Best Buy is selling a $400 "digital Ethernet" cable for "cleaner, clearer sound"
10 34679 10 5/28/2025, 4:08:34 PM
"Enjoy cleaner, clearer, more naturally beautiful sound from Ethernet-equipped audio/video components with this high-quality AudioQuest Cinnamon RJ/E Ethernet cable. Meticulously designed for exceptional performance and outstanding value, Cinnamon RJ/E features Solid 1.25% Silver conductors that have been Direction-Controlled to efficiently dissipate high-frequency noise. High-density Polyethylene insulation further minimizes distortion and preserves dynamics. Optimize a wide range of audio streaming devices with AudioQuest Cinnamon RJ/E Ethernet cable."
Discuss but PLEASE do not buy.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/audioquest-cinnamon-rj-e-39-3-digital-ethernet-cable-with-rj45-to-rj45-connectors-black-with-red-stripes/5577904.p?skuId=5577904
The same goes for any kinds of scammers, AI spam bot owners, etc.
1.25% silver doesn't qualify as "solid" in my mind either.
You’re probably talking about TosLink cables (what else could you be talking about?).
They have the bandwidth to carry two channels of uncompressed digital audio. Which is what they were designed for.
If you’re using one to carry 5.1 or 7.1 audio from your TV to your soundbar, it’s compressed. An HDMI cable can carry that uncompressed. And so could an Ethernet cable.
2. I know this is not the motivation, but sending analog audio signals over twisted pair network cables works really well. This is often referred to as “audio over Ethernet” and these cables might be technically better for that (and they might not).
3.People with significant wealth don’t see $500 as a lot of money.
4. An audio installer with cost plus for materials makes more money installing it and avoids “aren’t these cables better?” questions from discerning customers whose discernment is driven by advertising, marketing, and online enthusiast forums.
Or to put it way $500 is not a lot to spend on something that makes you happy, even if it’s not what would make us happy.
Good luck.
Any honest installer would give the honest answer: "No."
Part of what wealth pays for is other people’s agreement with their opinions. Telling them they are foolish to believe what they want to believe is not a hill worth dying on.
That’s pretty much true in general. But you do you.
Well, you know and I know but Monster cable was created in 1979 and somehow they and others like them still exist so I guess we will be seeing a lot more digital ethernet cables.