[JDUBS]

Garth, I'd stick with something cheap and easy (the Monoprice).  You can always upgrade your network cable (if you feel it necessary) down the road.

-Jim

[gkinberg]

Got it. Thanks guys.

[Vincent Kars]

1 Gbps max connection: Cat5e
Future proof (10 Gbps ready): Cat6

[pansixt]

What Vincent said+ DIY . The cable, connectors and tester are all very affordable and
are fairly easy to use. Available almost anywhere. The tester comes with a diagram, but you can see the color scheme on any factory made ethernet cable.
You will probably mess up the first couple of connectors, but after that, it becomes old hat.
James

[JDUBS]

I would not bother with DIY'ing network cable.  The finished stuff is too cheap to bother...unless you have a lot of free time.

-Jim

[pansixt]

It was a thought, and I've done thousands of feet of it. It can be trying for sure.
But also a great feeling of satisfaction when you did it yourself.
Again, just a thought. Jim. But you're correct in as much as I have bought ready made 75 footers in Microcenter's bargain bin for 10 bucks.
James

[/mp]

My thoughts regarding a solution to my problem is as follows. Get a small computer (mac mini) or a server like AC'er HAL sells and hard wire it to my wirelss [sic] router to make it part of my network. Attach an external hard drive containing my music files to it. Place that on or near my audio consol [sic] and run the "server" to my as of yet unpurchased DAC or Preamp. presumably control the server from laptop, ipad or phone. Sounds reasonable and doable to me. Thoughts?

This is what I've recommend to clients for several years. Audio playback from (or recording to) disk uses essentially zero CPU resources. If a computer has enough memory (RAM) and processing power (CPU) to run a bloated operating system (OS) like Windows it can be used as a music server. All that's being done is a basic input/output (I/O) task, reading stored data (eg disk) & routing it to an output device (eg sound card, I/O port). Transcoding data (eg compressing music ripped from CD to mp3) requires somewhat more resources but still several orders of magnitude less than transcoding video.

Connect one's bare bones computer to an external DAC and the DAC to a preamp in or directly to the power amp in if it's the sole source. Use a preamp's tape loop if you've an ADC/DAC and want to rip your LPs. Wirelessly connect this computer to one's home network. Set the computer to allow remote operation of one's chosen playback software by another device (eg iphone, laptop) on one's home network (not the entire internet!).

Hope this helps,
/mp

[gkinberg]

I've measured/gestimated the run of ethernet cable from my office to my living room audio rack. It should run around 44 ft. I'm debating to go with 50 ft or 75 ft to be on the safe side. In addition, I plan to go with the Cat6 STP on monoprice. With this cable, is there any advantage or disadvantage to going with 75 ft vs 50 ft. I plan to check with monoprice regarding their return policy. If I can order the 50 ft and return it if too short then that will be the way I go.

Thanks, Garth

[srb]

The Ethernet CAT cable spec is 100M (328ft) maximum length and there is no real world performance difference between your lengths.  Cat-6 is often used for future proofing when installed in hard to access areas, but again, no better performance will be gained over CAT-5E for present day bandwidth and frequency applications.

Steve