Post by elysion on Jan 13, 2015 22:49:44 GMT
Dave, until recently I exclusively used Cat5e as it's adequate for all duties. But since I've found a cheap source for good Cat6 cables, I've switched to using Cat6. Comes in handy when 10Gbit becomes a common consumer technology.
Cheers, Marc
I see it like Marc.
As long as it is all about a simple home network, Cat. 5 (without the "e") is still enough for a Gigabit Ethernet network. Of course, Cat. 5e, 6 or 7 offer advantages, but you won't feel the difference in practice in most environments. However, if you buy new cables, I'd suggest to buy at least Cat. 6 since it is more future-proof. Depending on the environment, shielded cables can be a good idea (S/FTP, S/STP). This applies (mostly) to environments where a lot of cables are close together (like in a 19" network rack) and the shielding reduces crosstalk between the cables. Shielded cables are rather stiff though and this isn't exactly what most people like at home. 10 Gbit-Ethernet will offer NO advantages for audio at all, because even Gbit-Ethernet is more than fast enough (even 100 Mbit-Ethernet is fast enough). Marc certainly hasn't mentioned 10 Gbit-Ethernet for that purpose, but I'm sure he'd appreciate it for other tasks than audio (like me). Seen from an audio perspective, the TCP/IP protocol is more of a problem than the cables are. But that's a completely different story which could led to very long posts (please, don't ask!).
I've found also a good source for cheap shielded Cat. 7 cables (which are very stiff), but AFAIK they are selling stuff only in Germany and Switzerland. They have also other types of Ethernet cables and can deliver usually from stock:
www.elv.de/
www.elv.ch/
This is a 5m example of the Cat. 7 S/FTP cables I've bought there:
www.elv.ch/s-conn-patchkabel-cat-7-s-ftp-pimf-halogenfrei-orange-5-0-m.html
BTW: Before someone buys a 75cm Ethernet cable (copper) for 600$, I'd suggest to invest that money in 850nm multimode fiber... These cables offer real advantages over copper cables BUT you also won't need them, because there is NO difference you can "feel" at home. On top, fiber cables are VERY delicate and fiber network adapters and fiber GBICS for switches could cost you a fortune.
It's somewhat off-topic, but manageable switches got much cheaper in the last few years. A manageable Ethernet switch will NOT improve your audio experience, but depending on the management functions it offers, it will give you some convenient features like VLANs, trunking/LACP or spanning tree etc.. I have two fanless ZyXEL GS1910-24 switches at home, which offer much more than I'd really need. They have also four mini-GBIC slots each and I have some fiber mini-GBICs lurking around.
I still use also some older Cat. 5(e) S/UTP cables at home and there's no real need to replace them.