dbastin Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 (edited) To accompany threads about Ethernet switches, tweaks, here is one of three threads about Ethernet Cables. These are listed from highest to lowest cost. Prices are for about 1m and what I could find as a guide, not best price AU$ is simply conversion from US$, £ or € - excluding shipping and import costs. Cost range is once again staggering - upto $30k. This list is just for information - not my recommendations. Feel free to post your personal experience with any cable listed, eg. you upgraded to one of these listed. I created a template to help post your experiences. Comparisons between these cables would also be of interest. Also feel free to advise where to read other peoples' experience with these cables (eg. on other forums). I will add to this list and include links to reviews if I am made aware. Let's try not to clutter this up with technical debates. If you wish to advise or read about why these shouldn't work, then I've created Part B for that purpose. I've also created Part C for Fibre Optical ethernet connections. Please be civil and respectful to keep this resource open, and not moved into the Great Debate sub forum In terms of cost, I suggest consider these cables as you would interconnects. I suspect pricing is guided by the improvements the cable has on a system's sound quality, rather than the cost of materials and comparisons to generic ethernet data cables. The price is the designers/manufacturors reward for achieving those improvements. Some stats Currently 80 cables + a few combinations with SOtM ISO Cat6. Median price is about $5k 60% of the cables are between $200 and $2000, the median of which is $900 Even with this median nearly half the cables are over $900 - $2000. The List: $2000 - $10300 (14) Anzus Acoustics D-TC Supreme €6.600 AU$10300 (DT-C powerbox or powerswitch mandatory - €23000 and €12000 respectively) Chord Music £4000 AU$7800 https://www.chord.co.uk/product/chordmusic-streaming-cable/ Goebel Larcorde Statement €4500 AU$7250 http://www.goebel-highend.de/products/lacorde-ethernet.htm https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/gobel-lacorde-statement-cables/ Anzus Acoustics D-TC €4.400 AU$7200 (DT-C powerbox or powerswitch mandatory - €23000 and €12000 respectively) Dalby Audio Meda £3000 AU$5800 Dalby websìte has no info https://www.dasklang.com/products/equipment/item/110594-das-klang-cable-support.html Kubala-Sosna Elation Cat 6 AU$5500 http://www.kscables.com/audio-cables-elation.html Shunyata Omega AU$4500 https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/omega-series-digital-cables/omega-ethernet/ Synergistic Research Galileo SX US$3000 AU$4450 https://www.synergisticresearch.com/cables/galileo-sx/galileo-sx-digital/galileo-sx-ethernet/ Stavessence Eloquence €2500 AU$4000 http://stavessence.audio/products/ 6 moons reviewer cable - https://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/stavessence/4.html Anzus Acoustics D2 €2.160 AU$3500 (upgradable with DT-C powerbox or powerswitch - €23000 and €12000 respectively) Entreq Infinity Atlantis £1600 AU$3015 (excl ground cable and box) https://www.audiotherapyuk.com/product/entreq-infinity-apollo-rj45-cable-copy/ Chord Sarum Super ARAY (former model) €1800 AU$2900 https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/chord-sarum-super-aray-streaming-cable-6309-p.asp Stealth (i2s) US$2000 AU$3000 http://www.stealthaudiocables.com/products/digital-cables/i2s/ Tellurium Q Silver Diamond AU$2800 https://avcorp.pl/product-eng-2388-Tellurium-Q-Silver-Diamond-Digital-Streaming-Cable-Ethernet-LAN-cable.html Vertere HB Ethernet Cable £1500/AU$2800 https://www.vertereacoustics.com/hb-ethernet-cable Entreq Infinity Apollo £1200 AU$2260 (incl. integrated ground cable but not ground box) https://www.audiotherapyuk.com/product/entreq-infinity-apollo-rj45-cable/ Some Combos with SOtM ISO Cat6 (favourites trialled by Audio Bacon) https://audiobacon.net/2017/07/09/sotm-iso-cat6-special-edition-the-flavors-of-audiophile-ethernet/ SOtM dCBL-CAT7 -> iSO-CAT6 -> dCBL-CAT7 US $1350 AU$2000 SOtM dCBL-CAT7 -> iSO-CAT6 -> Purist Audio Design CAT7 US$1200 AU$1775 SOtM ISO CAT 6 special edition (ie. filter + 3 different short cables) AU$1650 SOtM SE Black Cable -> iSO-CAT6 -> dCBL-CAT7 US$1000 AU$1475 $1400 - $2000 (8) Chord Indigo Tuned ARAY (former model) £940 AU$1800 https://hifilounge.co.uk/product/chord-indigo-tuned-aray-streaming-cable-1m/ Shunyata Sigma AU$1800 https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/ethernet-digital-cables/ethernet-cables-venom-alpha-sigma/ Jcat Signature Gold €1100/AU$1760 https://jcat.eu/product/signature-lan-cable/ Kubala-Sosna Facination Cat 6 AU$1650 http://www.kscables.com/audio-cables-fascination.html Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Reference US$1050 AU$1550 https://www.synergisticresearch.com/cables/atmosphere/digital/atmosphere-reference-ethernet/ Easily better than WW Starlight Platinum (Series 7) according to Stereotimes Bill Wells Tellurium Q Black Diamond €930 AU$1500 https://telluriumq.com/black-diamond-digital-streaming-cable/ Chord Signature Super ARAY €750 AU$1450 https://blog.artsexcellence.nl/chord-company-streaming-kabels/ https://www.chord.co.2uk/product/signature-super-aray-streaming-cable/ Wireworld Starlight Platinum (note. Series 7 former Stereotimes reference) Series 8 released May 2019 AU$1400 https://www.wireworldcable.com/phone/digital.html Shunyata Alpha AU$1350 https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/ethernet-digital-cables/ethernet-cables-venom-alpha-sigma/ $800 - 1200 (15) Final Touch (Audiostream uses it - editors choice) US$800 AU$1200 https://www.finaltouchaudio.com/ethernet-cables Anzus Acoustics A2 €860 AU$1140 Pachanko Aphelion Reference AU$1130 https://www.adark.co/collections/audiophile-grade-networking-system/products/pachanko-aphelion-reference-lan-cable AIM AU$1120 http://www.aim-ele.co.jp/avd/english/products/na7/ http://www.tamagawaaudio.com/blog/?p=2629 Nordost Heimdall 2 AU$1045 https://www.nordost.com/ethernet-cables.php Audioquest Diamond AU$1045 (.75m) https://www.audioquest.com/cables/digital-cables/rj-e-ethernet Atlas Mavros Grun AU$1000 https://www.atlascables.com/products-usb-streaming.html#streaming https://audioinfluence.com.au/collections/atlas-cables/products/atlas-hyper-mavros-streaming-grun-cat6-digital-cable?variant=31087793471555 Fidata AU$995 https://www.iodata.jp/fidata/en/product/cable.htm https://www.avgallery.com.au/shop/terminated-cables/ethernet/fidata-hflc-ethernet-cable/ SOtM SE Black Cable -> iSO-CAT6 -> SE Black Cable (combo tested by Audio Bacon) US$650 AU$960 Synergistic Research Atmosphere X US$650 AU$950 https://www.synergisticresearch.com/cables/atmosphere/digital/atmosphere-ethernet/ Chord Epic €570 AU$925 https://www.chord.co.uk/product/epic-streaming-cable/ Revelation Audio US$600 AU$900 http://www.revelationaudiolabs.com/cables-digital/index.htm#CAT8+-RJ45-i2s Anzus Acoustics X €540 AU$880 https://ansuz-acoustics.com/products/x-cables Acoustic Revive Triple C €530 AU$860 https://6moons.com/audioreviews/acousticrevive3/4.html $500 - $750 (15) SOtM Cat7 (with isolator/filter) US$500 AU$750 1.5m std length (stiff) https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/products/cables-3/ Phonosophie €440 AU$710 https://www.hifi-zubehoer.shop/en/phonosophie-high-end-ethernet-cable-a-34889.htm?varid=34890 Telegartner MFP8 Gold 2 (Cat7A) 50,000 yen AU $670 https://files.telegaertner.com/5114/6173/8984/Business_Success_Story_MFP8-Gold_April2016.pdf Pachaniko Itération AU$670 https://www.adark.co/collections/audiophile-grade-networking-system/products/pachanko-lan-iteration-cable https://shop.highend-audiopc.com/en/lan-cables/pachanko-lan-kabel-itration-1-5m?action_ms=1 Nordost Blue Heaven AU$600 https://www.nordost.com/ethernet-cables.php Synergistic Research Core 2.0 US$400 AU$590 https://www.synergisticresearch.com/cables/coreuef/core-uef-ethernet/ TotalDAC €360 AU$580 http://www.totaldac.com/ethernet_cable-eng.htm Entreq Primer £300 AU$565 Primer Pro £390 AU$735 both incl ground cable & ground box https://www.audiotherapyuk.com/product/entreq-primer-rj45-ethernet-cable/ Shunyata Venom AU$700 https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/ethernet-digital-cables/ethernet-cables-venom-alpha-sigma/ Aqvox LAN Edge €370 AU$600 http://www.myhifishop.de/Cables/Digital-Cables:::2_3.html Waversa Systems - WLAN €330 AU$540 https://zionote.com/shop/product/wlancable Sablon Audio Panatela Reserva US$350 AU $520 Audio Bacon says quite a bit better than SOtM Cat 6. Moon Audio US$350 AU$520 https://www.moon-audio.com/silver-dragon-network-cable.html Purist Audio Design US$350 AU$510 SOtM Cat 6 AU$500 with high grade connectors AU$250 with std connectors https://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/products/cables-3/ Uñder $500 (15) JCat LAN €300 AU$480 https://jcat.eu/product/lan-cable/ Chord Shawline €250 AU$400 https://www.chord.co.uk/product/shawline-streaming-digital-audio-interconnect/ Audioquest Vodka AU$400 (.75m) https://www.audioquest.com/cables/digital-cables/rj-e-ethernet Wireworld Starlight Series 8 AU$400 https://www.wireworldcable.com/phone/digital.html Transparent Audio Premium Cat 6 US$275 AU$400 https://www.transparentcable.com/collections/digital-audio-ethernet/products/premium-ethernet Triode Wire Labs US$250 AU$385 https://www.triodewirelabs.com/product/freedom-ethernet-cable/ Phasure €215 AU$350 https://stordiau.com/collections/cables-and-more-snakes-oil/products/ethist-2-ethernet-cable Atlas Hyper Streaming AU$335 https://www.atlascables.com/products-usb-streaming.html#streaming https://audioinfluence.com.au/collections/atlas-cables/products/atlas-hyper-streaming-cat6-digital-cable?variant=31087792390211 Aqvox LAN Exel €200 AU$ 330 http://www.myhifishop.de/Cables/Digital-Cables:::2_3.html The Linear Solution US$200 AU$300 https://thelinearsolution.com/tlsref_eth.html In Akustik Referenz €149 AU$245 https://www.in-akustik.de/en/cables-and-accessories/multimedia/cat-cable/referenz-network-cable-cat7-007150075/ https://www.hifisound.de/en/Hifi-Accessories/Cable-Crafted/Inakustik-Referenz-CAT7-Network-Cable-0-75-m.html KEF K Stream AU$230 https://uk.kef.com/products/k-stream Furutech Lan 7 AU$220 http://www.furutech.com/2015/12/01/12211/ Aqvox LAN Basic €120 AU$200 http://www.myhifishop.de/Cables/Digital-Cables:::2_3.html Undèr $200 (13) DH Labs "Reunion" Ethernet Cat 8 US$129 AU$195 https://silversonic.com/products/digital-cables/reunion-cat8-ethernet/ Wireworld Chroma AU$190 https://www.wireworldcable.com/phone/digital.html Afterdark Constellation (CFS) Cat 7 (MFP8s) HK$950.00 AU$180 https://www.adark.co/collections/audiophile-grade-networking-system/products/afterdark-constellation-cfs-cat7-telegartner-mfp8-edition Atlas Equator AU$175 https://www.atlascables.com/products-usb-streaming.html#streaming https://audioinfluence.com.au/collections/atlas-cables/products/atlas-equator-streaming-cat6-digital-cable?variant=31087783542851 Melco £90 AU$170 https://www.audiotherapyuk.com/product/melco-audio-c1ae-cat7-ethernet-cable/ Ghent US$90 AU$135 https://www.ghentaudio.com/pc/et11.html Audioquest Cinnamon AU$100 (.75m) https://www.audioquest.com/cables/digital-cables/rj-e-ethernet Meicord Opal €72 AU$115 http://meicord.de/index.php?id=dietechnologie&L=3 http://neu.meicord.de/shop/MeiCord-opal:::1.html?language=en Chord C-Stream £40 AU$80 https://www.chord.co.uk/product/c-stream-high-performance-digital-streaming-cable/ Supra £38 AU$75 http://www.supracables.co.uk/ethernetcables/cat7-cat8-cable.html In Akustik Exzellenz €40 AU$65 https://www.in-akustik.de/en/cables-and-accessories/multimedia/cat-cable/excellence-network-cable-cat6-006711005/ https://www.hifisound.de/en/Hifi-Accessories/Cable-Crafted/Inakustik-Exzellenz-CAT6-Network-Cable-0-5-mtr.html Audioquest Forest AU$50 (.75m) https://www.audioquest.com/cables/digital-cables/rj-e-ethernet Audioquest Pearl AU$35 (.75m) https://www.audioquest.com/cables/digital-cables/rj-e-ethernet Edited July 27, 2020 by dbastin Tinkering, improving, more added, update pricing 13 1
rockeater Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 You have put in some serious work into this and hopefully it will be worth it. 3
44maloo Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 I have purchased the Shunyata Sigma Ethernet cable. I will report back when it arrives and I have evaluated it. 1
PMAAMP Posted February 19, 2020 Posted February 19, 2020 Thanks for this resource - very useful. I'm testing the DH Labs "Reunion" next week (when it comes in). Likewise, will report back. 1
dbastin Posted February 19, 2020 Author Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) Here's a template people may wish to use to report their trials New Cable: Connected upstream to: Upgraded from: Switch: Other downstream: Other cables you considered: Reason for your choice: Links to info about the new cable: Your comments/observations: Unfortunately I cant seem to cut and paste into posts using PC/Explorer, but can with Google Chrome. Alternatively people can simply Quote the template and fill in what they wish - example below. Edited March 9, 2020 by dbastin 2
dbastin Posted February 19, 2020 Author Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) 26 minutes ago, dbastin said: New Cable: Wireworld Starlight Platinum Cat 8 (Series 7) 1m & 0.5m (bought used on US AudioMart/Audiogon) Connected upstream to: Devialet Pro 220 & Antipodes Edge (Roon) Upgraded from: WW Starlight Cat 8 (Series 7) Switch: iinet Bob lite Belken modem functioning as switch and WIFI AP - hi end LPS, Shunyata ztron Alpha power cable, and Akiko USB tuning stick Other downstream: several metres of garden variety Cat 5e - to iinet Bob lite and then to main iinet modem Other cables you considered: Synergistic Research Atmosphere, AQ Diamond, Shunyata, SOtM - hard to find on used market. Reason for your choice: to see what difference change to solid silver conductors made - ie. same insulation and connectors as WW Starlight. Read reviews and observations in forums and by dealers. Links to info about the new cable: in the List Your comments/observations: Yes solid silver conductors did make a big difference (go figure), so much more info coming thru, such change in tonal signature I had to do a bit of EQ/re-tune some of the system a bit. A lot more and better midrange but a bit less sparkle high end than Starlight. BUT ... I'm not concluding on this until I upgrade switch. Edited February 19, 2020 by dbastin
dbastin Posted February 19, 2020 Author Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) New Cable: Wireworld Starlight Cat 8 (Series 7) 1m (bought from SNA) Connected upstream to: Devialet Pro 220 (Roon) Upgraded from: air - Wifi Switch: iinet Bob lite Belken modem functioning as switch and WIFI AP (40cm from Devialet Pro) - hi end LPS, Shunyata ztron Alpha power cable Other downstream: several metres of garden variety Cat 5e - to iinet Bob lite and then to main iinet modem Other cables you considered: garden variety Cat 7 or 8. Reason for your choice: to see what difference change to sheilded cable made - before wifi I used Cat 5e. Read reviews and observations in forums and by dealers. Links to info about the new cable: in the List Your comments/observations: WiFi is crap! This is SO much better! Edited February 19, 2020 by dbastin
PMAAMP Posted February 26, 2020 Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) New Cable: DH Labs Reunion (CAT8 - silver/copper, from Reference Sound in Melb) Connected upstream to: Audiophonics LVDS (I2S) streamer (with processing done via Roon Rock, also connected to the LAN), which connects via Shunyata Venom HDMI for I2S signal to PS Audio Stellar Gain DAC/pre, and PS Audio S300 amp, and Krix Neuphonix MkI loudspeakers Upgraded from: stock ethernet, and AudioQuest Cinnamon (still in use to the Rock) Switch: Google Mesh Wi-fi point Other downstream: Short stock ethernet CAT 6(?) from NBN modem to Google Mesh Wi-fi primary point Other cables you considered: AudioQuest Diamond Reason for your choice: Availability, good price point, curiosity Links to info about the new cable: https://silversonic.com/products/digital-cables/reunion-cat8-ethernet/ Your comments/observations: I wasn't sure I'd hear much of a difference, to be honest. But I have. Significant improvement over the stock ethernet cable, and definite improvement over the AQ Cinnamon. Differences include greater presence, greater musical coherence, more "pop and wow" factor (more detail, I guess), better bass definition, increased sound stage, more atmospheric, especially depth, and more distinct placement of instruments/voices in the space. I'm no audio reviewer, but that's a summation of what I'm hearing after a few days. I don't know whether "burn in" is a thing with ethernet cables - I guess I'll find out. All I've managed (aside from some hours of music listening) is a few runs of the Purist Audio Design Enhancer signal material to help "get things moving" through the wires. All that said, after trialling, I bought the cable. The system sounds better with it, and that's what matters. Edited March 16, 2020 by PMAAMP 4
mattjtaylor2809 Posted March 2, 2020 Posted March 2, 2020 Wow....how much?? I've just bought the Supra Cat 8 recommended by Audio Bacon so I'll be interested if I hear any diff Vs my generics; according to his website I should so fingers crossed. Reading the review on AB, I'd like to try the SOtM Black SE but it doesn't look like you can buy it seperately...well I coujldnt find it? Cheers Matt
dbastin Posted March 3, 2020 Author Posted March 3, 2020 19 hours ago, mattjtaylor2809 said: I'd like to try the SOtM Black SE but it doesn't look like you can buy it seperately...well I coujldnt find it? When I enquired with Crux Audio I recall they said it is possible to buy a single Black cable. Audio Bacon has also noted the Linear Solution ethernet cable as excellent value. From reading a fair bit of Audio Bacon I gather Audio Bacon reference ethernet cables have been SOtM Cat 7, Synergistic Reserach Atmosphere Reference and most recently JCAT Signature.
mattjtaylor2809 Posted March 3, 2020 Posted March 3, 2020 I'll see how the Supra Cat 8 performs Vs the 10% silver Cat 8 from Canada. All the others on Audio Bacon are just too expensive for me right now. But I just found this so maybe I'll keep a look out for the The Linear Solutions cable.
dbastin Posted March 3, 2020 Author Posted March 3, 2020 @mattjtaylor2809 That's what I was referring to. I'm curious what cable the Canadian is using. Pure silver conductors appear to be best, ie WW Platinum, PAD and now JCat Signature. The rest seems to be clever combinations of shielding, grounding, dielectrics and sometimes unique geometry. And ocassionally a clever filter sych as Shunyata and Synergistic Research.
Ray H Posted March 20, 2020 Posted March 20, 2020 New Cable: DH Labs Reunion Cat 8 Connected upstream to: Kii three/BXT system and Sony HAP-Z1ES. Upgraded from: Stock Kii cables. Switch: N/A Other downstream: Curious USB evolved. Other cables you considered: Nordstrom Heimdall 2- but probably too expensive for an initial shot over the bow. Reason for your choice: @PMAAMP ‘s recommendation above. Good feedback/comments online. Price. Links to info about the new cable: Your comments/observations: Build quality is very nice compared to stock CAT cables. They are a bit physically stiff, which is a bit of a negative, but very minor. Sound quality increase; frankly a bit shocking how much better this is in the context of the Kii system. Initial thoughts are that I am very impressed considering the relatively low cost, even for a 2 and 5 metre cable together, ie around one 5th of the cost of the Nordost Heimdall 2 equivelant. sound quality difference includes, bigger soundstage, much better bass, smoother sound without loss of detail, more organic less digital. Thanks @dbastin and @PMAAMP for this thread and recommendation which spurred me to upgrade the cables, which I assumed would make a very negligible difference. 3 1
I'mInterested Posted March 21, 2020 Posted March 21, 2020 New Cable: Cardas Clear Cat7 Connected upstream to: NAD M12 Upgraded from: Bluejeans Cat6 Switch: N/A Other downstream: Bluejeans from modem, + long runs of generic Other cables you considered: Sotm Cat6, Wireworld platinum Reason for your choice: experience with Cardas, flexibility of the cable itself, a really good used price, perfect length Links to info about the new cable: https://www.dedicatedaudio.com/products/cardas-clear-c7-audiophile-ethernet-cable?variant=26105465475 (it actually has more info on the cable than the Cardas site) Your comments/observations: I got the Bluejeans with a view to it getting the signal through without any problems (http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/is-your-cat6-a-dog.htm) and for its flexibility in the cable itself. They come with individualised compliance testing results for each cable. I was interested in whether there might be an audio difference between Ethernet cables. Various forum debates suggested the Wireworld platinum was great, but it never seemed available in the size I wanted and it's rather expensive if taking a punt on whether an Ethernet cable will make a difference, or fit! The Cardas cable itself is quite flexible and fitted easily enough. I found it was quite soft and spacey to start with, a bit dull even. Gradually it found its way and locked into things. It's more relaxing and melodic than the Bluejeans and brings a whole lot more body to the music in my set up. So a keeper for me! 4
mr_gray Posted April 19, 2020 Posted April 19, 2020 @44maloo would love to hear what you think about that shunyata sigma ethernet cable. care to share?
mr_gray Posted June 4, 2020 Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) ok so @44maloo i have done your work for you and gone and bought a sigma cable myself. this closely followed the installation of a DH labs reunion. the setup i am applying these cables to is modem to router (one ethernet cable required), then router to antipodes cx and then the cx to the ex. so 3 places i need an ethernet cable. i spent a night with the dh labs trying it in the 3 different spots. outer ring worked best. creates 3d world fo music type effect. just lower noise i think. anyway i bought a sigma. store out of stock but they sent me an alpha as a place holder. i thought that was pretty great. eventually they post me the sigma and i hold onto alpha for several days (possibly a week) because i want to hear what $3.5k of ethernet cable does. does it make a big difference for example. alot of change in my system lately and you heard the system just settle into it as the week progressed. so black and deep and quite beautiful. wonderful low volume performance. it is beyond i can hear that new bit in the song now (still happens but maybe i care less). it is about feeling like the timbre is accurate and detailed and maybe even being able to get more resolution on actual notes plus the 3d-ness of the presentation. i took alpha out to return it today. without it the sound is awful. like skim milk. Quote Edited June 4, 2020 by mr_gray 1
44maloo Posted June 4, 2020 Posted June 4, 2020 Great news on the sigma. Sorry I’ve not posted yet, I’m doing a full kitchen Reno and very busy . But I will post my views on the sigma in the coming days. joe.
dbastin Posted June 5, 2020 Author Posted June 5, 2020 @mr_gray, it would if be great if you could use the template to provide s bit more context to your observations. For interest, a recent review of Shunyata ethernet ... https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/shunyata-research-venom-delta-alpha-sigma-ethernet-cables
44maloo Posted June 5, 2020 Posted June 5, 2020 Hello to everyone watching this post. This is an update on the Shunyata Sigma Ethernet Cable. Having read positive reviews on this product i decided to purchase this for my system, Using an MSB platinum signature DAC with Renderer module ARC Ref 150 tube amp and JBL DD 55000 Everest Speakers. My Sigma is 3 meter in length as i wanted to get it away from the system to avoid noise. I like to evaluate a cable straight out of the box so once the system was warmed up i began to have a listen, the current cable i was using was an Audioquest Vodka and listening for around an hour the sigma sounded more quite and liquid to me. Another thing was how black the back round was , if you haven't heard this your missing out on how this impacts your system it is very addictive. The Sigma is refined engauging very balanced, it's neither forward or recessed, The bass is smooth and punchy combined with the best feature of this cable the soundstage which is open wide and utterly beautiful. It respects the voicing so good nothing is more pronounced so treble mid and bass all work in harmony. I stream via Roon with Tidal which i enjoy, The Router is a Nettcom standard Router which has me wondering if an upgrade hear to net better benefits again which i will look at it the coming months. For those after a comparision on the Vodka VS Sigma my thoughts are the Vodak is an excellent upgrade over standard Cat 5 cable no doubt to me. The Vodka has more bass weight compared to the Sigma this is not a criticism on the Sigma. Also the Vodka seems to me to be a bit louder and forward compared to the Sigma, My advice if your looking to dip your toe into the Ethernet cable market if you listen to Rock Pop and Dance music the Vodka could be for you it's excellent for this. It is great on vocals and hi end music to but the Sigma is more refined balanced and just a joy to listen to and i think the best your system is the more you will get out of the Sigma especially if you are looking for a cable that has a big beautiful sound stage it's amazing. joe. 1 1
dbastin Posted June 6, 2020 Author Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, 44maloo said: Having read positive reviews It would be great if you have time to share links to those reviews. I suspect Shunyata has a top class group of people to evaluate its prototypes - from recording engineers to medical imaging experts. 5 hours ago, 44maloo said: I like to evaluate a cable straight out of the box I've found there's a period of a few songs where eirher I am adjusting to a different cable, and/or the cable is getting settled - I suspect things like the contacts and vibrations and such. And then there is some burn in, which probably varies depending on the cable. Yes, even just for data! In addition, whatever is in those common mode fliters might have a settling/optimising period. I suspect its some kind of crystal/mineral powder mix. Here's a pic for those readers who are not familiar with this ... And on the subject of those filters, I suspect that is one way of dealing with noise that may be as effective as an audiophile switch. I have been experimenting with EtherRegen (with its MOAT isolation), JCAT Signature LAN (which has a crystal based filtering sheild), Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Reference Ethernet (with SR ground plane tech), SOtM ISO CAT, fibre, and Synergistic Research ECTs. They all deal with noise ... so its about combining and balancing their effects without over-doing filtering (and expense), which could be a risk in less resolving systems. I feel we need to consider this as a system (well, sub-system of our entire hifi system). I have been considering starting a new thread about putting together a ethernet system - combining network hardware, cables, PSUs, isolators, filters, grounding and other tweaks. So far from a journey of incremental improvements I have evolved to this (note isolation Antipodes Edge Server with ECT at LAN port > Wireworld Platinum > Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch with ECT on isolation transformer > fibre > EtherRegen (MOAT) with ECT at outgoing LAN port > JCAT Signature LAN > ISO CAT > SR Atmosphere X Ref > ECT on last connector > endpoint (Devialet Pro). ECT are very effective for their cost. https://www.synergisticresearch.com/isolation/accessories/ect/ This pic is inside my EtgerRegen. I have resisted putting ECT inside Devialet yet until I optimise the network external to it, then I will put ECT in Devialet and go to the most remote cable and start to swap out to see if much if any SQ is lost. So far, isolation matters, as does the connection from last isolation to endpoint. While EtherRegen is very good, it benefitted SQ by even shifting server from EtherRegen Side A to EdgeSwitch, to be upstream of fibre and this achieve an extra layer of isolation. What the?! This is mysterious stuff! And putting ISO CAT in the chain of the last connection, even with top rank cables, improved SQ. So that last connection has RRP of AU$3700, but I bought all used for much less. As if that weren't enough, an ECT on the very end gained another improvement. This is not to brag, simply to highlight there are still gains to be made and expense to be considered, possibly even with Sigma. And I agree the results are addictive. Edited June 6, 2020 by dbastin 4
mr_gray Posted June 6, 2020 Posted June 6, 2020 (edited) mr_gray's review of sigma ethernet cable New Cable: Shunyata Sigma Ethernet Connected upstream to: Telstra Modem Upgraded from:DH Labs Reunion Switch:? Other downstream:Router Other cables you considered:alpha and venom. Reason for your choice:the balls Links to info about the new cable:see shunyata website Your comments/observations: my experience of ownership is tarnished by fact i was able to pair it with a alpha e/net cable for a week. now the alpha is gone and i am "back" to the sigma alone the difference is notable. a flatter presentation. more broadly i feel like the noise situation is a progression. the two cords together got me to a level of noise so low and a stage so big that i started to hear into notes i guess and there was a magic sheen on even crappy 70s recordings. without the alpha i've gone back to great detail and resolution but lacking the fizz of 3d the alpha brought to the combo. in short: effective, addictive, and maybe absolutely fundamental to good sound. my system settled over the week the new cables were installed. on the last 2 nights it was quite sublime. LDR sounding so silken and diaphanous almost. 6 months ago i was spending 2k on power cords sure but ethernet cable. gedoutahere! and also, this sigma connects a modem to an apple router. i have no idea why but i decided for home wifi to transmit wifi from the apple router so i connect the modem by ethernet to router. router then to CX, etc. so the music is on the cx. music is not coming from internet. experimentation found the best place for cable was outer orbit. for me that is modem to router. huge soundstage. so i put this 2k ethernet cable between a telstra modem and my apple router and then the router connects to CX via dh labs reunion, and it sounds completely different. and over time you begin to understand that the difference is just less noise. Edited June 6, 2020 by mr_gray 4
44maloo Posted June 29, 2020 Posted June 29, 2020 Looking to try an Audioquest diamond Ethernet if anyone has one lone. I can lend my Shunyata sigma as a swap. The cables do make a dioand it’s system dependent.
notchasingrainbows Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 Interesting to see alot of great reviews on the shunyata alpha and sigma. Im very curious how do the sigma compared to the pachanko aphelion? Has anyone compared both in their system?
dbastin Posted July 27, 2020 Author Posted July 27, 2020 On 17/02/2020 at 10:39 PM, dbastin said: Shunyata Omega AU$4500 https://shunyata.com/products/digital-cables/omega-series-digital-cables/omega-ethernet/ Well, Shunyata now has an even better ethernet cable, at AU$4500 ! So watch out for used ones Sigma's coming onto the market. On 06/06/2020 at 6:35 PM, mr_gray said: music is not coming from internet. experimentation found the best place for cable was outer orbit. for me that is modem to router. Firstly, I'm somewhat puzzled, most people's home modem's are also router and switch in one. And as I understand, nbn does not need modem. I suspect you may mean the nbn connection box rather than modem (well, its probably a modem of sorts). I agree, isolate from the noise of the outside world and all the devices between your audio gear and internet devices. I suggest try router > fibre > switch > Sigma > CX etc. The fibre will give a good level of isolation for low cost. Better still, add an audio grade switch, EtherRegen, SOtM, Dela and Melco accept fibre via SFP ports. 1
Assisi Posted July 30, 2020 Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) I posted recently in the Switches Part A thread to say “I should have another Bonn N8 by the middle of next week plus two new network cables that are supposed to be the absolute bees knees. It will be interesting.” They arrived yesterday. I haven’t had much to do with the Switch at the moment. I plugged the cables in and I was transfixed. The two cables are put together in Audio business in Melbourne and are Acoustic Revive with Telegartener plugs. I have a few different cables but have not experienced many of the hiend Ethernet cables except the Audioquest Diamond. So, you may think that I may exaggerate with what I say next. These new cables for me are absolutely out of this world. Except for the plugs it is just small diameter red cable. Nothing directional. Nothing fancy at all. After listening for awhile I did not want to go to bed last night. I didn’t sleep well as I wanted to start again in the morning to make sure it was not just imagination. I was told that the cables would be better after a night of connection. Well they definitely were better again. The previous night experience was not imagination at all. I now have a new system and it was significantly special before the new cables arrived. The bad news is I do not have a cost and there are none left because the maker only had few metres of the cable. I do expect that the cost will be significant on a price performance outcome. Customers who were lucky to hear them last week bought all the stock. More is coming though. Switches are one thing but these cables are another level again. There are not enough words to describe what these cables do. There may other cables out there that can achieve the results of these little red wonders. I would be surprised if at waht I expect the price point though. John Edited July 30, 2020 by Assisi
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