thanks for any helpI've already got some older cat 5e cable, comprising an overall shield around some 24awg twisted pairs, that I could use to make some balanced interconnects. The shield was actually less common in those days, but I see that cat7 started to employ one as standard, and now cat8 has the individual pairs wrapped in foil too. It looks like some cat8 has thicker conductors as well, though not always.
Anyway, my question is whether there is likely to be any benefit of using cat8 (compared to my shielded 5e) for balanced audio cables. In some cases I would just be using one of the pairs, for one mono channel, but in other cases I'd be using two of the pairs for stereo or possibly three pairs for bass, mid & high. It is just a home environment, and the longest runs would be less than 5meters/16feet, so I'm thinking it wouldn't gain very much. Especially as the shield (if i recall correctly) only really helps with radio/high frequency noise, whilst it is the twisting that helps with magnetic-fields trying to cause more audible ground loops.
Though my thinking might be flawed. And I do live in quite a busy built-up area with electrical devices and phone masts etc everywhere. I don't actually know if cat8 is twisted any differently/better either; it may be. Plus MT Ferrule (for multi-channel use) the individual foil screening of each pair might be a practical advantage for when splitting the pairs to separate connectors at each end.
I'm sure both would work, just wondered if anyone has a better insight into the likely real-world benefits (or lack of them) than the random musings in this post?
Cat8 ethernet cable for balanced interconnects?
I've already got some older cat 5e cable, comprising an overall shield around some 24awg twisted pairs, that I could use to make some balanced interconnects. The shield was actually less common in those days, but I see that cat7 started to employ one as standard, and now cat8 has the individual pairs wrapped in foil too. It looks like some cat8 has thicker conductors as well, though not always.
Anyway, my question is whether there is likely to be any benefit of using cat8 (compared to my shielded 5e) for balanced audio cables. In some cases I would just be using one of the pairs, for one mono channel, but in other cases I'd be using two of the pairs for stereo or possibly three pairs for bass, mid & high. It is just a home environment, and the longest runs would be less than 5meters/16feet, so I'm thinking it wouldn't gain very much. Especially as the shield (if i recall correctly) only really helps with radio/high frequency noise, whilst it is the twisting that helps with magnetic-fields trying to cause more audible ground loops.
Though my thinking might be flawed. And I do live in quite a busy built-up area with electrical devices and phone masts etc everywhere. I don't actually know if cat8 is twisted any differently/better either; it may be. Plus (for multi-channel use) the individual foil screening of each pair might be a practical advantage for when splitting the pairs to separate connectors at each end.
I'm sure both would work, just wondered if anyone has a better insight into the likely real-world benefits (or lack of them) than the random musings in this post?
Anyway, my question is whether there is likely to be any benefit of using cat8 (compared to my shielded 5e) for balanced audio cables. In some cases I would just be using one of the pairs, for one mono channel, but in other cases I'd be using two of the pairs for stereo or possibly three pairs for bass, mid & high. It is just a home environment, and the longest runs would be less than 5meters/16feet, so I'm thinking it wouldn't gain very much. Especially as the shield (if i recall correctly) only really helps with radio/high frequency noise, whilst it is the twisting that helps with magnetic-fields trying to cause more audible ground loops.
Though my thinking might be flawed. And I do live in quite a busy built-up area with electrical devices and phone masts etc everywhere. I don't actually know if cat8 is twisted any differently/better either; it may be. Plus (for multi-channel use) the individual foil screening of each pair might be a practical advantage for when splitting the pairs to separate connectors at each end.
I'm sure both would work, just wondered if anyone has a better insight into the likely real-world benefits (or lack of them) than the random musings in this post?
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thanks for any help
1 - 2 of 2 Posts
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