[iFi audio]

The DAC is not the first thing in the chain that can affect audio quality as it is not the first thing in the audio chain.

That's true. Power is the first thing that affects audio quality

I see you have the innous phoenixnet. Any good? heard a difference from what you previously used?

The word is that their USB reclocker is very good.

 

[audiobomber]

I've finished my ethernet cable trial. From Wednesday until Sunday, three cables were auditioned, for several hours daily, connected between the etherREGEN and my Playpoint streamer. All cables were 3-ft long or shorter:
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...8-Ethernet-Cable/p/380224641/category=4059160
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...able-***-New-***/p/322022400/category=4059160
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07WRX7YBZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yauhody CAT8 cables are dead cheap, but in previous listening tests vs. other CAT5e, 6, 6a, and CAT7 from U-Green, Monoprice, CableCreations, and even vs. Supra CAT8, I always ended up in the same place; with a full chain of Yauhody. I know someone who runs a 10Gbps system using this cable, so it is technically very capable.

Yauhody CAT8 has what I call a chocolatey tonal balance; great bass power but lacking a bit of definition, very good soundstage, loses a bit of detail due to its warmth, great PRaT and listenability. I know it's too warm to be accurate, especially since I added the etherREGEN, that's why I borrowed the Audio Sensibility cables from a friend. His system is much more expensive than mine and shows off the Audio Sensibility cables very well. He uses three Supra+ cables, one of which is 50 feet long, with a short Signature cable to the streamer. The Signature cable with all Yauhody was not good, even warmer than my all-Yauhody system. To better mimic my friend's system, I replaced all three upstream cables with Supra CAT8 and removed the LAN Isolator/filter, which was feeding the etherREGEN, for the remainder of the tests.

Supra CAT8 cable has some excellent qualities, but is flawed, IME. Soundstage is very good, detail is excellent, and it adds a bit of glossiness, which audiophiles tend to love. Treble is a little too bright, bass is very articulate but suppressed. The Supra+ cable has similar tonal balance, but is livelier, with better dynamics. Both versions lack bass heft, and with some music, a bit of ethereal quality lacking solidity, which disappoints me. What's worse is that I don't find Supra cable very musical. I find it fatiguing over time, at least in my system.

The expensive Signature cable was the winner in this shootout. It had all the audiophile goodies; smooth, great soundstage, micro detail, etc. Tonality was an oddity, because it adds an obvious bass kick, which goes a long way to making up for the reticent bass of the Supra cable. However, even with the bass bump, I could still hear some lack of solidity from the Supra.

I considered ordering the Signature, but I felt my system would be more musical without Supra, and I had one more setup to try. When I borrowed my friend's cables, I left him with a few cables so he could at least play his system when he returned from his trip. One of the cables I left him was a Tera Grand CAT7 like this one, except 18" long:
https://www.teragrand.com/products/...-feet-purple-blue?_pos=8&_sid=16618c888&_ss=r

I had used this cable several time previously and loved its superior midrange clarity and awesome bass definition, medium soundstage size, but the treble energy was always too much to handle, long term. Predictably, it was too bright using Supra upstream, pretty good with Yauhody. Putting the LAN Isolator back into the system upstream of the etherRegen brought the joy. Bass is tight and powerful, treble is revealing and appropriately controlled, midrange clarity is outstanding. I wasn't able to compare directly with Supra/Signature, but I am confident that Yauhody/TeraGrand is the sound for me.

The lesson I take from these tests is that synergy with my system, and the other cables in the chain, is paramount. Another expensive cable might be better than what I have, but could just as easily spoil the sound and require me to start over to find suitable upstream cables. I am no longer actively shopping for ethernet cables. YMMV, HTH.

 

[teknorob23]

I've finished my ethernet cable trial. From Wednesday until Sunday, three cables were auditioned, for several hours daily, connected between the etherREGEN and my Playpoint streamer. All cables were 3-ft long or shorter:
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...8-Ethernet-Cable/p/380224641/category=4059160
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...able-***-New-***/p/322022400/category=4059160
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07WRX7YBZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yauhody CAT8 cables are dead cheap, but in previous listening tests vs. other CAT5e, 6, 6a, and CAT7 from U-Green, Monoprice, CableCreations, and even vs. Supra CAT8, I always ended up in the same place; with a full chain of Yauhody. I know someone who runs a 10Gbps system using this cable, so it is technically very capable.

Yauhody CAT8 has what I call a chocolatey tonal balance; great bass power but lacking a bit of definition, very good soundstage, loses a bit of detail due to its warmth, great PRaT and listenability. I know it's too warm to be accurate, especially since I added the etherREGEN, that's why I borrowed the Audio Sensibility cables from a friend. His system is much more expensive than mine and shows off the Audio Sensibility cables very well. He uses three Supra+ cables, one of which is 50 feet long, with a short Signature cable to the streamer. The Signature cable with all Yauhody was not good, even warmer than my all-Yauhody system. To better mimic my friend's system, I replaced all three upstream cables with Supra CAT8 and removed the LAN Isolator/filter, which was feeding the etherREGEN, for the remainder of the tests.

Supra CAT8 cable has some excellent qualities, but is flawed, IME. Soundstage is very good, detail is excellent, and it adds a bit of glossiness, which audiophiles tend to love. Treble is a little too bright, bass is very articulate but suppressed. The Supra+ cable has similar tonal balance, but is livelier, with better dynamics. Both versions lack bass heft, and with some music, this disappoints me. What's worse is that I don't find Supra cable very musical. TI find it fatiguing over time, at least in my system. YMMV.

The expensive Signature cable was the winner in this shootout. It had all the audiophile goodies; smooth, great soundstage, micro detail, etc. Tonality was an oddity, because it adds an obvious bass kick, which goes a long way to making up for the reticent bass of the Supra cable. However, even with the bass bump, I could still hear some lack of bass power from the Supra.

I considered ordering the Signature, but I felt my system would be more musical without Supra, and I had one more setup to try. When I borrowed my friend's cables, I left him with a few cables so he could at least play his system when he returned from his trip. One of the cables I left him was a Tera Grand CAT7 like this one, except 18" long:
https://www.teragrand.com/products/...-feet-purple-blue?_pos=8&_sid=16618c888&_ss=r

I had used this cable several time previously and loved its superior midrange clarity and awesome bass definition, medium soundstage size, but the treble energy was always too much to handle, long term. Predictably, it was too bright using Supra upstream, pretty good with Yauhody. Putting the LAN Isolator back into the system upstream of the etherRegen brought the joy. Bass is tight and powerful, treble is revealing and appropriately controlled, midrange clarity is outstanding. I wasn't able to compare directly with Supra/Signature, but I am confident that Yauhody/TeraGrand is the sound for me.

The lesson I take from these tests is that synergy with my system, and the other cables in the chain, is paramount. Another expensive cable might be better than what I have, but could just as easily spoil the sound and require me to start over to find suitable upstream cables. I am no longer actively shopping for ethernet cables. YMMV, HTH.

really interesting read, thanks for sharing your experiences, out of interest have you ever tried configuring your ether regen whereby you connect both the input and output via side "a" instead of outputting from side "b"?

 

[cpurdy]

He said he did hear a difference, and you're saying he isn't. Okay man.. How person A precisely knows what person B is experiencing is a trip. Possibly a big help to humanity!

"That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence." (Hitchen's razor)

These are not holy relics, imbued with some sacred-yet-capricious spirit. There is no deus ex machina yet to appear that will magically cause the workings of these devices to suddenly deviate from the well-understood physics upon which their designs were based.

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." (Carl Sagan)

QED

 

[audiobomber]

really interesting read, thanks for sharing your experiences, out of interest have you ever tried configuring your ether regen whereby you connect both the input and output via side "a" instead of outputting from side "b"?

I have not. Are you suggesting that could be better? The moat is one of the reasons I chose the ER.

 

[teknorob23]

I have not. Are you suggesting that could be better? The moat is one of the reasons I chose the ER.

I prefer it but thats not to say you will. I found the moat gave an initial impression of improved clarity, but also sounded slightly unnatural and compressed, yet running it all through the a side, the clarity is there but it sound tonally right and the stage is more open. Everyone's, system, hearing, etc is different which is why if you had the time and inclination, i'd love to hear what you find with it configured this way. Apologies if you've already mentioned this in previous posts, but it would be great to know DAC, streamer, etc you used.

 

[chesebert]

I've finished my ethernet cable trial. From Wednesday until Sunday, three cables were auditioned, for several hours daily, connected between the etherREGEN and my Playpoint streamer. All cables were 3-ft long or shorter:
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...8-Ethernet-Cable/p/380224641/category=4059160
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...able-***-New-***/p/322022400/category=4059160
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07WRX7YBZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yauhody CAT8 cables are dead cheap, but in previous listening tests vs. other CAT5e, 6, 6a, and CAT7 from U-Green, Monoprice, CableCreations, and even vs. Supra CAT8, I always ended up in the same place; with a full chain of Yauhody. I know someone who runs a 10Gbps system using this cable, so it is technically very capable.

Yauhody CAT8 has what I call a chocolatey tonal balance; great bass power but lacking a bit of definition, very good soundstage, loses a bit of detail due to its warmth, great PRaT and listenability. I know it's too warm to be accurate, especially since I added the etherREGEN, that's why I borrowed the Audio Sensibility cables from a friend. His system is much more expensive than mine and shows off the Audio Sensibility cables very well. He uses three Supra+ cables, one of which is 50 feet long, with a short Signature cable to the streamer. The Signature cable with all Yauhody was not good, even warmer than my all-Yauhody system. To better mimic my friend's system, I replaced all three upstream cables with Supra CAT8 and removed the LAN Isolator/filter, which was feeding the etherREGEN, for the remainder of the tests.

Supra CAT8 cable has some excellent qualities, but is flawed, IME. Soundstage is very good, detail is excellent, and it adds a bit of glossiness, which audiophiles tend to love. Treble is a little too bright, bass is very articulate but suppressed. The Supra+ cable has similar tonal balance, but is livelier, with better dynamics. Both versions lack bass heft, and with some music, this disappoints me. What's worse is that I don't find Supra cable very musical. TI find it fatiguing over time, at least in my system. YMMV.

The expensive Signature cable was the winner in this shootout. It had all the audiophile goodies; smooth, great soundstage, micro detail, etc. Tonality was an oddity, because it adds an obvious bass kick, which goes a long way to making up for the reticent bass of the Supra cable. However, even with the bass bump, I could still hear some lack of bass power from the Supra.

I considered ordering the Signature, but I felt my system would be more musical without Supra, and I had one more setup to try. When I borrowed my friend's cables, I left him with a few cables so he could at least play his system when he returned from his trip. One of the cables I left him was a Tera Grand CAT7 like this one, except 18" long:
https://www.teragrand.com/products/...-feet-purple-blue?_pos=8&_sid=16618c888&_ss=r

I had used this cable several time previously and loved its superior midrange clarity and awesome bass definition, medium soundstage size, but the treble energy was always too much to handle, long term. Predictably, it was too bright using Supra upstream, pretty good with Yauhody. Putting the LAN Isolator back into the system upstream of the etherRegen brought the joy. Bass is tight and powerful, treble is revealing and appropriately controlled, midrange clarity is outstanding. I wasn't able to compare directly with Supra/Signature, but I am confident that Yauhody/TeraGrand is the sound for me.

The lesson I take from these tests is that synergy with my system, and the other cables in the chain, is paramount. Another expensive cable might be better than what I have, but could just as easily spoil the sound and require me to start over to find suitable upstream cables. I am no longer actively shopping for ethernet cables. YMMV, HTH.

Need to confirm:
1. Are you using UPNP/DLNA?
2. Does your streamer's UPNP module take advantage of the error correction and retransmission protocol as part of the UPNP protocol?
3. Can you confirm both ends of the ethernet connection are transformer coupled

 

[griff500]

"That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence." (Hitchen's razor)

These are not holy relics, imbued with some sacred-yet-capricious spirit. There is no deus ex machina yet to appear that will magically cause the workings of these devices to suddenly deviate from the well-understood physics upon which their designs were based.

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." (Carl Sagan)

QED

I think you accidentally posted in the wrong topic buddy. Have a look here:

https://www.head-fi.org/forums/sound-science.133/

 

[griff500]

I've finished my ethernet cable trial. From Wednesday until Sunday, three cables were auditioned, for several hours daily, connected between the etherREGEN and my Playpoint streamer. All cables were 3-ft long or shorter:
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...8-Ethernet-Cable/p/380224641/category=4059160
https://audiosensibility.com/blog/p...able-***-New-***/p/322022400/category=4059160
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07WRX7YBZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yauhody CAT8 cables are dead cheap, but in previous listening tests vs. other CAT5e, 6, 6a, and CAT7 from U-Green, Monoprice, CableCreations, and even vs. Supra CAT8, I always ended up in the same place; with a full chain of Yauhody. I know someone who runs a 10Gbps system using this cable, so it is technically very capable.

Yauhody CAT8 has what I call a chocolatey tonal balance; great bass power but lacking a bit of definition, very good soundstage, loses a bit of detail due to its warmth, great PRaT and listenability. I know it's too warm to be accurate, especially since I added the etherREGEN, that's why I borrowed the Audio Sensibility cables from a friend. His system is much more expensive than mine and shows off the Audio Sensibility cables very well. He uses three Supra+ cables, one of which is 50 feet long, with a short Signature cable to the streamer. The Signature cable with all Yauhody was not good, even warmer than my all-Yauhody system. To better mimic my friend's system, I replaced all three upstream cables with Supra CAT8 and removed the LAN Isolator/filter, which was feeding the etherREGEN, for the remainder of the tests.

Supra CAT8 cable has some excellent qualities, but is flawed, IME. Soundstage is very good, detail is excellent, and it adds a bit of glossiness, which audiophiles tend to love. Treble is a little too bright, bass is very articulate but suppressed. The Supra+ cable has similar tonal balance, but is livelier, with better dynamics. Both versions lack bass heft, and with some music, this disappoints me. What's worse is that I don't find Supra cable very musical. TI find it fatiguing over time, at least in my system. YMMV.

The expensive Signature cable was the winner in this shootout. It had all the audiophile goodies; smooth, great soundstage, micro detail, etc. Tonality was an oddity, because it adds an obvious bass kick, which goes a long way to making up for the reticent bass of the Supra cable. However, even with the bass bump, I could still hear some lack of bass power from the Supra.

I considered ordering the Signature, but I felt my system would be more musical without Supra, and I had one more setup to try. When I borrowed my friend's cables, I left him with a few cables so he could at least play his system when he returned from his trip. One of the cables I left him was a Tera Grand CAT7 like this one, except 18" long:
https://www.teragrand.com/products/...-feet-purple-blue?_pos=8&_sid=16618c888&_ss=r

I had used this cable several time previously and loved its superior midrange clarity and awesome bass definition, medium soundstage size, but the treble energy was always too much to handle, long term. Predictably, it was too bright using Supra upstream, pretty good with Yauhody. Putting the LAN Isolator back into the system upstream of the etherRegen brought the joy. Bass is tight and powerful, treble is revealing and appropriately controlled, midrange clarity is outstanding. I wasn't able to compare directly with Supra/Signature, but I am confident that Yauhody/TeraGrand is the sound for me.

The lesson I take from these tests is that synergy with my system, and the other cables in the chain, is paramount. Another expensive cable might be better than what I have, but could just as easily spoil the sound and require me to start over to find suitable upstream cables. I am no longer actively shopping for ethernet cables. YMMV, HTH.

Thanks for sharing an actual experience! Synergy is certainly important. Some mix and matching can be useful, much like you might match certain amps with certain speakers or headphones, although I've pretty much stuck with one type for similar cables where I can - I found that if I liked a cable then there was a good chance that I'd like it even more when I used it through the system where possible.

 

[audiobomber]

I prefer it but thats not to say you will. I found the moat gave an initial impression of improved clarity, but also sounded slightly unnatural and compressed, yet running it all through the a side, the clarity is there but it sound tonally right and the stage is more open. Everyone's, system, hearing, etc is different which is why if you had the time and inclination, i'd love to hear what you find with it configured this way. Apologies if you've already mentioned this in previous posts, but it would be great to know DAC, streamer, etc you used.

OK, I like trying things that are no hassle and free.

Network gear: QNAP 451+ NAS, Netgear GS-305 switch, TP-Link Archer C9 router, TP-Link 580D wi-fi to ethernet bridge (no broadcast), LNF-C8G LAN Isolator, Uptone etherRegen. All except the NAS and etherRegen have upgraded power supplies. Ethernet cables are short lengths of Yauhody CAT8.
Audio gear: exaSound PlayPoint streamer, exaSound e32 Mk II DAC, Meitner MTR-101 Plus monoblocks, Bamberg S5-MTM speakers,
mini-DSP 2x4 for subs only; LR2@48Hz Low Pass, AV123 Rocket UFW10 stereo (L&R) subwoofers with Dayton SPA250 amps
Curious USB cable, Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects and bi-wire speaker cables. All components sit on IsoAcoustics or Auralic isolators.

Need to confirm:
1. Are you using UPNP/DLNA?
2. Does your streamer's UPNP module take advantage of the error correction and retransmission protocol as part of the UPNP protocol?
3. Can you confirm both ends of the ethernet connection are transformer coupled

1. I use Minimserver with BubbleUPnP, streaming is bitperfect.
2. The streamer is an exaSound PlayPoint, which I believe is pretty sophisticated. https://exasound.com/Blog/tabid/74/...-UPnPOpenHome-Step-by-step-Configuration.aspx
3. Not sure what you mean. All ethernet cables are terminated with transformers.

 

[audiobomber]

Thanks for sharing an actual experience! Synergy is certainly important. Some mix and matching can be useful, much like you might match certain amps with certain speakers or headphones, although I've pretty much stuck with one type for similar cables where I can - I found that if I liked a cable then there was a good chance that I'd like it even more when I used it through the system where possible.

Yes, system synergy is synergy. If I had one cable that did it all for me, that would be quite satisfactory and efficient. What are you using? I was only using Yauhody, but mix and match is now working better for me.

 

[griff500]

Yes, system synergy is synergy. If I had one cable that did it all for me, that would be quite satisfactory and efficient. What are you using? I was only using Yauhody, but mix and match is now working better for me.

USB and ethernet are from Sablon Audio. I was particularly impressed with their ethernet cable - an immediately and obvious difference when changing it in and out - it didn't need a period of adjustment to be able to notice the difference. I'll probably try their XLR cables for my active speakers at some point.

 

[audiobomber]

USB and ethernet are from Sablon Audio. I was particularly impressed with their ethernet cable - an immediately and obvious difference when changing it in and out - it didn't need a period of adjustment to be able to notice the difference. I'll probably try their XLR cables for my active speakers at some point.

I have heard only great things about Sablon, but four of their cables for my system would be beyond what I am willing to spend.

 

[griff500]

I have heard only great things about Sablon, but four of their cables for my system would be beyond what I am willing to spend.

A line has to be drawn somewhere.

 

[teknorob23]

OK, I like trying things that are no hassle and free.

Network gear: QNAP 451+ NAS, Netgear GS-305 switch, TP-Link Archer C9 router, TP-Link 580D wi-fi to ethernet bridge (no broadcast), LNF-C8G LAN Isolator, Uptone etherRegen. All except the NAS and etherRegen have upgraded power supplies. Ethernet cables are short lengths of Yauhody CAT8.
Audio gear: exaSound PlayPoint streamer, exaSound e32 Mk II DAC, Meitner MTR-101 Plus monoblocks, Bamberg S5-MTM speakers,
mini-DSP 2x4 for subs only; LR2@48Hz Low Pass, AV123 Rocket UFW10 stereo (L&R) subwoofers with Dayton SPA250 amps
Curious USB cable, Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects and bi-wire speaker cables. All components sit on IsoAcoustics or Auralic isolators.

1. I use Minimserver with BubbleSoftUPnP, streaming is bitperfect.
2. The streamer is an exaSound PlayPoint, which I believe is pretty sophisticated. https://exasound.com/Blog/tabid/74/...-UPnPOpenHome-Step-by-step-Configuration.aspx
3. Not sure what you mean. All ethernet cables are terminated with transformers.

Cool thats a lovely looking, and i bet, sounding system. looking forward to hearing you get on.