Very nice and elaborate report @
baconbrain!
I myself compared the Vodka and Diamond in my system (twice actually a few years apart) and ‘unfortunately’ I liked the Diamond better. I felt the Vodka showed some thinness and unnatural highs. But of course this is hugely subjective and system dependant.
I wrote my impressions here:
https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Antoine-...42#pid3142 the first time. I went back to USB and later to ethernet again but in between sold the Diamond which I then had then to buy again after a new comparison to the Vodka.
(26-Nov-2019, 15:59)Antoine Wrote: [ -> ]Very nice and elaborate report @baconbrain!
I myself compared the Vodka and Diamond in my system (twice actually a few years apart) and ‘unfortunately’ I liked the Diamond better. I felt the Vodka showed some thinness and unnatural highs. But of course this is hugely subjective and system dependant.
I wrote my impressions here: https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Antoine-...42#pid3142 the first time. I went back to USB and later to ethernet again but in between sold the Diamond which I then had then to buy again after a new comparison to the Vodka.
Thanks Antoine! I was also quite impressed with the Diamond during the shootout. Plan to try one with my own system during the holdiays.
After the conclusion that I prefer eth connection rather usb, without any doubt, i tried myself all the Audioquest eth cables range and i had that feelling: the more elaborate and expensive cable, more cooler and sharper the sound.
It is neither good nor bad, depending on the system and our taste.
Very good experiences with audioquest ethernetcables
Currently Supra cat8 whose shielding is only connected on 1 side, SOTM cables and 1 the linear solutions Reference Ethernet cable 1.0M
Just discovered this test @
baconbrain I have not done much testing with LAN cables in my system right now I use Belden 1303E and Metz connectors but I was actually about to buy some Viablue EP7 and use that from my etherRegen to my dCS Network Bridge (might reconsider that).
I actually have a LAN cable on loan right now it cost around a €1000. The thing is that you could see the cable had names and numbers through the sleeve if you mowed it around a bit. Some search on the name and numbers and the cable was from a brand called Draka (they make all sorts of cables) and it costs around €1 per meter. The connectors are from Telegärtner.
I think that many cables sold as "audiophile" cables are rather ordinary cables under the sleeves and LAN cables follow a strickt standard so you cant do that much or the cable will be out of spec.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_11801
(01-Dec-2019, 12:16)octaviars Wrote: [ -> ]Just discovered this test @baconbrain I have not done much testing with LAN cables in my system right now I use Belden 1303E and Metz connectors but I was actually about to buy some Viablue EP7 and use that from my etherRegen to my dCS Network Bridge (might reconsider that).
I actually have a LAN cable on loan right now it cost around a €1000. The thing is that you could see the cable had names and numbers through the sleeve if you mowed it around a bit. Some search on the name and numbers and the cable was from a brand called Draka (they make all sorts of cables) and it costs around €1 per meter. The connectors are from Telegärtner.
I think that many cables sold as "audiophile" cables are rather ordinary cables under the sleeves and LAN cables follow a strickt standard so you cant do that much or the cable will be out of spec.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_11801
The Draka scenario is a bit scary and unfortunately there are a few "black sheep" out there who literally try to pull the wool over our eyes. Perhaps you could send me a PM regarding the specifics?
Quote:Perhaps you could send me a PM regarding the specifics?
@
baconbrain I sent you an email were we can talk about it some more.
Update – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
So given the good results with BertBird’s system, I decided to bring a AQ Diamond Ethernet Cable home to try on my own system.
I connected it via a free port on my SOtM switch. This made it quite easy to swap between my existing Via-Blue cable and the Diamond via the Ethernet LAN Port of my Innuos Statement endpoint. These initial swap tests were not conducted blind given that I have been doing these without assistance.
The subjective test process was quite straight forward. I simply played a track which I was familiar with using one cable and then with the other. The swap was done quite quickly, so the pause between switching the two cables and playback was approx. 20 to 30 seconds. Certainly not perfect science but good enough for first impressions.
I started the first track with the Via-Blue cable just to get my ears warmed up and establish the tried and true baseline. After completing the track, I swapped to the Diamond and ...
The track was Electric Soul from Rodrigo y Gabriela’s Mettavolution Album. The track starts with a very nice acoustic guitar section and the Diamond was flexing its muscle. Very clean, excellent note decay and transients. Approx. halfway through the song, things start to pick-up and the lower end starts to kick-in but the Diamond is missing something. It sounds to lean and is lacking engagement. With the last quarter mile of the track, everything comes together and normally I am inclined to push the system even more by increasing the volume, but with the Diamond I am decreasing it. The sound has become fatiguing and „too much“. Swapping back to the Via-Blue, everything falls back into place but I am missing somewhat the beautiful clarity that the Diamond had in the mid and high ranges.
Conclusion
Once again I am very surprised as to how apparent the change in overall SQ is when swapping one Ethernet Cable (the last mile) in my system. I can hear the scientists amongst us saying; “It can’t be, it’s only bits and bytes, no objective data to support, etc.”, but the change is definitely apparent, and it is not subtle. Based upon the results of the test with BertBird’s system my (somewhat bias) expectations were that the Diamond would knock the SQ of my system out of the park, but it was not the case. Actually it was the opposite.
In summary – What is good for the goose is not always good for the gander (each system is unique). The most expensive solution may not always be the best and strongly recommend (if possible) trying before buying.
(20-Dec-2019, 10:19)baconbrain Wrote: [ -> ]Based upon the results of the test with BertBird’s system my (somewhat bias) expectations were that the Diamond would knock the SQ of my system out of the park, but it was not the case. Actually it was the opposite.
In summary – What is good for the goose is not always good for the gander (each system is unique). The most expensive solution may not always be the best and strongly recommend (if possible) trying before buying.
I had a similar experience. While I had my
EtherREGEN at a friend's place, he happen to have SOtM dCBL CAT 7 and a Wireworld Starlight Cat8 Ethernet cables. I took them home to compare against my existing Supra Cat8 cable and was expecting both to trounce the Supra.
The SOtM cable shocked me! It changed the sound considerably; brought forward the sound and over emphasised the mids. It was not to my liking (and a relief on the hip pocket). The Wireworld cable did better. It improved the body of the music and brought a little warmth. Unlike the SOtM cable, I could certainly live with the Wireworld one.
I agree that it is best to try before buying expensive Ethernet cables and a more expensive solution may not be a good fit.
I had the SoTM dcbl cat 7 and also the SOTM iso cat6SE. (with the three 50 cm kables)
From audioquest the forrest, cinnamon, carbon and the Vodka.
They are all changed now by DIY supra cat8 (shielding on one site, no groundloops) with great succes.