Need recommendation: high quality pre-terminated pure copper or silver Cat 5 cable

headrott

I am looking for recommendations for a high quality pre-terminated pure copper or silver (preferred, but don't know if they make one?) solid core Cat. 5 cable. I will be using this for sending a direct DSD signal tapped from a DVD/DVD-Audio/SACD player and sent to the DAC I made. I am looking for some high quality (pre-terminated) wire to do this. The wire needs to be about 1m, but could probably get away with 2 feet.

WilliamM2

Here you go, although it's 1.5 meters:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AKDL1-Dedicated-Link-Cable/dp/B000I1X6PM

headrott

Hmmm. I'm not sure Denon would be my first choice for a CAT 5 cable. I would prefer one from a dedicated cable maker rather than one from a company that makes many other electronic items. Also, it doesn't state if it's solid core or stranded. I highlighted solid core as a priority of what I am looking for. I know you think the price of that cable should make me think it will fulfill my needs for a high quality DSD signal transferring CAT 5 cable because of the price. Do you think I think you are correct? Any other options? Or are you being facesious? Do I really need to ask? Thanks for the recommendation. I had not seen that cable before.

Speedskater

I'm with "headrott". Making good CAT5 or CAT6 cable takes very expensive close tolerance machines and a good quality control department. Think about cable companies like Belden.

pitdogg2

Denon link cable is pure solid copper and is shielded, but there's no way in he!! I'd pay 400.00 for one! Mine came free with the player:cheesygrin:

It's nothing more that shielded cat 5 wire with RJ45 ends.

headrott

That's good info on the Denon cable. Thanks. I would actually prefer a solid silver cable, and I just happened to have found one below (for anyone interested in this subject in for the future)
I did end up finding this cable by Revelation Audio Labs. It's the Prophacy Cryo-Silver i2S Digital link cable that is pure solid silver conductors and pre-terminated with RJ45 ends. I have never heard a cable by this company however. Has anyone else on the forum? Doesn't have to be this digital cable, but perhaps another digital IC made by them?

Speedskater

I doubt that the "Prophacy" cable is as good as a Belden cable.

pitdogg2

have you thought about a audioquest ethernet cable? I know some of those are solid silver wires.

headrott

Thanks again for the recommendation pitdogg. I didn't realise that Audioquest made ethernet cables. They do and they are solid core. The diamond is the only cable they make that is solid silver however. It is pretty expensive at $1,094.75. That is significantly more expensive than the cable I listed above. I wonder how different they sound? Thanks for suggesting Audioquest, this helped a lot.

pitdogg2

headrott wrote: »

Thanks again for the recommendation pitdogg. I didn't realise that Audioquest made ethernet cables. They do and they are solid core. The diamond is the only cable they make that is solid silver however. It is pretty expensive at $1,094.75. That is significantly more expensive than the cable I listed above. I wonder how different they sound? Thanks for suggesting Audioquest, this helped a lot.

just a measly 800 frog skins more sorry I didn't realize they were that much, I had seen the Cinnamon @ 1.25% silver clad for 70.00.
I think you found what you need if you want 100% and save 8-BIG ones.

headrott

pitdogg2 wrote: »

just a measly 800 frog skins more sorry I didn't realize they were that much, I had seen the Cinnamon @ 1.25% silver clad for 70.00.
I think you found what you need if you want 100% and save 8-BIG ones.

Yeah, but it would be nice to hear from some people on the forum that have used either cable or both? Maybe the Audioquest is worth the extra money? I am not of the opinion that all digital cables sound exactly the same as I know they do not.

The Cinnamon is better than what I am using now I am sure. It's at least solid core (silver clad). The Belden cable I am using is stranded copper and despite one person (above) stating that he "doubts" the cable I listed is as good as than a Belden. I would say that any of the Audioquest cables and the Revelation Audio Labs cable are better than Belden as far as build quality. I connot say as far as audio as I haven't heard any of the Audioquest or the Revelation Audio Lab cable. I will say for the Belden and AQ and Revelation Audio Labs comparison, for transferring non-audio data thay appear to be the same quality transfer. For audio data transfer, i would venture to say (based upon build quality and quality of materials used) that the AQ and Revelation Audio Labs cables will be noticably better. However, until I hear them I won't know for sure. Any other Polkies out there tried any of the AQ or Revelation Audio Labs cables? I wouldlike to hear your impressions please.

headrott

Pepster inspired me to do some more research on RJ45 terminated ethernet cables. I ended up finding this review of an I2S ethernet cable. The review definately comes from a "cable believer" point of view, but is valuable if you feel cables make a difference as I do. Here is the link

pitdogg2

another place to at least look is audio adviser just seen some in the catalog they sent me reasonable priced to boot.

headrott

Thanks again. I did find the Audioquest Vodka RJ/E cable for $178.99 for the 0.75M cable at Audio Advisor. I am thinking of buying that one or a used Acoustic Revive cable as in the review above. Still deciding......

pitdogg2

did you see the pangea's solid silver

headrott

I have not. Did you see it at Audio Advisor?

Actually, can youpost a link? thanks again Pitdogg!

pitdogg2

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGUSBAG

very sorry in my hast I completely over looked the fact that its USB not RJ45

carry on

headrott

OK, I was going to say that I must be blind. I looked and looked but could not find it. No Problem pitdogg. Thanks for the continued help.

headrott

headrott wrote: »

Pepster inspired me to do some more research on RJ45 terminated ethernet cables. I ended up finding this review of an I2S ethernet cable. The review definately comes from a "cable believer" point of view, but is valuable if you feel cables make a difference as I do. Here is the link

I ended up buying one of the Acoustic Revive ethernet cable off audiogon. It is normally a $500 cable and all the reviews I have read have been very positive about it so I am expecting good things. More than one person recommended the Acoustic revive over the Audioquest Vodka cable as the Acoustic Revive is "more musical", smoother and much higher detail level. I should receive it in about a week and a half and will let people know how it is.:loneranger: