Ethernet cables to and from your switch?

[TheFlash]

Don't have an answer for your directionality question. On directionality, all I can say was that when I swapped ends with the Supra, it was definitely much better one way than the other. I, like you, do want to understand why things happen or how they work, but in this case I really don't know. I guess contacting Supra may provide an answer?

Cable settling. I shall define what I mean by this. Cables don't like to be moved, so when you first put them in a system, they need time to settle. Even a cable that has 1,000s of hours on it like the Supra I mentioned above. It was fully burned in but had been out of the system for probably a year and so it needed some settling time to sound correct. I knew after a day or two, the newly inserted Supra 8+, that something was still wrong. And so I switched it end for end and after a little more settling, the sound was much better.

'My answer: nothing changes but your ears.' - I'd prefer if you not speak for me. I know my system quite well. I can hear any change I make and the one I'm talking about above wasn't subtle. That I can't explain why there was a change, of course also does not mean that it did not occur. Regards

We definitely have different experiences of cables.

I wasn't speaking for you, honest, I was suggesting a reason why you heard what you heard. Happy to learn from other directionality/"settling" theories, I just haven't seen or heard any yet.

 

[TheFlash]

I've modified STP and S/FTP cables by removing the gold wrap from one end, leaving only the non-conductive plastic. I've modified CAT8 cables by replacing one metal RJ45 connector with a generic plastic connector. I had one of my Furutech cables modified, upgrading both connectors with Telegartners and lifting the ground on one end. In some cases I use a LAN Isolator to break the ground connection, a strategy also used by SOtM for their ethernet cables.

Hi @audiobomber , I found your list of 4 different ways of "de-grounding" (if I am allowed to make up a word) one end of a shielded cable most helpful.
I have a Melco C1AE here which for all intents and purposes appear to be the same as the C100 except for the latter being grounded at one end only. I could just buy a C100 and compare but I'm interested in seeing if I can lift the earth one end of the C1AE before I do that.
Most straightforward and most DIYable seems to be to either (a) remove the gold wrap from one end or (b) source a LAN isolator.
I don't yet have the tools to re-terminate an ethernet cable myself so I guess that rules out your second option. Getting someone else to re-terminate for me seems sensible for most folk though I think I'd need to be starting with something like a Furutech cable to justify the investment.
Great food for thought. Thanks again.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

He has, by me also, because the truth speaks through him!

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Manufacturers probably mark directionality to keep audiophools happy, and it makes it easier when you change equipment, you know you are keeping the direction the same.

Are you a happy audiophool?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

@Republicoftexas69 Don't you believe in keeping the directionality the same, the gentleman from Melco told us they mark one end of their C100 cable not because it sounds better one way or the other, but to enable the customer to keep it the same direction no matter how many times you remove the cable and then re-install.

If there is an indicator on a cable I will use it. If not oh well... not fiddle farting doing an A/B comparison on a bidirectional cable. If I tell the music will sound better with your finger up your gazeekee you going to try it?

 

[Antonio66]

Are you a happy audiophool?

I'm a happy music listener, I don't waste money on hifi when I cannot hear a difference. If I can hear an improvement I have to decide how much that improvement is worth, I may be better off saving my money an improving a different piece in my hifi chain.

 

[Antonio66]

If there is an indicator on a cable I will use it. If not oh well... not fiddle farting doing an A/B comparison on a bidirectional cable. If I tell the music will sound better with your finger up your gazeekee you going to try it?

I certainly do not waste my time changing the direction of my cable, if the manufacturer marks directionality then I will follow their guide. Sorry but I don't understand the term 'gazeekee', but I don't usually put my finger up anything whilst listening to music.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I'm a happy music listener, I don't waste money on hifi when I cannot hear a difference. If I can hear an improvement I have to decide how much that improvement is worth, I may be better off saving my money an improving a different piece in my hifi chain.

So why do you have to make such a divisive comment calling people audiophiles?
It may be that your system is not that revealing.
Anyways enjoy what you have and maybe a little less name calling. Agon maybe?

 

[Antonio66]

@Republicoftexas69 I wasn't calling anyone names by using the word audiophools.
The system I'm looking at consists of Rossini Apex, Antipodes K50, Audionet Humboldt and Estelon speakers, I'll let you decide how revealing that is.

 

[b345t]

Theoretically Supra Is non-directional because both ends are grounded.

The C100 has the Melco name printed on the grounded connector. That end goes upstream.

Is it critical? Every audiophile has some amount of OCD, so sure, direction is critical. Some may want to try both directions and there's nothing terribly wrong with that.

Could you possibly clarify what you mean by upstream vs downstream? I am waiting for my C100 to arrive today. From what I understand, it is better to connect the side with the Melco name printed on the first router and the 'un-named' side on the switch? Thanks

 

[Antonio66]

@b345t This statement came directly from Melco:-


The RJ45 connector carrying the Melco logo is the end that the shield (screen) is connected to and this should be connected at the product that is grounded, normally indicated by the presence of a 3 pin plug socket such as a IEC "kettle socket".

If neither end is grounded then simply connect the Melco logo at the source end (start of signal flow).