USB cable comparisons

[The Computer Audiophile]

"I am currently looking for a USB cable that will fit my system, so I'm not looking for "THE BEST" cable, but the one that will work the best according to my ears."

 

Please, someone, tell the how a cable carrying ones and zeros can affect the sound. Do some cables introduce read errors that force the DAC into interpolation? I don't think so. They wouldn't be much good as conductors if they did that. So, tell me, what is the mechanism that could possibly make a difference to the sound coming out of a D/A Converter, if they are all bit-perfect (and they are)?

 

George - This thread ain't for you.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys - Just received this one from MIT.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

The SL-Matrix (their top of the line)?

Yes.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Bye wadia171.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Kevin - If you can't remain civil and allow everyone to comment without a rude response, you will be banned from the site. You are encouraged to disagree, but you must do it in a respectful fashion.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys - I just ran into a really weird issue that was caused by a USB cable.

 

The complete story involves a lot of time troubleshooting, so I will just give you the final conclusion.

 

With the cable connected to my iMac and nothing connected to the other end of the cable (or a DAC connected to the cable) The Transparent Audio - Hardwired USB cable causes my iMac to detect an overcurrent and shut down the USB ports.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Few things : There's a cable fault between the +5V and any of the other conductors inside the cable (squashed enough to cause insulation damage), the connections have shorted, or Transparent have put their resistor in the wrong place.

when you remove the cable and replace it with another one, the fault vanishes?

Replaced with another cable and everything works perfect.

[The Computer Audiophile]

I've ordered a BlueJeansCable USB 2.0, 3ft. for $1.50.

 

I'll report back after I break it in and have a chance to audition its veil-lifting capacity.

 

Could you take one for the team and see if the $6 Belden sounds four times better?

Almost fell off my chair :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

23 minutes ago, Sal1950 said:

Links and evidence please. And you know the standards for a proper DBT listening test, matched levels, etc, etc.

No where on the net has supportable evidence ever been presented. A relatively easy task to accomplish which the subjective community avoids like the Black Plague.  Daily tons of subjective audio reports are posted on the web with basically zero evidence and no one willing to perform public over-sighted tests So far the most famous DBT are a few that have been done at audioshows and in youtube videos that have been shown to be falsified.

Is That All You Got?

 

 

Sal you are encouraged to post in many other threads. The company in this thread prefers you seek those out and stop posting in this one. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

All off topic stuff will be removed. Save yourself time and keep the thoughts in your head. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

30 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

 

I notice they do NOT want to answer the question.

 

I have to wonder if there is a financial connection with the over-priced cable co.

Or, they don't want to engage in a conversation with you or Mans. If I were you, I'd put this topic on ignore and not sweat it.

[The Computer Audiophile]

17 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

I am not sweating it at all.

 

But I am sure you don't want your site used for people with financial interests to push products...

Good, nice to see you aren't sweating it. It sure looked like you were going to be all over this thread, going back and forth in a belief vs belief argument etc...

 

I certainly don't want anyone pushing products here and I'm pretty sure that the OP has no financial interest as he has been an upstanding member of CA since August of 2009. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, Ralf11 said:

You are mis-apprehending the whole basis of testing vs. belief.

 

Now, what he could have done is say either yes or no... or "No, I thought the differences were so large that they could not be the result of conf. bias" or many other responses.

What you can do is create another thread to talk all about this rather than take this one down a path the original participants clearly don't want to travel. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

32 minutes ago, Sal1950 said:

I get your point Chris but,

Unfortunately then this thread will go on and on for pages unchallenged. Visitors here then start to believe these delusions, on things that are technically impossible, are the real thing.

No son, that 747 DIDN"T really disappear off the runway. 

Sal, you're trying to save people from themselves. We are all adults here and deserve the respect to not be challenged at every corner if we want to talk about a certain topic. This is where the idea of opening a different topic to discuss what you want comes into play. Heck, you can even post a notification in this topic that you've started another to let people know how you feel. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I hate to break the news to some of you guys but you aren’t the HiFi or internet police who need to save people from themselves. Stop pissing in the punch bowl at the party where everyone else is enjoying themselves. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, firedog said:

Sal, the site had gotten to the point where people who want to compare cables or anything else based on their listening couldn't do it without the thread being taken over by people telling them how ignorant and foolish they are. I don't think there is an issue of censorship here. There is an issue of letting people discuss what they want without them  having to defend themselves.

 

People should be able to have a subjective thread like this one. Do you really think people who are serious hobbyists and who post here have never been exposed to the arguments you are making? I can assure you they have. And they've rejected them.

 

Doesn't matter why. Doesn't matter if they are wrong. They have their approach to the hobby and have a right to discuss it without OT and condescending posts (in their context) constantly interrupting their discussion. They don't need and aren't asking for the type of input you are offering. You may think you are offering them truth and enlightenment. What you are doing in actuality is interrupting their discussion and trying to turn it into something else or even end it. In effect, it's the ultimate rudeness. Even if that isn't the intent.

 

Is there some reason you can't just ignore the thread? Is the world just not able to function without your input on this topic? And more to the point, do you really think anything is being accomplished by your posts? I don't. I don't think anyone is being educated or informed about the topic in a way they weren't before.

 

If the thread really bothers you, then start a thread called "why usb cable comparisons are nonsense" instead of posting here. I'd say it would even be okay if you simply post a link to your opposing thread here and then leave it at that.  You can quote posts from here and rebut them all you want at the opposing thread.

 

And it the subjectivists come and start making OT subjectivist posts at your thread I'd tell them the same thing.

 

 

Thank you for saving me all the keystrokes. Perfectly said. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, Ralf11 said:

I saved the thread - should I repost it????

No. You have 13,000+ post already. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

13 minutes ago, Sal1950 said:

 I much prefer the American Sam Kinison  😆

He was hilarious. Had the cassette in 7th grade. My friends and I loved it. 
 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Holy crap. Doug Sax mastered that album. 
 

[The Computer Audiophile]

19 minutes ago, mansr said:

@The Computer Audiophile, surely this isn't tolerated outside the containment zone.

Rather than be part of a solution, you seem to want to be part of the problem. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

42 minutes ago, mansr said:

It was you who declared me, marce, and others like us a problem.

Absolutely not. I declared that people who can't have a civil conversation and live and let live need their own space. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, mansr said:

Are you seriously expecting Alex to use the new area?

Alex won't be allowed to talk about his non scientific appeals to authority in the Objective-Fi area. 

 

He wasn't included in the group of people who endlessly harass subjectivists when they plead to be respectfully ignored. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 minutes ago, plissken said:

 

I'd like to point out the only headbutting I've had with subjective folk, in a decent 1/2 year or so, has mainly been in threads I've created. Some other in threads they didn't create.

 

From my POV, and I'm only speaking for myself, I'm not harassing by wanting to have a technical discussion.  I'm not harassing by asking for some de-biased evaluation.

 

I haven't jumped into USB cable threads, Power Cable threads etc...

I'd say it isn't possible to be an offender in one's own thread. The OP owns the space for all intents and purposes. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, sgr said:

I’ve never understood why those that don’t think cables sound different (or any other component) have to react negatively to what others at least believe they hear. 
 

Nor do I understand why the believers have to try to persuade unbelievers. 
 

And why insisting on coming to a forum and interrupt others’ conversations when the discussion does not pertain to belief or unbelief. 
 

Now if the topic is”Do cables make a difference in a system?” Then that’s open to all.

 

I’ve read about many things I scratch m head and wonder about. But I’m never going to tell someone they don’t hear what they say they do. 

 

I agree 100%