HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Personally, I would place the AQ vodka from switch to streamer as the final link from the network.

I have AQ Cinnamon (CAT7) in that position that narrowly beats a standard CAT8.

The Vodka is, by all accounts,, quite exceptional.

Fretless wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:11 pm Personally, I would place the AQ vodka from switch to streamer as the final link from the network.

I think this is good advice. AQ do not seem to have Carbon in their ethernet range. I chose DH Labs because of the good results with their USB and BNC cables with synergy in mind.

The Melco C100 has a floating shield, not sure the AQ Vodka does, and don't forget we have had the Muon cable in there without the filter.

The guys at Audiophile Style don't like using shielded cables any more. Unshielded offers better performance apparently. Funny how these things go in cycles.

Shielded from router to switch, especially if you have a long run, we don't, and unshielded from switch to streamer. Melco suggest the floating end of the cable going to the best shielded component, either the switch or streamer but freely admit nothing is carved in stone.

George Hincapie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 7:28 am The guys at Audiophile Style don't like using shielded cables any more. Unshielded offers better performance apparently. Funny how these things go in cycles.

My understanding is that the more EMI there is the greater the need for shielding. I am doubtful if shielding has detrimental effects.

CN211276 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:31 am

George Hincapie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 7:28 am The guys at Audiophile Style don't like using shielded cables any more. Unshielded offers better performance apparently. Funny how these things go in cycles.

My understanding is that the more EMI there is the greater the need for shielding. I am doubtful if shielding has detrimental effects.

So they claim that RFI travels along the shield to the end device. It's all crazy nonsense, ethernet is bombproof by design.

George Hincapie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 7:28 am The guys at Audiophile Style don't like using shielded cables any more. Unshielded offers better performance apparently. Funny how these things go in cycles.

The cynic in me says they go around to generate news sales.

Fwiw my take on it is this, in what I think are sensitive areas, ie phono stage to my pre amp I use shielded cables but not on my speaker cables and because I am a bit of a cable geek and make my own RCA & speaker cables I have undertaken a fair bit of testing and I am confident on my thought process but happily accept my room, my kit and my ears will be different to everyone else's

George Hincapie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 1:32 pm

CN211276 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:31 am

George Hincapie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 7:28 am The guys at Audiophile Style don't like using shielded cables any more. Unshielded offers better performance apparently. Funny how these things go in cycles.

My understanding is that the more EMI there is the greater the need for shielding. I am doubtful if shielding has detrimental effects.

So they claim that RFI travels along the shield to the end device. It's all crazy nonsense, ethernet is bombproof by design.

I was told that using a fully shielded cable between switch and streamer negates the galvanic isolation of the switch, that it why a floating shield cable is recommended. The Melco C100 is great value for money at £125

antonio66 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 06, 2023 4:02 pm

George Hincapie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 1:32 pm

CN211276 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:31 am

My understanding is that the more EMI there is the greater the need for shielding. I am doubtful if shielding has detrimental effects.

So they claim that RFI travels along the shield to the end device. It's all crazy nonsense, ethernet is bombproof by design.

I was told that using a fully shielded cable between switch and streamer negates the galvanic isolation of the switch, that it why a floating shield cable is recommended. The Melco C100 is great value for money at £125

I just got rid of copper entirely and went fibre throughout. Problem gone.