Wideband Filters on Ethernet Cables

rollo · October 17, 2019, 09:30:35 AM

I noticed that several Ethernet and USB cable Manf,s use some sort of filter on the cable. Shunyata, SOTM etc. What are they actually and can we get them ?

charles

Folsom · October 17, 2019, 10:46:31 AM

I suspect they're mostly transformers, and yes you can buy them.

rollo · October 17, 2019, 11:03:17 AM

Thanks Folsom. From the photo of Shunyaya cable it appears a slip on of some type like a ferrite but not. I have the transformers inside my DAC and transport.

charles

Folsom · October 18, 2019, 12:37:48 AM

My opinion is mostly meh who cares if it's Shunyata. Proprietary ferrite beads?

Are you not pleased with your current digital cables? You could PM me if so.

rollo · October 18, 2019, 10:47:47 AM

Quote from: Folsom on October 18, 2019, 12:37:48 AM
My opinion is mostly meh who cares if it's Shunyata. Proprietary ferrite beads?

Are you not pleased with your current digital cables? You could PM me if so.

I use an Ethernet cable from Transport to DAC. Came with a Supra cable. Sounds VG to me however after trying several generic Ethernet cables we noticed big differences in sound. So now on a quest to find the best one for my application.
Have tried so far TWL [ VG/Excellent], Wireworld [ NFG], Supra [good], Monoprice [OK], Blue Jeans[ Good] and Chinese [VG].

charles

dBe · October 18, 2019, 10:52:11 AM

Ferrite cores are a NO-NO on unshielded Ethernet. They tend blunt the rise times in the pulse stream. Square waves are what digital data is about and anything that effects that wveform is a really bad idea. Knowing the ethics of some of the major cable manufacturers the warts could contain anything from magnets to pulse transformers (galvanic isolation) to simple mass damping compounds to theoretically reduce electrostriction effects to nuthin'.

I've tried all kinds of things and quite frankly most of them degraded the SQ. Ferrites on USB cables can make the resultant very dark sounding.

One thing I did find that works'sometimes' is ERS used in very small quantities. Finding the right amount is a PITA for the amount of return.

rollo · October 18, 2019, 11:55:53 AM

Thanks Dave. It appears to be a patent pending magnetic thing. Shunyata has some interesting concepts and applications. Cost is crazy though 1K for a Alpha USB at 1.5M. I'll stay with TWL USB split power USB cable.

charles

Folsom · October 20, 2019, 01:27:59 PM

Do you use DSD?

rollo · October 21, 2019, 06:50:30 AM

Only with music server which is connected with USB. I use the Ethernet from Transport to DAC. NO DSD from transport.

charles

Mike B. · October 25, 2019, 09:02:20 AM

The cable add-on I have noticed with Shunyata looks like a coil. I am not a fan of ferrites on cables

rollo · October 25, 2019, 12:31:23 PM

Hi Mike. Yes a patent pending coil of some kind. Tried the Sigma Ethernet [ EXPENSIVE] waiting to compare TWL split USB. I would venture to say TWL will take the cake. I really hope so as the Sigma is $900 oh my !

charles

P.I. · October 25, 2019, 09:50:35 PM

Quote from: Mike B. on October 25, 2019, 09:02:20 AM
The cable add-on I have noticed with Shunyata looks like a coil. I am not a fan of ferrites on cables

Ferrites on low level cables suck the life out of music. They aren't even very good on power cables. My mind is made up on this.

Folsom · October 25, 2019, 11:53:34 PM

Mine too. The only place I've had them work ok is in a CDP I have.