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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 12, 2024 18:21:55 GMT
Close run then
I'm so glad when there is a clear cut winner and no turning back
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Post by MartinT on Apr 18, 2024 14:43:03 GMT
First time in the music room since falling sick. I had put aside a cable I intended to try on a rainy day. It came about from a Thai chap on Facebook who was raving about the audio qualities of Cat7 ethernet.
Cat7 was developed before Cat8 in order to improve the bandwidth (10Gbps) and distance (100m). It is not a standard much used any more as Cat8 has usurped it. However, it does have one specification to perk up the ears of audio fans: the twisted pairs are individually shielded as well as having an overall shield.
So today I had a listen to music over my Supra Cat8 and then switched to a uGreen Cat7. So far, so good, it doesn't sound any worse so I'll leave it to burn in. Bear in mind I only use a 1m length between TP-Link router and EtherREGEN, with DXE filters both ends.
As well as the uGreen I also have a DanYee Cat7 coming from Amazon. This is all simple fun and passes the time while I'm feeling like 17 kinds of sh1t.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 18, 2024 15:30:07 GMT
Must be a bad one to be away from the music
Get better soon Martin
Cat7 not obvious, except for the twisted pairs and shield
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Post by MartinT on Apr 18, 2024 17:26:11 GMT
Thanks. You're right, it's not obvious and Cat8 has a higher bandwidth (which is a nonsense for audio use as the bandwidth requirements are so relatively low: 10Gbps for the cable, 9.2Mbps for audio streaming at 24/192 before some FLAC lossless compression). So 1/1000th the capability of the cable or 1/10th that of the EtherREGEN's 100Mbps port.
However, the uGreen is sounding pretty damned good after a couple of hours and I shall have another listen tomorrow evening.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Apr 18, 2024 17:41:33 GMT
Funny you should be playing with CAT cable's Martin. l've recently swapped out sheilded 8.1 for Unsheilded CAT 6,the cheap ebay type, then just added my own sheilding over the cable.only short runs as patches as l run FMC. l keep hearing comments that CAT 6 is better,can't say l know the technical reason, anyway need to live them for a bit, but I say they sound more open, going to swap on weekend and re compare.
Anyway hope you're feeling better soon. I recommend two tea spoons of Black Magic Graphene contact cleaner, with a double whiskey.
Let us know how the cable goes
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Post by MartinT on Apr 18, 2024 19:29:19 GMT
I recommend two tea spoons of Black Magic Graphene contact cleaner, with a double whiskey. That should clean me out nicely  |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 19, 2024 15:52:30 GMT
The uGreen Cat7 sounds just a tad more detailed and incisive whereas the Supra Cat8 sounds more grounded and potent. There isn't a huge amount between them, which is what I expected considering they are only 1m in length and masked somewhat by the DXE filters. However, that does make the uGreen Cat7 a bit of a bargain if you need a longer length of well shielded ethernet cable with decent gold connectors. I'm keeping it in place for a while, it's a really good cable. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086DPWMQM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 19, 2024 16:13:50 GMT
Oh, here's something revealing: play something recorded hideously 'hot' and listen to how the cable deals with it. Bring on Feist - Undiscovered First, my ultimate system brightness torture track.
There's more detail in the tambourines/cymbals but not more brightness. It seems to be extracting more good without the bright sheen. Bass is tighter, too, and not less potent.
My respect for the uGreen has just ramped up a notch.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 19, 2024 16:17:09 GMT
Cheap anyway
Mad for a real performer
Just ordered mine as I think a 1 metre cable is right for me after trying out a 2 metre
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Post by mattspl on Apr 19, 2024 16:47:17 GMT
Sounds like a bargain and good to hear others finding differences in Ethernet cables.
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Post by John on Apr 19, 2024 16:57:04 GMT
A good few years ago I used to use a 2pc setup and went from Cat 5 to 7se, each one made a difference so I am not suprised people are now reporting differences in Cat cables
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Post by MartinT on Apr 20, 2024 10:28:34 GMT
I wanted short patches of the same cable type as the uGreen but the shortest they do is 25cm lengths. No problem, I've ordered two of them to replace the DXE patches, making it Cat7 throughout the length.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 12:11:07 GMT
DXE patch? Sorry I must have missed this, what's that Martin?
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Post by palace on Apr 20, 2024 12:14:24 GMT
Oh, here's something revealing: play something recorded hideously 'hot' and listen to how the cable deals with it. Bring on Feist - Undiscovered First, my ultimate system brightness torture track. There's more detail in the tambourines/cymbals but not more brightness. It seems to be extracting more good without the bright sheen. Bass is tighter, too, and not less potent. My respect for the uGreen has just ramped up a notch. I have just bought the CD of Feist-Metals as a test record... |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 20, 2024 13:04:48 GMT
DXE patch? Sorry I must have missed this, what's that Martin? The pair of DXE ethernet isolation filters come with a pair of short patch cables. So if you truly want the same run of ethernet cable from start to finish, it's best to replace these patch cables with more of the same as the main cable.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 13:29:37 GMT
Ah, what do those units do that the EtherRegen doesn't cover?
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Post by MartinT on Apr 20, 2024 14:01:00 GMT
More noise isolation. A single moat cannot reduce noise to zero, so the more levels of isolation you can have, the better.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 20, 2024 15:59:22 GMT
Had a longer session today. The uGreen is still cutting the mustard. I was taken aback at just how good the system sounds; scale, soundstage, dynamics, detail, bass. I don't want for anything more and yet my Rendu is going to get a 'substantial upgrade' on Thursday.
How lucky am I?
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Post by nicholas on Apr 21, 2024 19:59:33 GMT
So being curious I located a Ugreen Cat 7 cable in my storage box and replaced a rather pricy Cat 8 cable with Telegartner ends. Now I'm scratching my head wondering how a much cheaper cable could sound so good. Early going it appears to have more detail with a slightly improved soundstage. Will be keeping it in the system and see if it improves. I guess the insulation makes a difference.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 21, 2024 20:02:20 GMT
So being curious I located a Ugreen Cat 7 cable in my storage box and replaced a rather pricy Cat 8 cable with Telegartner ends. Now I'm scratching my head wondering how a much cheaper cable could sound so good. Wow - at both "you just happened to have a uGreen Cat7 in your storage box" and that you hear the same as Mike and me. Fun discovery, isn't it? |
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