Hi Ronnie,

OK, I'll cheat a bit and go for boggo CAT5 versus AQ Diamond.

1) Does the (Music) Data arrive at the Endpoint quicker... or slower?
Skin effect does not affect timing in isolation. Delay applies in the analogue domain due to group delay. If group delay was sufficient to affect the integrity of the regenerated data stream at the receiving end, the difference would be loss of integrity (e.g. some extrapolation), not in timing of arrival.

2) Does it arrive in better "condition"?
Yes. Less attenuated and with higher SNR (reference all noise at all frequencies).

3) What physical characteristics of the data have been changed as a result of the (possibly) higher SNR on the AQ cable?
Assuming attenuation and reduction in SNR are significant enough, greater use of error correction and extrapolation, leading to loss of integrity versus the original data stream.

4) None of the above, but will explain
My favourite option ... :-)

I know where you're coming from, in that error correction should, in most cases, fix the data and preserve 100% integrity. But given the potential for order of magnitude attenuation, and that history has shown that digital audio systems sound best when error correction is used least, I'd guess it could be down to this. At the end of the day, whatever the cause and solution, noise is noise and it reduces SNR. When that goes far enough, correction (i.e. changes made with 100% confidence) become extrapolation (informed guessing).

Of course, whether this really is the case, we can't prove or disprove on this forum, without trying the products.

Cheers
Dave

808v5, MD600 & DSP7200.1
Dedicated audio mains supply