DIY Ethernet Cable

[LondonDan]

This network cable from premium brand Crystal Cable is similar to what you are exploring. It’s a 2 twisted pair (each pair isolated from each other). I have been intrigued by its design but never tried myself a DIY version for Ethernet. I have used the same technique with  DC cables for shielding each cable. Going back to the earlier Beldon video which showed change when the cables were flexed maybe a cable like this would benefit to have an outer sleeve on top to hold the 2 twisted pairs together more tightly. Or make sure the cable doesn’t move at all after it’s installed. I can’t comment on buffer loading during streaming of tidal but there is a similarity here with this Crystal cable to what you are exploring with 2 twisted pairs Tom and it seems interesting.

 

https://www.crystalcable.com/products/monet/monet-6/

 

Quote from Crystal Cable website:

 

MONET

The CrystalConnect Monet Network Cable features dual layer shielding with impedance matched fully shielded RJ-45 connectors.

Network cables carry digital information, and, just like all other digital cables in a system, the data transfer is incredibly sensitive to tiny variations in amplitude and spacing. These can rob drama and vitality from a performance by hiding musical nuances, bleaching colours, and flattening dynamic contrasts. It’s important to know that higher data rates are more vulnerable to external interference too. That’s why maintaining data integrity is more important than transfer speed when streaming music.

This new network cable protects the dynamic impacts and dramatic contrasts that make music come alive by preserving the most delicate details and textures in your music.

Technical description
To achieve the best sound, the CrystalConnect network cables utilize the 100BASE-TX specification which supports a maximum speed of 100Mbps. Because of this it is important to set the ports of smart network switches to the correct speed or on auto. This feature is usually found in the port configuration menu of the network switch.

[LondonDan]

Interesting looking switch you have.

 

I believe the material is a form of low crystal silver that Crystal cable use. without understanding fully I might think its like OCC silver.

 

I see your shielding is connected to the metal chassis of the RJ45 (grounded) there are of course differing opinions from many on grounding vs switch end grounding vs no grounding of the shield braid at all. Additionally if you don't have anything covering each of those metal shield braids they could be grounding each other, I am not sure on any impact here (positive or negative) but it seems logical to make cover each shield braid with nylon or something so one is not able to touch the other. Is that what you have done with the black cables? And are the black cables grounded at one or both ends? 

 

If you still have the materials you could try an ungrounded shield using John Swenson shielding technique.

 

Have a read of that thread and maybe search John Swenson on the AudiphileStyle search section for other links to the discussion around shields isolated at both ends with a wire soldered on the outside. it applies to anything shielded it seems but if you believe it works or not.... there is only one way to find out ;)

 

I have done this technique on my DC cables and a network cable from my router to my network switch using Viablue Silver plated cable with Telegartner RJ45. I can't say it's better than the one end grounded technique but it's certainly not worse. (for me both end grounded is a worse sound quality) A picture of my DIY Network cable using Viablue Silver plated cable showing shielding isolated but linked end to end by a piece of bell wire (both ends look the same as you can see) second pic is a DC cable using Neotech 16AWG OCC copper cable for the power and the shield loop is using the same cable. You might need to dig through the above thread before fully understanding Johns technique.

 

long story shorter - Try isolating your shield braiding at both ends of the cable and connect shield braid with a thin cable end to end making sure no bare wire connects to either metal RJ45 termination. as you have 2 shields, one on each twisted pair it seems to make sense to run one cable down each shield.

 

PS. ignore the colour coding of the RJ45 push fit connection, the cables are matched end to end but the colours on the push fit field connection of the Telegartner are not (it was an odd one out of a batch I bought)

 

[LondonDan]

I haven't heard of the 2 grounding system - you keep one end grounded to one

2 hours ago, TomJ said:

I also read about cables that use 2 GND systems for shielding to improve EMI resistance:

The outer shield is only connected to earth (PE) on the switch side and the inner shield of the twisted pairs is connected to the GND system of the end device.

Ever heard of this?

I haven't read about this - assuming both shield are separated by a layer of something to stop them grounding each other? do you have a link to the topic?

 

My head tells me that having no ground to the end device (EG switch to dac, so no shield connected to ground on the dac side) would at least help to carry some interference away from the Dac where as connecting it might work as an antenna to put some interference into the dac. Maybe the technique works with other types of equipment though and has a different advantage where cables run in hi noise areas so I would be interested to read.

[LondonDan]

3 hours ago, TomJ said:

Have you ever tried to remove the shielding from the viablue cat cable?

No I haven't tried this and I don't have any cable left or would be trying it now for sure, the cable is quite nice quality, it slightly better than SUPRA in that it brings a bit more detail and a bit more air to everything.

 

I have in the "to do" list a DIY test on ethernet cables which is why this topic you started interested me and I would like to join the conversation. I would like to try making up a Neotech silver and gold 24awg terminated into Telegartner for the last section of the network from switch to Dac / Amp. I had put it off due to the expense of 8M of cable but if its only 4 cables for 2 twisted pairs its much more palatable a cost (still a lot ££ but I already have the Telegartners already).

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/wires/neotech-AG-GD-silver-gold-wire-teflon.html

 

I am settling / burning in a whole network change for the time being so it will need to wait as I want to explore that big change with everything I have at the moment. But when I do get round to it in a month or so I will definitely try without shielding first, then with 3M copper tape covered by Nylon (the tape holds the twists in place so they don't move (giving a little effect of the Beldon bonded I guess but not as secure as the beldon), then with copper braid over the top and a nylon outer to finish, something like the Crystal Monet.

 

I see sense in the first 2 out of 3 network cables in my chain from ISP modem-Router-Switch-Dac could be shielded because of how they pass power cabling, PSU's and other electrical equipment but the 3rd and final ethernet to the Dac has a bit more space around it and here maybe its worth experimenting to see if unshielded or low shielded works or doesnt.

 

One of my purchased ethernets (not DIY by me) is an odd one - its silver 95% copper 5% (basically a sterling silver which is not regarded as an audiophile material but I was open to experiment with it).  The twisted pairs are wrapped in copper tape and then a carbon "infused" braid over the top with cat8 Telegartner Rj45s. The constructions seems to be lighter on shielding (the carbon is probably only an 80% coverage) for the very reason you discuss in that it may be beneficial not to over shield an ethernet as long as the cable is not passing through a "noisy" area. I don't have a pure silver to compare it too though. As "the last cable" I like it, do I love it? I don't know yet, but if you daisy chain 2 of these sterling cables they become too bright which I expect is down to the sterling silver so:

 

Router (silver ethernet) Switch (silver ethernet) Dac / Amp = too bright but lots of detail

Router (Viablue ethernet) Switch (silver ethernet) Dac / Amp = good tonal balance and good detail... well for the time being as I would like to experiment more here once the network is broken in, I expect I have some gains to be made in getting the cables right. I would like to match all cables by manufacturing as much as possible in the network. I am thinking Neotech OOC copper for the first 2 and the final Neotech ethernet a DIY OOC silver/Gold and experiment with shielding here on the DIY one.

 

http://wp.neotechcable.com/ethernet-cable_up-occ-copper/

 

I realise some of this is a little off topic with ethernet cable matching rather than shielding but it all comes together. Its unlikely we just have one single ethernet cable and so with small, medium or large networks this type of 2 twisted pair unshielded or shielded cable might only work in one area of the network or it may not be good at all for some.

 

[LondonDan]

On 6/5/2021 at 9:28 PM, TomJ said:

Have you ever used an ethernet isolator?

No I’ve not used one (yet). for isolation I turned my ISP hub into modem mode going to edge router where WiFi access point also connected then from there into Ediscreation Extreme network switch. This is the link I use the Viablue JSSG Ethernet. Then from there into dac /amp. The ediscreation has a grounding on/off switch per socket on the switch but even if I un ground the viablue cable I don’t notice any difference. It seems the already ungrounded diy Ethernet is already doing a good job ( or the grounding on / off is marginal impact for me and I can’t notice ). Pic below - I can’t say for sure how the on off grounding works and it’s still new so haven’t experimented much yet.

 

Tom I was interested to try a short fiber section as an isolation too. Your inline Ethernet isolator  looks like a cost effective trial though
 

As for the stripped back Ethernet I will try it, I am for away couple weeks now though. 
 

did you order your 100ohm cables yet or try another diy?

[LondonDan]

Does the DeLock work with 2twisted pairs on input or 4 like a standard ethernet? (2 on output to dac makes sense)

 

https://www.amazon.de/DeLock-62619-DrNetzteilucker-grau/dp/B00WZ3QHVQ

 

https://www.mini-itx.de/media/products/DE-62620_62620-deutsch.pdf

 

I read a review (amazon review ;) but saying that the DeLock works best only with short cable, Tom what is your experience? 

 

I see your Mod, easy enough to do thanks. I am not sure about filters as I wonder what a chip isolator filter does to the SQ - you might win something but you also might lose something? I am open of course to the theory. the Eno looks different entirely but is chasing the same goal to reduce network associated noise.

 

seems similar to Jcat Net isolator?? but no ground screw on the Cat

 

https://jcat.eu/product/net-isolator-gigabit-network-isolator/

 

Do we think that fiber connection does some of the same as a net isolator or with fiber is some noise is converted to fiber signal and back again at the end of the fiber? (genuine question). its clear fiber can't pic up RFI etc that cable can pick up but what kind of noise could be converted to fiber... any good articles on this or forum threads if anyone knows?

 

 

[LondonDan]

I have now tried basic patch cable (5e and 1m length) and then the same cable stripped to 2 twisted pairs with no outer sleeve.

 

There is a subtle difference, stripped cable has a tiny bit more detail and open sound on strings especially, vocals I find pretty much the same both versions. What I don't know is that the impact of having less twisted pairs (2 instead of 4) and potential crosstalk or is the no sheathing changing the sound... or both

 

After some time going through the PS audio thread with ex Beldon Engineers and others comments (thanks Eric for pointing the way to that thread) it seems that as you remove any sleeving and or shielding the impedance changes from the cable design specs which is supposed to be as close to 100 as possible as per the Gore cable in earlier post here. so removing the sheathing and 2 twisted pairs in increasing the impedance (to what 115-125?) and its likely that that alone is having an impact on perceived sound plus then the benefit or negative of less shielding vs EMI interference. While this seems to be opening a can of worms if you know the expression, it explains a lot in my thoughts of how cables can sound slightly different one to another because of:

 

Cable material - copper / silver / OOC

Cable termination - material of RJ45 and connection security (some RJ45 terminals claps only make a little pin prick through the cable to make connection)

Cable impedance in the design of the cable.

Shielding effect on EMI

Shielding effect on internal reflections

Shielding effect on the cable Impedance 

 

The major point here that is not often discussed is impedance. If a twisted pair is designed at one impedance, adding a second, 3rd and 4th twisted pair changes that impedance so the final outcome needs to be designed with the required impedance after combining the cables not as single twisted pairs. then PVC or whatever sheathing has some impact too and shielding has even more impact.

 

 

[LondonDan]

The other experiment I have run, encouraged by from Eric's own experiments was to look at an the DeLock Net isolator.

 

With the same cable (silver core) I have A/B tested (not blind) the difference of a solid silver core cable with Telegarnter RJ45 with and without DeLock Net Isolator and there is a clear difference. Its not a straight forward improvement but also one persons system is different from another you you might expect changes to equipment to effect each in a slightly different way.

 

At medium and high levels the Isolator shows itself by having a slightly lower noise floor and taking off some minor harshness in the highs, particularly noticeable on female vocals. At low level I find the DeLock mutes a tiny bit the openness.

 

At low levels without the isolator I find the detail in strings and cymbals etc to be more pronounced, which I like.

 

After leaving the isolator in for several weeks now I will take it out and see again the other way, but I have grown to like it and appreciate what it is doing to the sound profile. I am however almost certain it holds itself back only because of part quality and with better quality parts it could be a supper addition to a streaming setup.

 

I also experimented with a silver cable by taking it back to 10/100 baseT with 2 twisted pairs and rebuilding the cable from the 4 twisted pairs. I am of the opinion that if you don't need it and its not adding anything then it might be better not to have it. if all that's needed is 10/100 for streaming then how about reducing the potential crosstalk, removing the potential to pick EMI from extra un-needed cabling and removing possible interference coming from switch to dac or from dac to switch by extra cables. I appreciated the design goal behind the Art Series Crystal cables which is use great materials and and only the amount of cables that you need.

 

This does come back to Impedance shift  though. As in my last post IF you adapt an existing designed cable it will change. More investigating to be done here I think, I am keen to try some other DIY with silver / gold cable using 2 twisted pairs and adapting the shielding to get the impedance as close to 100 as possible, or whatever impedance my ears like haha!

 

Eric how is the Gore cable and your experiments?!

 

 

[LondonDan]

The 2 twisted pairs on the final cable to dac / amp has been a winner for me, I am using shielding but floating type from a premium material diy build

 

Neotech silver / gold cable. 2 pairs 128cm each. Calculation Software shows the Neots how silver and gold cable to be 112 ohm then shielding on top will reduce that to 110 or as low as 105 ohm estimation which is close to the 100 ohm standard.

 

each twisted pair is sheathed in silk rope then tin coated copper shield isolated from both ends (floating shield)

 

Wires have silver solder at the ends and on the RJ45 pins too and are pushed hard together to make connection

 

Going from a silver cat 7 cable the silver gold diy was bright at first after some time the warmth arrived while keeping all the details I liked for on the silver. Cable took ages to break in. Some months later I went back to the silver and did a (not blind) A /B test back and forwards and I much preferred the diy silver and gold

 

A great experiment, not a budget diy cable but still 3 times cheaper than anything made of similar material commercially. I was aiming for similar design to the crystal cables earlier in the thread.

[LondonDan]

Now using a pink faun net isolater, very good :) really liked the bass and depth from the dlock net isolator but found the sound slightly loosing some air the pink faun keep the air and the bass / depth. Big thumbs up! 👍

[LondonDan]

Hi Peter. There are lots of great cables out there that have gone through extensive research and testing. I can't claim the ones I have put together are the best but I can tell you I have been very surprised using more exotic materials like the top high end cable producers do (obviously applying some basic science too).

 

I personally use supra cable downstream from router cable modem to modem and from modem to Network switch but everything above the that goes into a device from the network switch is either silver or silver/gold cable (music server is silver and then to dac/amp silver and gold)

 

Hifi collective is the place I purchased, RS supplies for telegartner RJ45s but you can also get other places. If you buy 3m you can make a 75cm cable. Cut the cable into sections and keep them all in the same direction that you cut them from so the twists inside the cable are same direction (important). Twist two of the wires together to form a twisted pair (my twists about 1 every inch) isolate each of the twisted pairs with cotton tube or silk tube then decide if you want to shield or not on top of that.

 

Because the Neotech silver gold is stranded cable I lightly tinned the ends with hifi collective solder (silver content in the solder but you could use another no problem) this makes locking into the RJ45 terminals easy and assures a good connection. you need the larger size of the cable below. PS. the mundorf version of silver gold won't work the impedance of that cable is not suitable for ethernet standard.

 

AG-GD-24: 25 strands of 0.1mm wire, diameters inner: 0.56mm outer: 1.4mm, 300V,  8A rated

 

If you were interested in a more budget friendly longer run of 10/100 base cable (2 twisted pairs) to cover from the wall to wherever you run the etherregen / NAS I believe that Tom (Eric) likes the Gore cable he says it measures well on oscilloscope too.

 

The last mile is always having the most impact but going downstream makes an impact too. I could never have believed it until I tried changing digital cables, it seems it should not change things too much but it does... I can't explain full but it does bring a smile :)