Cat 5 vs Cat 6

Strikkflypilot · 2942

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Offline Strikkflypilot

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on: December 03, 2014, 09:51:39 AM
Hi. I have a large roll of non terminated Cat 6 cable lying around.
Does anyone know if it would make a difference, which one I use?

Home system:
Sources: Ibasso DX90, Google Chromecast Audio optical out
DAC: Schiit Gumby
Amp: Bottlehead Mainline
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7463.0
Phones: HD800S

Office:
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Amp: Crack/Speedball heavily modded
Phones: HD580,HD600 grilles


Offline mcandmar

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Reply #1 on: December 03, 2014, 10:22:18 AM
In theory the Cat6 is better, designed for higher frequencys with lower crosstalk between pairs. Were talking over 100mhz signally rate in network applications so who knows if it would make any difference for audio. Personally i would just go with whichever is the nicer quality, assuming all thing are equal, both being shielded, solid core wire etc.

M.McCandless


Offline galyons

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Reply #2 on: December 03, 2014, 10:51:17 AM
IMO, there won't be any audible difference at audio frequencies between Cat5 & Cat6.  The audio "preference" is to use plenum rated as the conductor insulation is specified to be Teflon, versus high-density polyolefin for risers and general purpose.  But, again, on short runs probably not a significant difference.   

In the past I did some 10', (3m) speaker wire pairs  plaiting the twisted pairs.  There were 8 pairs per channel.   To my ears, there was better sound staging, low level detail and timbre with the plenum rated Cat5, (teflon).  Fun project but it took a very long time for my fingers to forgive me.

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Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: December 03, 2014, 11:21:09 AM
The key to this cable is that it's shielded.  Secondary to that, we use a cable that's fire rated, so that when you solder it the melting is minimal.

If your CAT6 isn't shielded, I wouldn't use it.  If it's stranded, I wouldn't use it.  If it doesn't carry the riser or plenum rating, it will probably be a bit more difficult to work with.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Strikkflypilot

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Reply #4 on: December 03, 2014, 07:02:08 PM
Thanks guys. Will do a specs comparison. The supplied Cat 5 seems to be the safer bet.

Home system:
Sources: Ibasso DX90, Google Chromecast Audio optical out
DAC: Schiit Gumby
Amp: Bottlehead Mainline
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7463.0
Phones: HD800S

Office:
Sources: Iphone/ Ipod
DAC: Dragonfly Red+Jtrbug
Amp: Crack/Speedball heavily modded
Phones: HD580,HD600 grilles


Offline HF9

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Reply #5 on: December 04, 2014, 06:08:22 PM
Agreed with the other members here, the quality of the dielectric and the shielding would have the most correlation to sound quality. If you move to another wire, I would recommend getting something with twisted pairs, Teflon dielectric and braided shielding.

My DIY Audio Electronics Blog: DIYAudioBlog.com