AudioQuest Pearl Ethernet Cable (RJ/E)

The AudioQuest Pearl is a Cat 7 network cable for audio that packs solid Long-Grain Copper conductors, full shielding coverage, and gold-plated RJ45 connectors into the most affordable tier of the RJ/E series.

It sits exactly where the grey bundled cable from the router still dangles in most living rooms: between switch, NAS, and streamer. The difference isn't in the brochure, it's in the construction – solid conductors instead of stranded wire, a firmly held pair geometry, shielding without gaps.

Why the Pearl?

A network cable in the audio chain has two jobs. The first: keep the connection reliable, even over longer runs. That's handled by solid 23 AWG Long-Grain Copper conductors and a high-density polyethylene insulation that holds the pair geometry in place. The second: carry as little high-frequency noise as possible from the network into your system. For that there's 100% shielding coverage per Cat 7 construction and gold-plated nickel contacts that won't oxidize even after years in the cabinet.

What you get

A ready-made, fully shielded RJ45 cable to Cat 7 specification, in six lengths from 0.75 to 12 metres. The arrows on the jacket show the intended direction of travel – from source device to receiver, in practice towards the streamer. Other lengths run through our supplier.

Who is the Pearl for – and who isn't it for?

Plain talk, because it's necessary with network cables: Ethernet transmits packets with a checksum. Your music file arrives bit-perfect or not at all. A cable doesn't "improve" the data, and anyone promising you more resolution per metre is selling you fog. What a well-built cable can actually deliver is more down-to-earth: a stable connection without retransmissions, and a closed shielding that lets less high-frequency noise from power supplies, switches, and routers through to the streamer. How much of that reaches you depends on the chain: streamers with a well-decoupled network input react less noticeably than those without. You don't need the Pearl for the soundbar in the guest room. For your first serious network player, it's the right foundation – and the point where you start clean instead of investing four figures straight away.

Our verdict

The Pearl is honest basic equipment: solidly built, fully shielded, without promises it can't keep. Which run in your network is even worth upgrading, we'll clarify with you beforehand – HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: Network cable for audio (RJ/E), Cat 7
• Conductor: solid, Long-Grain Copper (LGC), 23 AWG
• Silver content: none (pure copper)
• Insulation: solid high-density polyethylene
• Shielding: 100% shielding coverage (Cat 7 construction)
• Connector: RJ45, gold-plated nickel contacts
• Transmission: up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Directionality: directional, arrow points towards the receiver
• Lengths: 0.75 / 1.5 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 12 m
• Included: one ready-made network cable

Frequently asked questions

Does a network cable really improve the sound?

Not the data itself – Ethernet works on a packet basis with a checksum, so the file arrives bit-perfect. A shielded cable can, however, keep high-frequency noise from the router and switch away from the streamer. Whether that becomes audible depends on the device, the network, and the room. Expect quiet, not miracles.

What is the arrow on the cable jacket for?

It shows the intended direction of travel: from source device to receiver, so typically from switch to streamer. AudioQuest checks the conductor direction during manufacturing and marks it on the jacket. The cable transmits just as reliably the other way round – getting it the right way round costs you ten seconds.

Do I have to upgrade my whole network?

No. In most systems the last stretch brings the most benefit – the connection from switch or router directly to the streamer. Everything before that sits further away from the audio chain. Start there and only upgrade further if you notice a difference.

Why buy the Pearl from HD Zürisee?

Because we tell you upfront what a network cable can and can't do. Our team in Wädenswil knows the streamers that cross our counter and will recommend the length and run that actually make sense in your setup – even if that ends up being the cheapest cable.

Goes well with

A network cable rarely travels alone: you'll find the matching devices among the streamers, more connections in the network cables overview, switches and accessories under network – and the full range in the AudioQuest collection.