Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems SpeakerLink cables advice

Hi All,
This is my first post.

I’m running Meridian RJ45s from 808v6 to 7200SE and I’m thinking of upgrading the cables.

Has anyone been down this road and can advise on their findings? Also would the financial outlay be justified.

Many Thanks.

I started out with Meridian's flat SpeakerLink cables, but soon found out upgrading the ethernet cables to my DSP8000's made a noticeable improvement. As other posters have mentioned, the Speakerlink connection doesn't use a LAN protocol with data packets, but rather is a data stream akin to SPDIF (but on an ethernet cable), so it makes sense you could hear differences among cables.

I use the Audioquest Diamond cable, which is the best I've heard, but it's also very expensive. I haven't heard the new Wireworld "CAT8" cable, but it's also supposed to be very good, and I believe Nordost is coming out with an ethernet cable as well. Given the expanding market for streamed music, there are probably a number of other premium cables out there that I haven't heard but could be as good as, or better than, the AQ Diamond. But I'm very happy with the Diamond.

Good luck, and as always, try before you buy.

Try out good BRAND names from Cat 7 cables.
There is a clear difference to no name Cat 5 cables.

The only little disadvantage is that the Cat 7 is less flexible than Cat 5 cables, you can bend them carefully, but never buckle them !!

It’s cheap try and you get a feeling how big is the difference before you buy expensive stuff.

Robert, could you name a few good brands?
Thanks

Funny thing, I just came across a great Meridian 7200 flyer that was posted out saying, “Cat 5 is as good as gold”. Then talking about the SpeakerLink advantage.

In their defense - they did use MHR encryption to make sure even the tiniest change to the data would prevent things working...

When did they stop using MHR encryption?

They didn't.

Has anyone tried the Chord Shawline streaming interconnect? They do not claim they are cat7, but the insulation spec reads as if they are (I.e. double insulated).

Anyway, has anyone tried them, and do they give a significant improvement particularly if used in lieu of speakerlinks?

I haven't found another flat cable that's as flexible the Meridian SpeakerLink cables.

Brian

I haven't found one person yet who found SQ improvement versus M original SpeakerLink. Equal length equal position.

I did find improvement when I swapped my coiled up 2x10 meter SpeakerLink for 2x2.5 meter Cat 7/(Cat 6 terminated) Fluke tested ethernet cable from a very good UK supplier that 3ditor advised at the time. I did not sell my SpeakerLink for possible future use.

The downside of the flat SpeakerLink cable is that it is predetermined and you are bound to fixed length.
I use Cat7 throughout my whole chain.

Cheers!

SpeakerLink cables can be made to custom lengths, it requires a $4700.00 buy in of cable, connectors, and tools to do so.

Bruce, for the flat version? I have enquired for custom length or DYI at the time, and was a dead end.
4700 is not too bad considering some people pay that for an alcohol named ethernet cable.