Ethernet & Streaming

Audiophile ethernet cables in Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7 and Cat8 for streamers, servers and network players, from Atlas, AudioQuest, Chord, Melco, Supra and Tellurium Q.

113 products Award Winning Dealer Since 2013 Free expert consultation

Does ethernet cable matter in hi-fi?

The data arrives intact either way, so the case for audiophile ethernet is about noise rather than bit accuracy. Network cable carries high frequency electrical noise from routers, switches and everything else on the network, and that noise can reach the streamer and from there the DAC.

This is a category where opinions differ sharply and we would rather be straight about it. Some listeners hear a clear difference when they replace a standard patch lead in the last run before the streamer. Others hear nothing at all. The variables that matter most are how noisy the network is and how well isolated the streamer's own ethernet input is.

If you want to try it, start with the final run between the switch or router and the streamer, since that is where any change is most likely. A higher category number is not automatically better for audio: Cat8 uses a shielding arrangement that connects to the equipment chassis at both ends, which some systems prefer and others do not. Trying one in your own system is the honest way to settle the question.

4.95/5 from 20,703+ reviews Award Winning Dealer Since 2013 UK Specialist since 2005

24 of 113 products

  • Wireworld Chroma Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
    SALE

    Wireworld

    Wireworld Chroma Cat 8 Ethernet Cable - Special Offer - Black November Deal

    SKU: Chroma Ethernet

    (9 reviews)
    From
    £70.79 £83.29
    Ex. VAT ✓ Save £12.50
    Chroma features the same speed and design of the groundbreaking Starlight ethernet cable, but with solid oxygen-free copper conductors.
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  • Chord Clearway Streaming Ethernet Cable
    SALE

    Chord Company

    Chord Clearway Streaming Ethernet Cable

    SKU: Clearway Digital Streaming

    (9 reviews)
    From
    £123.75 £137.50
    Ex. VAT ✓ Save £13.75

    The new Clearway Streaming Cable by Chord Company represents a step up in performance from the entry-level C-series, featuring four pairs of high-speed conductors that have been individually shielded from each other, as well as a shield for all four pairs which helps to minimise the effect of external noise on this cable. This product also features gold-plated terminations to combat oxidisation, ensuring a long lifespan for this cable.

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  • DELA/Melco

    DELA C100 Audio Ethernet Cable

    SKU: C100

    (9 reviews)
    From
    £79.17
    Ex. VAT

    The new C100 Ethernet cable directly replaces Melco’s debut Ethernet cable, the C1AE, with a number of noise reduction upgrades and improved networked audio sound quality.

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  • Metz

    Metz CAT 7 MC GC1000 Plus23 Ethernet Cable Custom

    SKU: MC GC1000

    (7 reviews)
    £5.00
    Ex. VAT
    Metz's first priority is to fulfil the high demands to a modern network regarding fast and safe transmission. For this purpose, they offer data cables in copper and fiber optic technology with different performance classes and fiber types for networks that are fit for the future.
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  • AudioQuest

    AudioQuest Forest RJ/E Ethernet Cable

    SKU: AQ Forest Ethernet

    (6 reviews)
    From
    £62.46
    Ex. VAT
    Over the past several years there’s been a revolution in the way people store, distribute, and access digital media (in real time), including photos, movies, and, of course, music.
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  • QSA

    Quantum Science Audio (QSA) Lan Jitter Yellow

    SKU: QSA LAN J Y

    (6 reviews)
    £83.33
    Ex. VAT

    The Yellow Standard Jitter aims to enhance your listening experience by offering an expansive sound stage. Designed to deliver a richer, more integrated sound, it encourages a seamless blend of instruments and vocals, enriching the music's depth and detail. This approach seeks to reveal the subtle nuances in your music, creating a captivating and immersive auditory experience that highlights the harmony and balance within your favourite tracks

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  • QED Reference Ethernet Cable - Black November Deal
    SALE

    QED

    QED Reference Ethernet Cable - Black November Deal

    SKU: QED Reference Ethernet Cable

    (6 reviews)
    From
    £119.12 £132.50
    Ex. VAT ✓ Save £13.38

    QED introduces its new Reference Ethernet cable, providing the most accurate and stable connection between your high-resolution digital audio streamer and local network. It has the ability to support 40G Ethernet and can accomodate 32bit/384 kHz hi-res PCM streams.

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  • Excel

    Excel CAT6 (UTP) Data Cable - Price Per M

    SKU: CAT6-EXCEL-UTP-PPM

    (5 reviews)
    £1.25
    Ex. VAT
    A high quality unscreened Cat6 data networking cable, LSOH fire rated jacket. Lifetime Warranty. NEXT DAY DELIVERY
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  • Furutech

    Furutech LAN-8 NCF Ethernet Cable

    SKU: Furutech LAN-8 NCF Ethernet Cable

    (4 reviews)
    From
    £116.67
    Ex. VAT
    The LAN-8 is Furutech's first CAT8 ethernet cable, and offers fantastic performance. It features an NCF treated shell, which eliminates static and converts thermal energy into infrared, and by using nano ceramic and nano carbon powders Furutech are able to achieve further dampening. This cable can transmit data at up to 40Gbps and is Category 8 compatible.
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  • AudioQuest

    AudioQuest Diamond RJ/E Ethernet Cable

    SKU: AQ Diamond Ethernet

    (3 reviews)
    From
    £1,082.50
    Ex. VAT
    Over the past several years there’s been a revolution in the way people store, distribute, and access digital media (in real time), including photos, movies, and, of course, music.
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  • Chord Shawline Digital Streaming Ethernet Cable
    SALE

    Chord Company

    Chord Shawline Digital Streaming Ethernet Cable

    SKU: Shawline Streaming

    (3 reviews)
    From
    £247.50 £275.00
    Ex. VAT ✓ Save £27.50

    Shawline Streaming interconnects are designed to offer the very best musical performance from streaming audio systems. They are built to Chord's exacting standards and rigorously tested at their UK facility. They are part of the Shawline range which includes digital and analogue interconnects, loudspeaker and power cables.

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  • Atlas Cables

    Atlas Equator Streaming Ethernet Audio Cable

    SKU: Equator Streaming

    (3 reviews)
    From
    £95.83
    Ex. VAT

    The Equator streaming cable utilises the CAT6 specification with solid-core OFC conductors and a polyethylene dielectric. This combination offers an excellent solution to your audiophile streaming needs in an affordable package.

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Not finding what you need?
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For noise isolation, yes. While Ethernet transmits data efficiently, it can carry noise. Fibre breaks the electrical path, reducing interference.

Absolutely. Chord’s digital and streaming cables are built with the same performance goals as their analogue range. Options like the C-stream, Shawline Streaming or Epic USB are designed to minimise noise and jitter, allowing your streamer or DAC to operate more efficiently and reveal more of the music. Customers often report tighter bass, clearer imaging and improved timing.

Yes. AudioQuest Ethernet cables, like Cinnamon, Vodka, and Diamond, are ideal for high-resolution streaming. They use solid conductors, high-quality materials, and advanced shielding to reduce packet errors and noise interference, which can affect timing and sound quality. Many listeners report better clarity, detail, and reduced harshness when switching to a higher-grade Ethernet cable for music streaming.

Absolutely. QED Ethernet cables are designed to meet or exceed CAT 6/6A specifications, ensuring fast, stable data transfer. This makes them equally suitable for music streaming, video, gaming, and everyday network use.

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