Ethernet cables - YOUR LISTENING Shooutout Summary

Be aware that Catsnake does require a couple of weeks to fully settle and open up. Bass can initially sound a bit lumpy and odd.

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Noted, yes Iā€™ll give them a couple of weeks to fully bed in.

I put my basic melco Ethernet from melco to streamer it always used to sound rough around the edges compared to the cinnamon cable but without the Adot in and the new fw upgrade I am loving it. Compared to the cinnamon which sounds clinically better tighter bass slightly smoother etc the Melco just sounds far more musical to me now. Far larger soundscape in all areas but the music seems better mixed more lifelike less hifi more engaging! Not heard of catsnake if thatā€™s what itā€™s called or how it would compare but so far cheaper is winning! So confusing :face_with_diagonal_mouth:

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One question on the catsnake configuration - I understand that unshielded or a floating shield is best (so as to not transmit noise down the cable to streamer ) - is this correct?

Designacable have 3 options - cat 6a spec (shielded) connected at one end or floating. Is the floating configuration a disconnected shield at both ends? And which choice is ā€œbestā€ for a Naim streamer?

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Hi @JonoB

When I was looking, the general consensus was to go for 6a Floating. Apparently this is the optimum, so this is what I went for.

Itā€™s very nice cable, well made and tested, slightly thick, but extremely flexible to help with cable dressing.

Hope this helps.

DGā€¦

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I went full-floating as well. :+1:

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Thanks - Iā€™ll have a look at getting one to try out this weekend.

Any thoughts on why the floating is better? I assume a floating shield isnā€™t connected at either end, so doesnā€™t do anything beyond what a regular Cat5 UTP cable would doā€¦

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Hi @JonoB

This is from the Designacable website.

These cables are commonly used in hi-end HIFI systems to connect streaming devices within the setup. For example, your NAS or laptop to your router.

Premium quality Cat6a data cables. Manufactured with Belden 1303E Catsnake cable and quality shielded RJ45 connectors with a metal shroud

In order to minimise any unwanted interference each pair of conductors is foil screened; this then works in conjunction with the integral overall-braided shield to reduce EMI. You have the option above to have the shield ā€˜connectedā€™ or left ā€˜floatingā€™, this will depend on your equipment and personal preference. If left floating then this cable will not perform to Cat6a specifications, but will still function perfectly well as Cat5e, which is the most common type of specification in HiFi setups

The cable has two jackets; the first tightly holds the conductors in place so they do not move around. The second is made from a tubular style rugged PVC, this makes the cable durable and easy to coil

These cables are commonly used in hi-end HiFi systems to connect streaming devices within the setup. For example, your NAS or laptop to your router

** Premium Belden 1303E Catsnake cable*
** Shielded RJ45 connectors with a metal shroud*
** Precision tools used to crimp plugs*
** 10 colours of boot/gland available for identification*

Field deployable CAT6a patch horizontal and building backbone cable; CobraNEt, eSnake, Ethersound, Digital audio over Ethernet; Support current and future Category 6A and 6 applications, such as: 10GBase - T(10 Gigabit Ethernet), 1000 Base - T (Gigabit Ethernet), 100 Base - T, 10 Base - T, FDDI, ATM; Compatible connectors Belden R301601 000S1 (T568A) and R301602 000S1 (T568B)

In our permanent quest to improve on what we do, we decided to improve our testing rig by employing a Fluke LinkIQ verifier. We can now verify that our Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cables perform to the requirements of ISO/IEC 11801, at the lengths we state. All our cables now go through a thorough ā€˜real worldā€™ test before dispatch. We use ā€˜Verificationā€™ for short patch leads, and ā€˜Verificationā€™ and ā€˜Live Testingā€™ for any cables over 40m, including reel-systems.

Hope this helps.

DGā€¦

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So the floating option only meets Cat 5e and not Cat 6a. Interesting, but not exactly helpful. How do I know if my equipment would sound better or not with the floating option?

Additionally, how would I know if the shield should be connected at one or both ends (this can be selected in the drop-down menu on the designacable site).

Floating is not connected at either end.

Both Naim and Linn only use Cat 5e cables.

DGā€¦

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I had one made up with shield connected at one end so rfi drains to the switch (same as melco c100 cable) and asked them to mark which end is connected.

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Thanks. Though Iā€™m still not sure which is the better approach, although I assume both you and @DiggyGun are happy with your choices.

I use the Designacable CatSnake 6a (Floating) throughout. Itā€™s a lovely quality unobtrusive and flexible cable. Best Iā€™ve heard (and thatā€™s a few). It neither adds nor subtracts anything.

Superb value and feels much more ā€˜hi-endā€™ than it ought to for the money.

A firm recommendation from me.

G

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Same here.

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Fully floating for me and the best Iā€™ve used before you get into the truly exotics stuff. Only then does it show you where it has any weaknesses.

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Yes very happy, after a long chat with Linn, went back to basics. Got rid of the boutique cables and switches and went bog standard as Linn and Naim do.

Standard NetGear GS105 switch and CatSnake cables.

DGā€¦

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Itā€™s my understanding that it would only meet Cat6 standards, where it still retains crosstalk improvements over 5e.

I could be wrong though.