FutureShop is an authorised dealer for Supra Cables, Chord Company, AudioQuest, and Melco Audio. All Ethernet cables are available in custom lengths with our free Nordost Vidar burn-in service on selected cables and our 60-day money-back guarantee.
Why Ethernet Cable Quality Matters for Streaming Audio
A wired Ethernet connection is more stable and lower-latency than wi-fi, and in a streaming audio system the quality of that connection affects the timing and integrity of the data arriving at your streamer or DAC. Better shielding reduces the interference that enters the network cable from adjacent power cables and wireless devices. Better conductor materials and construction reduce the microscopic timing variations in the data stream that manifest as jitter in the receiving device. The cables in this guide address both.
Quick Take
- Supra CAT8 (entry/mid): 2000MHz bandwidth, double-shielded, flame-retardant, backwards-compatible with Cat 6A. Custom lengths with Telegärtner terminations from FutureShop. A future-proof cable for 4K and 8K streaming, high-quality music streaming, and gaming at an accessible price.
- Chord C-Stream (mid): CAT7 specification, gold-plated contacts, over-moulded plug body for long-term strain relief. Chord Company's entry into the streaming Ethernet category. Consistently praised for an immediate, audible improvement over generic and budget cables.
- AudioQuest Vodka (high performance): 10% solid silver conductors, CAT7. Eliminates strand-interaction distortion and reduces jitter at source. AudioQuest's premium Ethernet recommendation for high-end streaming systems.
- Melco C1AE (honourable mention): CAT7, double-shielded, 100% foil coverage per data pair, patented unbreakable latch. Purpose-built for audio Ethernet. Current generation is the DELA C100 with asymmetric drain wire grounding.
Must-Have Ethernet Cables for Streaming Audio
Ethernet cables are increasingly central to hi-fi as more systems move to network-based sources: streamers, NAS drives, network switches, and DACs connected via Roon, DLNA, or direct streaming services. A standard patch cable from a router to a streamer will work, but the quality of the signal that arrives at the streamer is determined in part by the quality of the cable carrying it. Better shielding reduces the interference entering the network from nearby power supplies and wi-fi transmitters. Better conductor construction reduces jitter in the data stream. Here are four of our most recommended Ethernet cables across three price tiers.
1. Supra CAT8 Ethernet Cable
The Supra CAT8 is the most technically specified cable on this list and a strong first upgrade from a generic patch cable. Its bandwidth of 2000MHz supports up to 40GBASE-T over a single cable, which is well above what any current domestic streaming application requires. This headroom is deliberate: a cable running at a small fraction of its rated capacity has significantly lower error rates than one operating near its ceiling. The double-shielded, flame-retardant construction protects the signal from external interference, and the cable is backwards-compatible with Cat 6A equipment.
In TCP/IP and UDP streaming applications (which include all music streaming services and 4K and 8K video), the Supra CAT8 reduces packet errors and timing jitter compared to standard Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables. Custom lengths are available from FutureShop, terminated with Telegärtner nickel-plated zinc RJ45 connectors for a secure, consistent connection.
View the Supra CAT8 at FutureShop.
2. Chord C-Stream Ethernet Cable
The Chord C-Stream is Chord Company's entry-level streaming Ethernet cable and reflects the same design philosophy applied across their cable range: correct geometry, quality materials, and reliable termination. It is built to CAT7 specification, with gold-plated contacts and an over-moulded plug body that provides secure strain relief at the RJ45 connector without deforming the cable at the point of entry. This is the connection that most generic Ethernet cables fail at first: the plug-to-cable joint is both the most flexed and the least protected point in most patch cables.
Customer feedback at FutureShop for the C-Stream consistently describes an immediately audible improvement over generic and standard-specification Ethernet cables: cleaner sound, better bass definition, and a reduction in the slightly cluttered quality that poorly shielded network connections can introduce. Chord Company has since extended the range with the Clearway Streaming and Shawline Streaming cables for those wanting to go further.
View the Chord C-Stream at FutureShop.
3. AudioQuest Vodka Ethernet Cable
The AudioQuest Vodka applies AudioQuest's conductor philosophy to Ethernet. 10% solid silver conductors eliminate strand-interaction distortion and deliver the highest-frequency signal components that Ethernet audio carries with greater accuracy than copper alternatives. Solid conductors also avoid the micro-capacitance between strands in stranded cables, which introduces a small but consistent distortion of the signal waveform. For streaming audio, where the quality of the data arriving at the DAC determines what the DAC has to work with, this matters.
Audio over CAT7 Ethernet offers low latency, significant distance capability, and extremely low-jitter, bit-accurate data transmission. The Vodka operates at the upper end of what wired Ethernet can achieve, and is a natural recommendation for high-end streaming systems where every variable in the signal chain is addressed. Customer reviews at FutureShop consistently describe smoother high frequencies, greater delicacy, and a more refined presentation compared to previous cables in the same system.
View the AudioQuest Vodka Ethernet at FutureShop.
Honourable Mention: Melco C1AE Audio Ethernet Cable
The Melco C1AE was designed specifically for audio Ethernet applications rather than adapted from general IT cabling. Its double-shielded construction uses 100% foil coverage on each of the four solid-core data pairs individually, achieving extreme isolation between pairs, with an additional overall screen on the cable assembly to minimise corruption of the data and reduce the effect on adjacent sensitive analogue circuitry. The patented unbreakable latch is a practical engineering detail: standard RJ45 latches are one of the most common points of failure in Ethernet installations, and the C1AE's latch is designed to outlast the cable itself.
The C1AE has since been superseded by the DELA C100, which adds asymmetric drain wire grounding: noise from connected devices travels to a grounded end in one direction only, while the opposite end uses a floating shield that prevents noise entering from that side. The C1AE remains available as a special offer while stocks last. If you are starting fresh, the C100 is the current recommended model.
View the Melco C1AE at FutureShop.
Which Ethernet Cable for Which Connection Point?
In a streaming audio system there is more than one Ethernet connection to consider. The router, network switch, streamer, NAS drive, and network player all connect via Ethernet, and the cables linking them can be prioritised in a specific order. The table below maps each cable to its optimal position in the network chain.
| Cable | Priority connection point | Why this position matters most | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supra CAT8 | Router to switch, or router to streamer if no switch is present. Also: any long cable run (3m or more) in the network. | The router-to-switch connection carries all network traffic. Upgrading here improves every downstream device simultaneously. The 2000MHz bandwidth provides the most headroom on long runs. | Entry/mid. Best value per metre. Also available in custom lengths with Telegärtner termination. |
| Chord C-Stream | Switch to streamer, or NAS to switch. The final metre before the streaming device. | The connection immediately before the streamer is where cable quality most directly affects the signal the DAC processes. Gold-plated contacts and over-moulded strain relief ensure a consistently clean connection at this critical point. | Mid. Chord's entry streaming cable; Clearway Streaming is the next step up. |
| AudioQuest Vodka | Switch to streamer on high-end systems. The single most important connection in a reference streaming system. | Solid silver conductors deliver the lowest distortion at the connection point closest to the DAC. Recommended when the streamer and DAC are at a level where the Ethernet connection itself is the remaining limiting factor. | High performance. Most audible benefit at the switch-to-streamer connection. |
| Melco C1AE / DELA C100 | Melco or DELA network music library to switch or DAC. Also: any connection on a system using Melco or DELA equipment. | Developed and tested specifically with Melco/DELA libraries. The C100's asymmetric drain wire grounding is particularly effective at isolating the library's own switching noise from the rest of the network. | Mid to high. C1AE available as special offer; C100 is current model. |
For an alternative approach to network isolation that goes beyond cable quality, our ADOT Ethernet media converters review covers fibre-optic conversion as a method of complete electrical isolation between the network and the hi-fi system. And for the broader context of digital connections in a streaming system, our digital audio cables guide covers Ethernet alongside USB, coaxial, and optical.
Browse the full Ethernet cable range at FutureShop, or go directly to Melco or AudioQuest. All cables carry our 60-day money-back guarantee and selected cables are eligible for our free Nordost Vidar burn-in service. Get in touch for free expert advice on building the right network for your streaming system.
