First impression
Contents
Of course, we can’t wait to listen to our own creation. We use in this case:
- Metrum Acoustics Ambre
- Mutec MC3+
- Metrum Acoustics Pavane (DAC3)
- Pass Labs XP-12
- Bryston 4B SST3
- Driade Model 3S
- Driade cabling (interlinks / speaker cable)
- Delock Fiber converter with Sbooster power supply
We put an installation cable – of a well-known brand – next to it. On this network cable we have made Telegartner plugs. This cable is also CAT7 double shielded. Just like the base of our orange cable (CAT7A S/FTP).
More calmness, more air
We will not beat around the bush: our own creation sounds a bit more calm and a bit more airy than the CAT7A with Telegartner competitor. This is undoubtedly due to the extra shielding we have wrapped around it. We can offer no other explanation, as the plugs appear equivalent and both cables meet the CAT7A specification. Both cables also feature solid core copper cores. In short: it can’t be all that.
A quick look at the differences. Calmness and air. Where we hear the extra calmness well is with Radiohead In Rainbows. The s-sounds are a little less grainy and the imaging has a little more air and space without losing focus. This characteristic can be heard in other albums and songs as well.
Rounding out
That cables – and network cables too – have an influence is a fact of life for us. Why a cable has an influence and where those differences come from varies from cable to cable. A speaker cable has a different setup than an analog interlink. And a power cable has a different setup and requires different things than a network cable. In our opinion and what our tests show is that shielding is everything with a network cable. We are going to look further and do some other tests to see what else affects it. To be continued!
