Sigma and Sotm dCBL-CAT7 Ethernet cables
- Thread starter ken6217
- Start date
Well I guess I'll have to answer my own question.
I have about 70 hours on the Sigma ethernet cable, and it is excellent. More musical and detailed than the SOtM.
I also picked up the Sigma USB cable and it also is a home run. Definitely better than the Alpha.
I have about 70 hours on the Sigma ethernet cable, and it is excellent. More musical and detailed than the SOtM.
I also picked up the Sigma USB cable and it also is a home run. Definitely better than the Alpha.
I did a comparison recently of the Sigma and AQ Diamond Ethernet cables in my system. I own the Diamonds but preferred the Sigmas - faster, better low end control and more finesse at the top end. I ordered the Sigma.
I realize this is not an answer to your question but wanted to share my experience for reference.
I realize this is not an answer to your question but wanted to share my experience for reference.
I will offer a second opinion on this comparison. I have owned two SOtM dCBL-Cat7 ethernet cables for about 2.5 years now and have not been inspired to audition other cables.
Recently, however, some friends were auditioning cables and I brought my SOtM cable to a friend's house for some comparative listening. In this first comparison, all four of us agreed that the SOtM bested a Shunyata Alpha prototype that one of my friends had received for beta testing, and a Wireworld Platinum Starlight. In a separate and later test, the SOtM easily beat a well-regarded super cheap cable ($12 from Amazon), the Cable Matters 8.
I then had the opportunity to directly audition and compare a Shunyata Sigma ethernet cable in my system over two periods. The first comprised headphone listening only. The second was with my full speaker system. The Sigma is an excellent cable -- you won't go wrong if you buy it. There were, however, consistent differences that I heard in my system between it and the SOtM as follows:
Tonality -- This was the biggest difference and, in my system with my listening preferences, was the deciding factor in favor of the SOtM. In short, voices and instruments sounded more natural with the SOtM cable. A piano sounded more like a real piano. Joni sounded more like the Joni I hear on my analog system. The SOtM's tonality is a little lighter and brighter (but never edgy) and a little warmer than the Sigma.
Transparency -- I give a slight edge to the Sigma on ultimate transparency. This was a little more apparent with headphones than speakers.
Perspective -- The Shunyata is more forward, up close and personal. This can be very engaging with certain tunes.
Transients and Sustain -- The Shunyata excels at delineating transients. The SOtM has more body and sustain.
Bass -- The Shunyata produces extremely articulate, deep bass. The SOtM is no slouch in this department but you notice the bass more with Shunyata.
Part of this choice may depend on the music you listen to. I generally tend to listen to acoustic music. If I listened primarily to rock and electronica, the Shunyata's excellent bass, transient reproduction, and general boogie factor might win the day.
If price is a factor, the SOtM cable sells for $500 and the Shunyata for $900, although I think if you get a longer, custom length, this disparity tends to even out.
I will say one more thing: the Shunyata Sigma USB cable is an amazing cable and made a bigger difference in my system than any ethernet cable.
My digital system consists of:
Roon/Tidal/Qobuz
Mac Mini modified by Uptone Audio in bridged mode serving as Roon Core server (powered by Uptone Audio JS-2 power supply on separate circuit than analog gear)
SOtM dCBL-Cat7 ethernet between modem and router
Long run of generic Cat6a ethernet between home office and listening room
SOtM dCBL-Cat7 ethernet
SOtM sMS-200 Ultra (powered by Uptone Audio LPS-1 with custom Zenwave UPOCC copper cable on different circuit than analog gear)
Uptone Audio Iso Regen (powered by Uptone Audio LPS-1 and custom DC cable on different circuit than analog gear)
SOtM tX-USB Ultra (powered by Uptone Audio LPS-2 with custom Zenwave UPOCC copper cable on different circuit than analog gear)
Audience AU24 SE USB cable
Phasure Lush^2 USB cable in “TANF” configuration
Shunyata Sigma USB cable (connecting tX-USBUltra to Chord M-Scaler)
Chord Hugo M-Scaler powered by Farad Super3 power supply with Audience AU24 SE MP plugged into Audience power conditioner
OPTO DX connecting M-Scaler to DAVE
Chord DAVE with Shunyata Alpha HC power cord plugged into Audience power conditioner
HiFiMan HE1000 headphones (plugged into DAVE)
Crayon CFA 1.2 integrated amp with Synergistic Research Blue Fuses with Shunyata Alpha HC power cord going direct-to-wall on its own separate dedicated circuit
High Fidelity CT-1 Enhanced interconnect between DAVE and amp
Daedalus/WyWires speaker cable
Devore Gibbon X loudspeakers
Two 20 amp dedicated circuits with 10-gauge wire and FIM 888 AC outlets
Audience aR6 TSSOX power conditioner on one of these dedicated circuits
Stillpoints Ultra SS and Ultra Mini under most components including speakers
Finite Elemente rack with Cerabase footers
Equipment Vibration Protectors from A/V Roomservice under other components
Finite Elemente Ceraballs under other components
Stillpoints Aperture acoustic room treatment (2)
A/V Roomservice acoustic room treatment (4)
Acustica Applicata Diffusion Absorption Audio Device
Acoustic Revive Schumann resonator powered by Jameco LPS
ZSleeves
High Fidelity Cables MC 0.5 Wave Guide
I had liked the SOtM until I heard the Sigma. The SOtM has a nice wide holographic soundstage, but just sounded flat in comparison. The Sigma was more musical. Neither cable is bright.
In general I’m. I’m not a fan of SOtM components. I had the USB ultra with their LPS and the music is too thin sounding. No meat on the bones.
I went without a reclocker until I bought an Innous Phoenix reclocker. This a phenomenal reclocker. I’m using it with a Sigma USB in and another for the output.
In general I’m. I’m not a fan of SOtM components. I had the USB ultra with their LPS and the music is too thin sounding. No meat on the bones.
I went without a reclocker until I bought an Innous Phoenix reclocker. This a phenomenal reclocker. I’m using it with a Sigma USB in and another for the output.
I participated in the same listening sessions as @alwayslearning but did not get to compare the Sigma and SOtM directly. I really liked what I heard with the SOtM in my system and was pretty well set to buy one. My plans changed once the demo Sigma cables he mentioned landed here. The Sigma USB delivered a mind-blowing improvement over my Alpha USB - and that improvement gained further with the Sigma Ethernet added to the mix.
I would have a hard time saying that one of these cables is “more musical” than the other. The eye of the beholder becomes a factor as we each have our own preferences as how we like our music served up. Both cables struck me as “musical”, though they each provided a different perspective on the experience. I went with the Sigma but would have likely opted for the SOtM had I planned to stick with my Alpha USB.
I would have a hard time saying that one of these cables is “more musical” than the other. The eye of the beholder becomes a factor as we each have our own preferences as how we like our music served up. Both cables struck me as “musical”, though they each provided a different perspective on the experience. I went with the Sigma but would have likely opted for the SOtM had I planned to stick with my Alpha USB.
Thanks guys, some great info on this thread and good explanations of the characters of these cables.
@alwayslearning,
The Ethernet cables discussed are all on my current shortlist including the Wireworld Plat Starlight. Just hoping if you could give a bit more info on the WW Plat.
Mainly what you found when comparing the WW Plat Ethernet to the Sotm and Sigma and what the Plat sounded like in comparison and where for you it was good and where you felt it fell behind the others.
Many thanks
Tao
Hi thyname,
Diversity of opinion is always fine. Anything positive or valuable beyond what you have already expressed to add on the topic on your experiences with the Ethernet cables being discussed. Btw all audiophiles are hallucinating lol.
No worries, it’s not really a question I’m interested in spending any time on but you’re welcome. Your question isn’t actually the topic thread. PS if you’re looking for the science only forum it already left the complex.
Happy to engage in subjective understanding of listening experiences, it’s where my main interest is, much happier to leave the greater theory debate to others better equipped.
I was just kidding . I have the master of the snake oil: Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Reference Ethernet and USB cables.
I am itching to try some Shunyata Sigma USB and Ethernet
Hi Tao--
When four friends and audiophiles got together and listened to three different ethernet cables, one of those was the Wireworld Platinum Starlight. In comparison to the SOtM dCBL-Cat7, which was the consensus favorite, one of the attendees summed up the feeling of the group with this description of the Starlight: "excellent detail retrieval, slam, and dynamics, but with a sharpness to the piccolos and a forwardness to the presentation that we felt would get fatiguing."
Hope that is helpful.
When four friends and audiophiles got together and listened to three different ethernet cables, one of those was the Wireworld Platinum Starlight. In comparison to the SOtM dCBL-Cat7, which was the consensus favorite, one of the attendees summed up the feeling of the group with this description of the Starlight: "excellent detail retrieval, slam, and dynamics, but with a sharpness to the piccolos and a forwardness to the presentation that we felt would get fatiguing."
Hope that is helpful.
Awesome, very enlightening thanks alwayslearning. I can probably get an audition in on the Shunyata Sigma... so I’ll be able to use that as a base reference to get an idea of where the others might take me and go from there. cheers Tao
No, wasn’t suggesting that lol, was just sayin your initial comment wasn’t typical of a Synergistic man
... all good dude.
No, wasn’t suggesting that lol, was just sayin your initial comment wasn’t typical of a Synergistic man
‘Again, I was just kidding. Dude. And... I am not “a Synergistic man”. I am just an open minded guy. All good. I enjoy your posts. Nothing wrong with having some fun once in a while
Sooooo does that mean that your next post is “Just kidding... am not really an open minded guy at all”‘Again, I was just kidding. Dude. And... I am not “a Synergistic man”. I am just an open minded guy. All good. I enjoy your posts. Nothing wrong with having some fun once in a while
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