... and run 1 direct to the nds and the other to your switch/router for general access. Has this ever been done or is it even possible???? I suppose I could buy another dedicated nas and occasionally sync it with my general nas to keep music library up to date.....

Richieroo posted:

...ideally it would be great to have a nas with 2  ethernet ports .... and run 1 direct to the nds and the other to your switch/router for general access. Has this ever been done or is it even possible???? 

I am aware of (at least) two products that go down that route ... Melco and the Innuos Zenith.  

Network devices are normally supposed to communicate with each other over a network, rather than directly (although there can be exceptions, such as the Melco). So for your NAS and streamer to work as intended, as well as having an internet connection, you should at least connect both to a switch, and connect that to your router. 

Also, I believe there is an argument against very short Ethernet cables, and that it’s good practice to keep them to 3m or more where possible. 

ChrisSU posted:

.............    Also, I believe there is an argument against very short Ethernet cables, and that it’s good practice to keep them to 3m or more where possible. 

Have you any info or www.links on that Chris (or anyone),   I heard the same a while back in a pub/club discussion,  the IT peeps said it was not so in domestic installs,  the others (all AV officianadoes) were most insistent it is true.   My Cisco switch manages its port power according to cable length so from that I take a hint that there might be some basis for the rumour.  I've  I tried to find something,  but outside of a load of forum/blog chatter,   nothing that was technically credible.   I'm asking as my (OCD) interest only, I'm not changing my 0.5m Meicord anytime soon.   

Mike-B posted:

ChrisSU posted:

.............    Also, I believe there is an argument against very short Ethernet cables, and that it’s good practice to keep them to 3m or more where possible. 

Have you any info or www.links on that Chris (or anyone),   I heard the same a while back in a pub/club discussion,  the IT peeps said it was not so in domestic installs,  the others (all AV officianadoes) were most insistent it is true.   My Cisco switch manages its port power according to cable length so from that I take a hint that there might be some basis for the rumour.  I've  I tried to find something,  but outside of a load of forum/blog chatter,   nothing that was technically credible.   I'm asking as my (OCD) interest only, I'm not changing my 0.5m Meicord anytime soon.   

It can certainly make cable dressing a bit awkward using 3m when you only need very short patch cables. Maybe Simon would care to elaborate on this:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...94#71821642631814094

Hi Chris,  I can't find anything in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568 about minimum length.  As I said in my post this morning, & Simon says in that post link,  some switches can detect cable length and reduce power accordingly,  and that's what mine does.  So I'm satisfied I don't need to dig further.

Eloise posted:

It depends ... which is worst ... a long cable; or the electrical and (possibly) physical noise from the NAS.

If you use a NAS with 2 ethernet ports you also need to ensure it can be configured to bridge network otherwise you won't get any internet access to your NDS (no Tidal / Spotify, no internet radio, etc).  Its something that can probably be configured on any NAS, but with some you might have to did deeper and even use command line "hacks".

Personally I would use a 20m cable from NDS to your switch, move everything conveniently far away from the NDS and keep the switch, router and NAS in a convenient network "closet" in your utility room or office or cupboard under the stairs (whatever is appropriate / convenient for your own house).

This is what I did for years - a 50’ Cat 5e ethernet cable from my NDS back to a switch in a closet where my NAS and router live.  About six months ago, I bought a pair of fibre-to-ethernet bridges (with iFi power supplies). I now run the 50’ cable into these, and then run an AQ Cinnamon for the last 6' to the NDS.

Can’t say I hear a huge difference - it’s always sounded very good to me, and it still does. But I do like the AQ cable’s connector - it’s a very solid fit to the NDS. The cheapo cable I used previously sagged, and so I suspect there is now less strain on the NDS port. Also, this makes things easier when there’s a thunderstorm. All I have to do is switch boxes off, and pull the power cable from the wall outlet. I no longer have to remember to pull the long ethernet cable from the back of the NDS.