I hope everyone is well in these crazy and quite scary times.
I know there is already a very long cables thread but was just hoping for a simple answer maybe if anyone can help.
Anyway - I have a NDX 2 which is about 9m away from the Virgin media router, which i also have an Apple time capsule connected to.
I currently have a very cheap 25m or 30m ethernet lead connected between the time capsule and the NDX2 with a lot of it coiled up. Time capsule connected to Virgin media router. Only had the NDX2 a few weeks.
Could someone please advise what is a good 10m ethernet cable to buy and a network switch and how i would configure this please to achieve the best results. Cat 5, 6, 7 etc. I have no idea and if i need a switch or not.
Currently just direct streaming Tidal, Qobuz and using internet radio.
I should ask about budget, but I wonât. If you believe mad money ethernet cables are VFM, Iâm not yer man.
Hot forum favourite ethernet is Blue Jeans Cables, Cat-6 or Cat-6A, seems that more forum-folk believe 6A is sonically better, but I didnât hear that & have Cat-6 from BT hub to switch.
Thatâs added to my MeiCord Cat-6 & highly recommended that goes from NAS to switch to NDX.
The switch favourite is one of the many used/refurbish Cisco Catalyst 8 ports. There will be a number advising which one(s). Iâm no expert but I have tried one a while back & yes they are a step up from the basic consumer types but too big to fit without domestic disruption, plus I only need 5 ports & use a Cisco SG110D.
Iâve been using Blue Jeans cat 6A for a while now and they are very good - just as good if not better than the much more expensive wires that preceded them. What I have is BJ from Virgin hub (used as modem) to Apple Airport, BJ from Airport to Cisco switch (2960 8TC L) and BJs from switch to 272 and Qnap Nas. Whether a switch helps if you only do online streaming I donât really know.
I will order a Blue Jeans cat 6a 10m patch cable and try that first as seems a popular choice. Maybe no need for a switch then.
I did think that when I plugged the ethernet cable in the ndx2 it automatically turns the wi fi off and uses the cable signal. Is this incorrect ? Saying that I need wifli for my phone Naim app to connect to NDX 2⌠Confused.
No desire to poke the hornetâs nest, but a Cisco switch has been a nice upgrade for me, listening to Tidal into a 272 / 250DR). And⌠[whispering] two switches offers another noticeable step up. Of course, unlimited discussion on this topic over in the âotherâ thread.
In contrast, Iâve struggled thus far to find noticeable SQ differences amongst the majority of ethernet cables (with the exception of AQ Cinnamon, which strangled the music in my system). Playing around with used Ciscos is anyhow a cheap sub-hobby in the grand scheme of things.
It really doesnât matter, any certified cable of Cat5e or higher will be fine, and you have upto 100 metres to play with.
My view is donât get sucked into some of the marketing babble.
Use Cat5e, and if you want to noise shape, then get a RJ45 back to back connector and insert your favourite boutique Ethernet cable for the last metre or two⌠though you will likely find your results are specific to your environment.
Paid ÂŁ70 for the Blue Jeanâs Cables and ÂŁ100 for the switch. Other Cat 6a and Cat 7 cables were cheaper ones probably less than ÂŁ15 for both. So it hasnât cost a fortune. I really like the quality of the Blue Jeanâs cables and the colour!!
Assuming you are using a small consumer type router then it will typically contain four switch ports on it - you simply need to connect your streamer to one of these.
You may find however its more convenient to have a switch more local to your streamer where you can also connect your NAS etc, so you can reduce the number of long ethernet leads you otherwise might need.
Finally there is the SQ matter - you may or may not prefer the ânoise shapingâ characteristics of either your router or another switch directly connected to your streamer - that will be entirely subjective and down to trial and error.
@Thedomestique,âŚHi,.I do not understand these âfuzzyâ and unclear statements .
I am the OP for the long threadâŚ
âEthernet Switch and Cables Maniaâ.
I have also installed about 100 Cisco Catalyst-switches in various hifi-friends music-systems.
In All these cases,.there has been better soundquality with a Cisco-switch in the music-system.
The difference in soundquality can vary a little between different systems.
BUT,.there has Always been better soundquality with a Cisco-switch in the music-system.
⢠Router > Cisco > NDX2 (in your caseđ).
It is also the conclusion of the long thread âEthernet Switch and Cables Maniaâ.
Some exception in the thread,who think differently there is always,.but they are Not many.
Thedomestique,.There will be better soundquality too with online streaming.
But the installation of your switch (Cisco),.is just as important as the installation of a âBlack boxâ. Among other things,.I have written about it in the âlong threadâ.
Read more about this in that thread.
Hi - any small Cisco Catalyst switch many find agreeable; so an 8 port 2960 or 3560 is good.
You donât need new with latest software - so used version on eBay etc should be fine - just ensure that the seller has factory resent the switch - that way it will work suitable as default. The key benefit appears with those Catalyst models as opposed to any general âCiscoâ switch.
It was I who discovered the benefit of a small 2960 several years ago when hunting down an issue of RFI on ethernet leads affecting my Naim system whilst using a Netgear switch, and I suspect it has now spawned a whole niche audiophile cottage industry which funnily enough I predicted it wouldâŚ