ethernet cable shielding?

[AnotherSpin]

I use two Meicord Ethernet cables to connect mac mini to the NUC endpoint through a switch, and this gives better sound than Supra CAT 8, which is shielded and has metal coated connectors. Miska, designer of HQP NAA specifically insists that Ethernet cables with metal coated connectors should not be used.

[AnotherSpin]

3 hours ago, Bob Stern said:

+1 re Plissken's advice.

 

Also, a shield defeats the benefit of ethernet's ground isolation between components.

 

What AnotherSpin refers to is that a tell-tale sign of shielded ethernet cables is that the RJ-45 connector is metal coated, at least on its left and right sides.

 

Yes, I guess metal coated RJ-45 connectors go together with with shielded cables always. I experimented once with a Supra Cat8 cables which were used to connect server to NAA endpoint - removed metal covers from RJ-45 connectors, it was easy to do. There was change in SQ, imo, and I like it.