Any what does ‘several times better’ actually mean? It is simply hyperbola that is ultimately meaningless.
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Yes i’m very much like that myself, i don’t really like to mix ‘n’ match. Ok, i think i know what i should do now. Thanks
Don’t sell too quickly the vodka. Try it in some weeks or months if possible. When the Ndx2 will be burned in. It’s not impossible that you will prefer it to the Snake. Or not…
Hi FR,
I think you may well be very surprised with the CatSnake. It doesn’t mask anything, unlike the solid core cables do in my experience. It’s like playing back a cassette tape with the Dolby turned off by comparison. I reckon if Naim were ever to bring out a Ethernet cable then it will be a multi-stranded one IMHO.
I either sent it back on sale or return or paid the restocking charge or sold it on. I still have some to get rid of, along with a couple of switches.
I did that with 4 different high-end cables, none of which did anything other than pleasant special effects, while deteriorating the natural voicing of acoustic instruments and losing textural detail. It was a very disappointing experience, repeated with some very expensive silver cables, not to mention the Chord Music and Superlumina interconnects, Powerline and its adoption in the Powerigel Plus.
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I also think the stranded may have something to do with that and the bass extension. In my system having the CatSnake Cat6a in the last stretch made the biggest difference, but it is also the longest cable. I do have it for everything now, though.
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Thanks to you Michaelb.
I really like the CatSnake 6a. For the first time on my digital journey this cable is really making my system (ironically) sounding analogue. No more can digital artefacts be heard. It’s really quite remarkable. NigelB has warned us all too! No more silver and certainly no more solid core cables i shall entertain again in streaming Ethernet cabling. 
P.S And no this has nothing to do with the fact i have just upgraded to a NDX 2 either! 
Well i have a full loom in catsnake, as in 3 separate cables, one from the router to Cisco, then another to the melco, and finally another to the rossini.
For just less than £100 for all 3 delivered, its certainly staying and replacing the standard cheap stuff i had in and the AQ i had between the melco and rossini.
I have a vodka and diamond cables here now that i was testing to go between the melco and rossini, and i certainly wont be buying either off them, as found them both over bright compared to this. Plus the price difference is massive, as in thousands.
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You’re welcome! 
You may also find that heavy bass you were concerned about is a combination of both the NDX2 and CatSnake burning in…
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See Dunc’s post above, too, though also sale or return…
Yes, it’s possible. But it’s also possible that, if you connect back the vodka again later, you realize that it’s better for your ears. But you can also prefer still the vodka.
It may also depend on the style of music we listen.
Just saying not to sell it too quickly, before the ndx2 is not settled.
Dunc, these cables need 200 hours burn in. At the beginning they sound a bit bright and agressive. They all loose these characteristics after.
The Vodka remains a bit too forward, but with an full organic sound and textures that I like. The Diamond is much more refined and well balanced, Very analog sounding.
Of course it’s on my system and ears.
I will however be able very soon to compare to Catsnake. I have already tested the Blue Jeans and for me the difference vs the Diamond was very huge.
I really doubt there will be so much difference between Blue Jeans cat 6a and Catsnake cat 6a, both floating. As they are both Belden cables, with similar prices.
However I want to test.
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Ethernet cables need burn in ?
Really ??
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What can I respond more? Yes, at least my experience and the experience of many of us here.
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Maybe there is a static build up on the insulation and this effects performance? I find if i have a bath and then go to touch the offending cable in question, whilst towel drying my hair, it resets everything. Normal listening is then resumed…
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Just don’t take them into the bath with you Stephen- a step too far 
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Both the vodka and diamond are demo ones and have a lot off hours on them.
The diamond would cost a cool £7000 for the same £100 full loom, the difference other than a slightly different top end is my family can have a fantastic holiday, rather than the dealer and AQ.
Think you would have to be a bit stupid to pay the difference, for what the difference is, especially if like me you actually prefer the cheap cable, but i can see why it might appeal, if you over look the price.
I have been trying the vodka and diamond just between the melco and rossini, to see if i prefer it with my ripped CD’s etc that i have stored on it and cant say as yet if i do or dont
The Vodka is a good cable. I think it brings excitement to the listening, however it’s not perfect and the frustrating part is nor are the cheaper bog standard cables either (or is that the other way around?), but they all nearly are? ?..And then the value for money kicks in…
I think if I was going to spend serious money then the diamond is certainly better than the vodka and not that much more.
But also the sigma at £1000 is probably worth a demo.
I just need to justify it over the cheap cable I have now, as I certainly won’t be having a full loom in it and it’s just the melco to rossini, I am taking about here.
As I feel the rossini and melco deserve a better cable linking them to get the maximum out the melco, but right now I am not sure and the £25 cable is going a great job, even with just a few days off burn in
I think you’re right of course. Thank you.
(those metal connectors). Damn.