Top USB Cables

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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What are the top USB cables people are liking today? I'm still with my Siltech USB and Wireworld Platinum 7.

But the buzz on USB cables has died down.

What's hot?
 
Well, I have only tried a handful in a limited capacity given that I am still a digital appreciation infant.

My favourite is the Wireworld Platinum 7 of which I have a 3m length. Yes, pushing the theoretical length limits but it is a solid performer!

Followed by an iFi Gemini dual USB and iFi Mercury single USB depending upon their application.

I have not had the opportunity to try any Siltech Royal Sig USB which undoubtebly would be a strong performing cable.

Apparently there is an Australian made USB cable currently flavour of the year....

Having a Regen hanging off your DAC will transform your USB signal to a point where it becomes more difficult to compare individual cable performance.

The question I often ponder on is how long will it be before another interface medium will be the preferred choice for the serious digital audiophile?
 
Mike.......I use a 3 meter Wireworld Platinum USB cable on one system and a 3 meter Wireworld Silver Starlight USB cable on a second system.
 
Depending on the price point and chatter, TotalDac, Jcat Reference and Curious.

At Axpona, Clarity Cables has introduced the Natural USB, which reportedly is better than the Curious in a direct comparison using Aurender W20 feeding Chord DAVE. But, at a 3x price differential though.

Surveying the market for a >2 m cable to link up the Melco N1A and the Zero XD but considering the Mutec MC3+ USB to reclock and output via AES/EBU as well. Decisions, decisions...
 
Pondering the same thing as I just ordered a Melco N1A to connect to a Forssell MDAC-2. I currently have on order an Audioquest Diamond 1.5m which I was told would do the job very well but I'm curious to see what the concensus is.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk
 
I ordered a Curious USB today. I'm curious about Curious. I remember Jim brought one with him when he came to my house.
 
Still running the Cardas Clear USB, have it in all my systems.


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I'm using LAT International USB, as well as their other cables in the rest of my system. Besides those mentioned so far, I also hear that the WyWyres USB is excellent, and will likely give it a try shortly.
 
I've tried and owned a few, a Black Cat Silverstar, a Mapleshade Clearlink, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable and a Belkin Gold Series Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Cable. To be honest, the Belkin sounds just a good as the others.
 
Great suggestions guys. I'm thinking of ordering a few to try. As mentioned in an earlier post, I ordered the Curious already.
 
I like the WW Platinum 7. Sounded much better than a Light Speed in my system. The Light Speed was way to bright and really irritating. In my friends system it the Light Speed sounded better than the WW. However the Regen made all the usb cables sound about the same.
 
Mike,

For transparency, my favorite is WW Platinum 7.

For organic musicality, my favorite is Totaldac USB, followed by Cardas Clear.

I find that every USB cable sounds different but none sound entirely right to my ears. Every one appears to be a compromise in one way or another. My reference for "right" is the way my K-01X sounds when I place a CD or SACD in its transport. For others, it may be the way the Lumin S1 sounds. I believe this variation with USB speaks to the inherent weakness of the connection compared to other connections such as Ethernet or I2S, which I believe will ultimately win out over USB in a few years from now.

Ken
 
Interesting addition to any USB cable is the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery, which I ordered based on some postings on AS. It removed some digital glare and fortified the bass a bit. To understand whether it just removes artifacts or if it actually changes the sound I have however to listen a bit longer, just got it yesterday.


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Alpinist said:
Mike,

For transparency, my favorite is WW Platinum 7.

For organic musicality, my favorite is Totaldac USB, followed by Cardas Clear.

I find that every USB cable sounds different but none sound entirely right to my ears. Every one appears to be a compromise in one way or another. My reference for "right" is the way my K-01X sounds when I place a CD or SACD in its transport. For others, it may be the way the Lumin S1 sounds. I believe this variation with USB speaks to the inherent weakness of the connection compared to other connections such as Ethernet or I2S, which I believe will ultimately win out in a few years from now.

Ken
Click to expand...

I think Ken has a point, as an USB litz is a music cable (like e.g. SPDIF). This is as the signal is transported as streaming audio (contrary to the common misconception it is IP data). Hence, there also is no error correction.

An Ethernet connection in comparison is just an IP bit pipe transmitting the data, it will also benefit from the data error correction of the IP protocol. Hence, it interferes less with the audio signal.
 
This issue about USB cables sounding different/better, depending on system synergies and configuration was one of the reasons why I went for a network player like the Lumin A1. But, systems change, so...

Then again, even ethernet (and I suspect, I2S) cables sound different. Look at the plethora of LAN cable in the markets. Even changing the Lumin stock LAN cable to the Supra Cat 7 cable my system improved the sound. Not dramatic but perceptible.

Now, switches and media converters also have an impact http://www.audioshark.org/computer-digital-audio-11/highend-switch-9700.html. Based on anecdotal evidence, that is probably true, since changing the power supplies on a NAS or switch to an LPS does have a positive impact.

Perhaps an all in one source system the Aurender A10 (or similar) may be the way to go?
 
Mechnutt said:
I like the WW Platinum 7. Sounded much better than a Light Speed in my system. The Light Speed was way to bright and really irritating. In my friends system it the Light Speed sounded better than the WW. However the Regen made all the usb cables sound about the same.
Click to expand...

That's what I found with the LightSpeed to clinical or bright for me. But the Regan and the plain old Belkin Gold perfect to my years when playing classic rock and blues using using my DAC. But with the Lumin its just great as it is.
 
Mike said:
I ordered a Curious USB today. I'm curious about Curious. I remember Jim brought one with him when he came to my house.
Click to expand...

I'm using a Kimber Kable/AG USB B-Bus from my Toshiba Portege R825-P70 Windows 10 Laptop to my EMM Labs XDS1 v2. It sounds close to SACD playback on direct comparison, but I'm very "curious" about Curious cables after reading a few reviews.

Please let us know how your listening goes with the USB cables Mike.
 
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