The Ethernet cables, Switches and Network related sound thread. Share your listening experience only.

[Sharppain]

Not even neysayers can talk against such product that solves an issue. And that it cant make a difference.

Hahaha. I do not have a problem anymore.

 

[bluenight]

Coming from the A6 thread?

Yes.

 

[TheR0v3r]

Report
So I’ve compared the Furutech LAN-8 NCF, Shunyata Delta and the new Shunyata Theta Ethernet cables:

- Furutech LAN-8 NCF: It’s a clear improvement over the stock Ethernet cables I have. It has good tonality, speed and resolution (which mainly seems to come from low noise). The drawbacks is that, in comparison with the two Shunyata’s, the bass is ”loose” (not floppy) but more as lacking definition and instrument separation or layering is a weak spot. That lack of instrument separation is actually why I consider it’s stronger resolution an effect of low noise rather than actual resolving capability.

- Shunyata Delta and Theta: Because when it comes to actual resolving capability the Shunyata Theta is fantastic! One song I love to listen to and enjoy using when evaluating gear is Rickie Lee Jones ”Woody and Dutch on the Slow Train to Peking” from the album ”Pirates” (amazing!). On that track there is chattering like when you overhear people meeting on the street. It’s much easier to pick up what they are actually saying with either of the Shunyata’s vs the Furutech. Otherwise the Theta is excellent all around with great dynamics being a highlight, I’d like to describe it as ”energetic”.

IF your system already is borderline too ”energetic” I might actually give it a pass and instead consider the Shunyata Delta. The Delta is more ”laid back” and still very good (as in better than the Furutech) but not as good as the Theta. I’d actually go so far to say that the performance of the Theta is on a level that I’d pass on the (even more) expensive Shunyata Alpha and consider either the Shunyata Sigma or Omega as upgrades. (And let me add that IMHO the choice between the Sigma and Omega is not as clear-cut as the Omega being better than the Sigma - make sure to evaluate both in your system!)

The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End?
In my quest to improve my networking setup I’m now comparing three Shunyata Ethernet cables.

As things stand I’ve evaluated different Ethernet switches and come to the conclusion that the Silentpower LAN iPurifier Pro with upgraded SMPS is excellent. I’ve had more (and much more!) expensive switches here but in the end have found that some of them fall in the ”different” rather than ”better” category, and some are just not as good... So the stone left unturned is finding the right Ethernet cable.

Shunyata’s Ethernet cables are the best I’ve heard with the caveat that my experience is limited to a few brands. My focus is on three cables from them: Shunyata Theta, Sigma and Omega. (The Theta is my own and the two others are on loan from my very generous local shop.) It seems as though the Theta is part of a new line of Ethernet cables while the Sigma and Omega have been around for a while. I’ve always liked the Sigma and Omega so despite the possibilty/probability of new versions being even better I consider it worthwhile to compare new (Theta) with old (Sigma and Omega). I started off by comparing the Sigma to the Omega.

That comparison was actually just meant to confirm that the Omega was in fact the better cable before moving on to comparing the Omega with the Theta. Imagine my surprise when it wasn’t! There are actually some things I enjoy more with the Sigma vs Omega. And the strengths of the Omega are maybe even of minor worth (to me!) in comparison to the strengths of the Sigma. I need to give this some more time before coming to any conclusions.

P.S. Although I’m uncertain about the Sigma vs Omega it’s obvious to me that they both play on another, higher level versus the Theta so no point in spendning time on that comparison.

 

[TheR0v3r]

The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End?
In my quest to improve my networking setup I’m now comparing three Shunyata Ethernet cables.

As things stand I’ve evaluated different Ethernet switches and come to the conclusion that the Silentpower LAN iPurifier Pro with upgraded SMPS is excellent. I’ve had more (and much more!) expensive switches here but in the end have found that some of them fall in the ”different” rather than ”better” category, and some are just not as good... So the stone left unturned is finding the right Ethernet cable.

Shunyata’s Ethernet cables are the best I’ve heard with the caveat that my experience is limited to a few brands. My focus is on three cables from them: Shunyata Theta, Sigma and Omega. (The Theta is my own and the two others are on loan from my very generous local shop.) It seems as though the Theta is part of a new line of Ethernet cables while the Sigma and Omega have been around for a while. I’ve always liked the Sigma and Omega so despite the possibilty/probability of new versions being even better I consider it worthwhile to compare new (Theta) with old (Sigma and Omega). I started off by comparing the Sigma to the Omega.

That comparison was actually just meant to confirm that the Omega was in fact the better cable before moving on to comparing the Omega with the Theta. Imagine my surprise when it wasn’t! There are actually some things I enjoy more with the Sigma vs Omega. And the strengths of the Omega are maybe even of minor worth (to me!) in comparison to the strengths of the Sigma. I need to give this some more time before coming to any conclusions.

P.S. Although I’m uncertain about the Sigma vs Omega it’s obvious to me that they both play on another, higher level versus the Theta so no point in spendning time on that comparison.

Update
There has been something bothering me when listening to these Ethernet cables. The technical performance of my system has improved but somehow the musiciality hasn’t. And that’s pretty troublesome because it’s the music that is to be enjoyed...

Now what I’m about to write could come across as bordering on ”insane” but it seems that the improved performance has uncovered a weakness in my system - it’s the power connectors! So now I’m switching power cables. It never ends.

 

[kingoftown1]

What power cables are you using currently?

 

[TheR0v3r]

What power cables are you using currently?

The issue seems to be the connector not the cable(s). I’m using Furutech FI-50’s. They have served me really well on the different cables I’ve used them on, mainly for my digital gear. However with Ethernet cables of the caliber of Shunyata Sigma and Omega in my system something isn’t right.

If people I trust say that the Omega is the most resolving Ethernet cable they heard, even more so than the Sigma, how come I’m not hearing it? Instead the Sigma is fuller sounding, with more body and weight to the sound with the same level of details. But somehow both end up feeling slightly ”held back” presenting dynamics and soundstage very similarly.

So why am I questioning the connectors? For a short time I had the Furutech DPS-4 with FI-50’s connected to my headphone amplifier. It wasn’t a good fit at all but I was so sure it was the cable (previous experiences with Furutech power cables being less than stellar) I didn’t think anymore about the connectors. On the headphone amplifier I got a much better result with the Belden 19364 power cable using a combination of Furutech FI-E11 and ETI Legato IEC connectors.

As my streamer seem to be even more sensitive to power cords than the headphone amplifier I briefly tried switching the cords around (despite thinking I was using the best cord on the streamer). And it made a difference to what I was hearing with the two Shunyata’s. So now I’ll be making that the same power cord to use with my streamer. Let’s see how it goes.

 

[TheR0v3r]

The issue seems to be the connector not the cable(s). I’m using Furutech FI-50’s. They have served me really well on the different cables I’ve used them on, mainly for my digital gear. However with Ethernet cables of the caliber of Shunyata Sigma and Omega in my system something isn’t right.

If people I trust say that the Omega is the most resolving Ethernet cable they heard, even more so than the Sigma, how come I’m not hearing it? Instead the Sigma is fuller sounding, with more body and weight to the sound with the same level of details. But somehow both end up feeling slightly ”held back” presenting dynamics and soundstage very similarly.

So why am I questioning the connectors? For a short time I had the Furutech DPS-4 with FI-50’s connected to my headphone amplifier. It wasn’t a good fit at all but I was so sure it was the cable (previous experiences with Furutech power cables being less than stellar) I didn’t think anymore about the connectors. On the headphone amplifier I got a much better result with the Belden 19364 power cable using a combination of Furutech FI-E11 and ETI Legato IEC connectors.

As my streamer seem to be even more sensitive to power cords than the headphone amplifier I briefly tried switching the cords around (despite thinking I was using the best cord on the streamer). And it made a difference to what I was hearing with the two Shunyata’s. So now I’ll be making that the same power cord to use with my streamer. Let’s see how it goes.

How Things Change
After switching connectors the differences between the two Ethernet cables now has become more obvious:

That comparison was actually just meant to confirm that the Omega was in fact the better cable before moving on to comparing the Omega with the Theta. Imagine my surprise when it wasn’t! There are actually some things I enjoy more with the Sigma vs Omega. And the strengths of the Omega are maybe even of minor worth (to me!) in comparison to the strengths of the Sigma. I need to give this some more time before coming to any conclusions.

The difference between them is actually more or less clear depending on the music you listen to. I’ll give them both some more time to settle in my system before coming to a final opinion.

P.S. They should come with a warning: ”Don’t try these at home, they won’t be going back!”.

 

[pulsedriver]

Which connectors did you change? I can't follow but interested at the result....

 

[TheR0v3r]

Which connectors did you change? I can't follow but interested at the result....

From Furutech FI-50’s (R) NCF to Furutech FI-E11 (Cu) and ETI Legato (G) IEC.

 

[bluenight]

@TheR0v3r what other switches did you try?

 

[TheR0v3r]

@TheR0v3r what other switches did you try?

I’ve had Innuos and Nuprime apart from consumer switches (Dlink, Netgear etc). All with upgraded power supplies and/or power cords.

Now I use iFi SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro w/ upgraded SMPS.

 

[pulsedriver]

So now switch, only SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro ? What does it change sonically?

 

[bluenight]

I’ve had Innuos and Nuprime apart from consumer switches (Dlink, Netgear etc). All with upgraded power supplies and/or power cords.

Now I use iFi SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro w/ upgraded SMPS.

Thanks for sharing.

Was it the Innous Phoenix Net? ( I think they only made that one switch)

I was tempted by it when i saw an used one for around half the price but now it seems overpriced according to your findings.

It would be great with an SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro with 4 Rj45 ports imo

 

[TheR0v3r]

Thanks for sharing.

Was it the Innous Phoenix Net? ( I think they only made that one switch)

I was tempted by it when i saw an used one for around half the price but now it seems overpriced according to your findings.

It would be great with an SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro with 4 Rj45 ports imo

Yes it was the Innuos Phoenix Net. I’ve heard an upgraded Phoenix Net (better internal power supply) and an upgraded power cord that sounded excellent. But as I wrote so does the LAN iPurifier Pro (LPP):

”…come to the conclusion that the Silentpower LAN iPurifier Pro with upgraded SMPS is excellent.”

That upgraded Phoenix Net with power cord costs around €10 000 vs the LPP with iPower at around €400… Now this is in my headphones system so things may very well be different in a loudspeaker system or in a different headphone system.

P.S. My chain is: Switch -> Ethernet cable -> LPP w/ upgraded SMPS -> Ethernet cable -> Streamer

 

[TheR0v3r]

How Things Change
After switching connectors the differences between the two Ethernet cables now has become more obvious:



The difference between them is actually more or less clear depending on the music you listen to. I’ll give them both some more time to settle in my system before coming to a final opinion.

P.S. They should come with a warning: ”Don’t try these at home, they won’t be going back!”.

Ok, now I feel confident enough in my opinion about the Shunyata Omega and Sigma Ethernet. Let me start off by stating that both are very nice cables. They are a joy to use and are also built to the highest standards which makes them very pleasing to handle, if that is important to you.

Both cables have a natural tone with nice frequency extension. The Omega differs when it comes to the noise floor by taking it lower. What this does is making it easier to hear those small details in the music.

Edit: Shorter.