Ethernet Cables make a difference

[Jean-Marie]

IanG-UK has put it very nicely in the above post. I do think that we should all be very critical when spending our money in this hobby. Too much of snake oil out there. As for the Ethernet cables I believe the difference we hear has to do with jitter reduction due to EMI/RFI rejection. Here is a good article that hopefully explains the point more clearly:

https://darko.audio/2014/12/global-feedb...ifference/

If it is jitter reduction, I find the consequences  rather scary since when streaming, what is in our home is the edge of a rather long chain of interconnects, routers, switches and transmission equipment. 

The jitter contribution of this last segment is orders of magnitude lower than the rest of the chain.
Also, given how internet routing works, there is a high inconstancy on the routes packets are taking from day to day, even hour to hour. 

Therefore if the reduction of jitter between fiber/cable/DSL box and the dialog thanks to a Ethernet cable is having an audible effect, I cannot see how one could have any consistency in streaming. 

Note that I’m absolutely not doubting the good faith of people and the most important thing is to enjoy the music, and whatever makes it more enjoyable is fair catch. I’m just trying to understand the mechanisms at stake, whatever they are. 

Jean-Marie