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My friend owns a Pangea USB cable. I don’t think the Pangea is in the same league as the Audioquest Diamond. The Diamond is all I owned when I was comparing.

AMR 777 DAC, Purist Ultimate USB, PC server 4gig SOTM USB, server 2012, Audiophil Optimizer,Joule Preamp LAP150 Platinum Vcaps Bybee, Spectron Monoblocks Bybee Vcaps, Eggleston Savoy speakers, 2 REL Stentor III subwoofers, Pranawire Cosmos speaker wire, Purist Dominus Praesto cabling, Purist Anniversary (Canorus)power cables and Elrod Statement Gold power cable, VPI Aries I SDS w/Grado The Statement LP, 11kVA power isolation, 16 sound panels and bass traps TAD,RPG,GIK and Realtraps

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You should give the Transparent USB Premium a try, it's the best USB cable I've found.

And since you have Transparent in the system it should be a good match.

 

I tried:

 

Wireworld Starlight 7

 

Transparent Performance

Silnote Poseidon Silver Reference

 

Oyaide Continental 5S

Audioquest Diamond

And the Transparent Premium

The Premium is by far the best sounding USB cable I tried in my system. More of everything we like. Resolution, bass, timbre naturalness, texture, weight, ultra black background...name it. The Premium has it.

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  • 2 weeks later...

am starting to compare ethernet cables. my Cantata's UPnP seems to be far more stable now.

LDMS Minix Server>Lampizator TRP w/ VC>Gryphon Diablo>Heil Kithara

Cables: Douglas Cables 'Mirage'', (Power); Douglas Cables 'Mirage' (XLR); Douglas Cables "GLIA" (speaker cables & jumper); FTA Callisto (USB)

Accessories: Furutech GTX-D (G) with cover, MIT Z Duplex Super; Equitech Balanced Power, Sistrum (for Diablo & TRP)

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  • 1 month later...

USB and Other Digital Cables Round Up

When it’s time to buy a USB or other digital cable, what’s the first thing to do? Well, you’re likely to turn to the audiophile mags and internet sources for reviews and opinions. Info is out there but scattered about, so here is a round up that doesn’t pretend to be comprehensive from some recent sources to assist you.

 

This round up is divided into USB cables and other digital cables sections.

 

A convenient source of good choices are the “Recommended Components” and “Editors’ Choice” type lists. This round up also takes note of the digital cables that audio reviewers say they are using in their own audio systems with the belief that we can extrapolate from that. For example, Stereophile reviewers typically list digital cables in an associated equipment section if they were used as part of an equipment review.

 

Notice that some cables are mentioned often. This is probably a good clue wouldn’t you think?

 

USB CABLES

Price List of USB Cables in this Round Up

 

Audioquest Carbon (0.75m $129; 1.5m $169)

Audioquest Coffee (0.75m $279; 1.5m $349)

Audioquest Diamond (0.75m $549; 1.5m $695)

Audioquest Forest (0.75m $35; 1.5m $39)

Belkin Gold Series (1m $15)

Cardas Clear (1m $168)

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB (1m $70; 1.5m $80)

Light Harmonic Lightspeed (1.6m $1399)

Pranawire Photon (0.6m $995; 1.2m $1295)

Purist Audio Design Ultimate (1m $995)

Straightwire USB-Link USB cable (1m, $50; 1.5m, $60)

Synergistic Research USB Active SE Cable w/ Enigma Tuning Circuits (1m $595)

Transparent Audio Performance (1m $95)

Wireworld Platinum Starlight (1m $599)

Wireworld Silver Starlight (1m $275)

Wywires Litespd (1.5m $799)

 

 

USB Cable Recommendations

 

Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components:

 

Audioquest Forest

Transparent Audio Performance

 

The Absolute Sound (TAS) 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide, Issue 237:

 

Audioquest Carbon

Audioquest Diamond

Audioquest Forest

Belkin Gold Series

Straightwire USB-Link

Wireworld Platinum Starlight

Wireworld Silver Starlight

 

The Absolute Sound 2013 Editors’ Choice Awards, Issue 241, March 2014:

 

Audioquest Carbon

Audioquest Diamond

Belkin Gold Series

Wireworld Platinum Starlight

Wireworld Silver Starlight

 

In Audiostream online there is a review of three cables titled “USB Cable Shootout” by Steven Plaskin on April 22, 2013:

 

Audioquest Diamond

Synergistic Research USB Active SE Cable with Enigma Tuning Circuits

Wireworld Platinum Starlight

 

USB cables that Plaskin uses in his own high end system are: Audioquest Diamond and Light Harmonic LightSpeed. Steven also promises that “In the future, all of my DAC reviews will include my choice of the preferred sounding USB cable. Hopefully, this will offer a starting point for our readers to explore what is possible with their particular DAC.”

 

Audioquest Diamond and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on December 4, 2013.

 

Audioquest Coffee and Belkin Gold USB cables were used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a recent DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3.

 

Audioquest Diamond USB cable review in TAS March 2012 by editor Robert Harley. This is his reference cable.

 

Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson as associated equipment in a recent DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3.

 

Audioquest Diamond and Wireworld Sliver Starlight USB cables were used by Chris Connaker as associated equipment in recent reviews on 1/29/2014.

 

Cardas Clear and DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cables were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2.

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable won a Goodsound/SoundStage! 2012 Great Buy Award. Reviewed by Hans Wetzel on January 1, 2012.

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable was reviewed favorably by Tom Gibbs in Positive Feedback, Issue 59, Jan/Feb 2012 edition.

 

Light Harmonic LightSpeed and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Bricasti Design M1 DAC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on January 20, 2014.

 

Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable was used in the Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC review in Audiostream online by Michael Lavorgna on February 24, 2014.

 

Pranawire Photon USB cable won a Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Award from editor David Robinson. He stated that this is his new reference standard.

 

Purist Audio Design Ultimate, Wywires Litespd, and Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cables won Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Awards from editor Dave Clark.

 

Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable won a TAS 2012 Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in the Sept. 2012 issue.

 

OTHER DIGITAL CABLES

Price List

 

Analysis Plus Digital Oval 75 Ohm (1m $190)

Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm (3ft $19)

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU (1m $99)

Kimber D-60 75 ohm (.5m $228; 1m $390)

Kimber Orchid AES/EBU (1m $695)

Kubala-Sosna Expression (1m S775)

Ocellia Reference Cable (1m $1027)

Stereovox HDVX coaxial (1m $100 in yr. 2004)

Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU or coaxial (1m $220; 1.5m $280)

Transparent XL Reference Digital Link (75 Ohm $3195; 110 Ohm $3595)

 

Other Digital Cables Recommendations

 

Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components:

 

Analysis Plus Digital Oval

Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU

Kimber Orchid AES/EBU

Kubala-Sosna Expression

 

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable was used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3.

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable and Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a Benchmark DAC2 HGC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2.

 

Kimber D-60 digital cable (75 ohm). Audio Advisor states that this was a Stereophile recommended cable in 1996.

 

Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable (1m $1027) won a 6Moons.com Blue Moon Award in September 2012.

 

Stereovox HDVX Coaxial Digital Cable was reviewed favorably in Enjoy the Music.com in January 2004 by Todd Warnke. This site has several other cable reviews.

 

Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU or Coaxial Digital Cable in The Absolute Sound 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide (other digital cables) Source: Issue 237.

 

Transparent XL Reference Digital Link (75 Ohm; 110 Ohm) in TAS Editor's Choice Awards 2014. Reviewed by Jacob Heilbrunn in TAS January 2014, Issue 239.

Win 10 laptop and JRiver22 (set to WASAPI) controlled remotely by JRemote on iPad Mini or iPhone> Belkin Gold USB cable > Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB to SPDIF converter> DH Labs D-75 digital coaxial cable > Benchmark DAC1 HDR with volume control> Cardas Golden Presence balanced interconnects > BSG Technologies QOL Signal Completion Stage > Cardas Golden Presence balanced interconnects > Music Reference RM-200 Mk II tube amp > Cardas Golden Presence speaker cables > Sonus faber Cremona M speakers.  Running Springs Haley power conditioner.

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USB and Other Digital Cables Round Up

When it’s time to buy a USB or other digital cable, what’s the first thing to do? Well, you’re likely to turn to the audiophile mags and internet sources for reviews and opinions. Info is out there but scattered about, so here is a round up that doesn’t pretend to be comprehensive from some recent sources to assist you.

 

This round up is divided into USB cables and other digital cables sections.

 

A convenient source of good choices are the “Recommended Components” and “Editors’ Choice” type lists. This round up also takes note of the digital cables that audio reviewers say they are using in their own audio systems with the belief that we can extrapolate from that. For example, Stereophile reviewers typically list digital cables in an associated equipment section if they were used as part of an equipment review.

 

Notice that some cables are mentioned often. This is probably a good clue wouldn’t you think?

 

USB CABLES

Price List of USB Cables in this Round Up

 

Audioquest Carbon (0.75m $129; 1.5m $169)

Audioquest Coffee (0.75m $279; 1.5m $349)

Audioquest Diamond (0.75m $549; 1.5m $695)

Audioquest Forest (0.75m $35; 1.5m $39)

Belkin Gold Series (1m $15)

Cardas Clear (1m $168)

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB (1m $70; 1.5m $80)

Light Harmonic Lightspeed (1.6m $1399)

Pranawire Photon (0.6m $995; 1.2m $1295)

Purist Audio Design Ultimate (1m $995)

Straightwire USB-Link USB cable (1m, $50; 1.5m, $60)

Synergistic Research USB Active SE Cable w/ Enigma Tuning Circuits (1m $595)

Transparent Audio Performance (1m $95)

Wireworld Platinum Starlight (1m $599)

Wireworld Silver Starlight (1m $275)

Wywires Litespd (1.5m $799)

 

 

USB Cable Recommendations

 

Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components:

 

Audioquest Forest

Transparent Audio Performance

 

The Absolute Sound (TAS) 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide, Issue 237:

 

Audioquest Carbon

Audioquest Diamond

Audioquest Forest

Belkin Gold Series

Straightwire USB-Link

Wireworld Platinum Starlight

Wireworld Silver Starlight

 

The Absolute Sound 2013 Editors’ Choice Awards, Issue 241, March 2014:

 

Audioquest Carbon

Audioquest Diamond

Belkin Gold Series

Wireworld Platinum Starlight

Wireworld Silver Starlight

 

In Audiostream online there is a review of three cables titled “USB Cable Shootout” by Steven Plaskin on April 22, 2013:

 

Audioquest Diamond

Synergistic Research USB Active SE Cable with Enigma Tuning Circuits

Wireworld Platinum Starlight

 

USB cables that Plaskin uses in his own high end system are: Audioquest Diamond and Light Harmonic LightSpeed. Steven also promises that “In the future, all of my DAC reviews will include my choice of the preferred sounding USB cable. Hopefully, this will offer a starting point for our readers to explore what is possible with their particular DAC.”

 

Audioquest Diamond and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on December 4, 2013.

 

Audioquest Coffee and Belkin Gold USB cables were used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a recent DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3.

 

Audioquest Diamond USB cable review in TAS March 2012 by editor Robert Harley. This is his reference cable.

 

Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson as associated equipment in a recent DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3.

 

Audioquest Diamond and Wireworld Sliver Starlight USB cables were used by Chris Connaker as associated equipment in recent reviews on 1/29/2014.

 

Cardas Clear and DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cables were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2.

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable won a Goodsound/SoundStage! 2012 Great Buy Award. Reviewed by Hans Wetzel on January 1, 2012.

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable was reviewed favorably by Tom Gibbs in Positive Feedback, Issue 59, Jan/Feb 2012 edition.

 

Light Harmonic LightSpeed and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Bricasti Design M1 DAC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on January 20, 2014.

 

Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable was used in the Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC review in Audiostream online by Michael Lavorgna on February 24, 2014.

 

Pranawire Photon USB cable won a Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Award from editor David Robinson. He stated that this is his new reference standard.

 

Purist Audio Design Ultimate, Wywires Litespd, and Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cables won Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Awards from editor Dave Clark.

 

Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable won a TAS 2012 Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in the Sept. 2012 issue.

 

OTHER DIGITAL CABLES

Price List

 

Analysis Plus Digital Oval 75 Ohm (1m $190)

Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm (3ft $19)

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU (1m $99)

Kimber D-60 75 ohm (.5m $228; 1m $390)

Kimber Orchid AES/EBU (1m $695)

Kubala-Sosna Expression (1m S775)

Ocellia Reference Cable (1m $1027)

Stereovox HDVX coaxial (1m $100 in yr. 2004)

Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU or coaxial (1m $220; 1.5m $280)

Transparent XL Reference Digital Link (75 Ohm $3195; 110 Ohm $3595)

 

Other Digital Cables Recommendations

 

Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components:

 

Analysis Plus Digital Oval

Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU

Kimber Orchid AES/EBU

Kubala-Sosna Expression

 

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable was used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3.

 

DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable and Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a Benchmark DAC2 HGC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2.

 

Kimber D-60 digital cable (75 ohm). Audio Advisor states that this was a Stereophile recommended cable in 1996.

 

Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable (1m $1027) won a 6Moons.com Blue Moon Award in September 2012.

 

Stereovox HDVX Coaxial Digital Cable was reviewed favorably in Enjoy the Music.com in January 2004 by Todd Warnke. This site has several other cable reviews.

 

Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU or Coaxial Digital Cable in The Absolute Sound 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide (other digital cables) Source: Issue 237.

 

Transparent XL Reference Digital Link (75 Ohm; 110 Ohm) in TAS Editor's Choice Awards 2014. Reviewed by Jacob Heilbrunn in TAS January 2014, Issue 239.

 

Out of your list is one of the best (to my ears/brain system):

 

Acoustic Revive [uSB-1.0SPS] Dual conduit 1 meter. Price vary depending on the source ($480 - 590)

 

It was the very first dual conduit. I find this cable the more musical and neutral (no excessive "detail" added) between a lot, but had not tried all.

 

[uSB-1.0SPS] [uSB-1.0PLS] | ACOUSTIC REVIVE

 

Roch

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Not sure what we can take from this line up except Audioquest and wireworld are certainly popular amongst reviewers.

 

Considering recent reports of the new Lightspeed Harmonic USB cables making customers go weak at the knees there is no mention of Mapleshade's clearlink cable or Nordost's blue heaven USB. I run all Nordost for all signal, speaker and power but have yet to try their USB cord. I'm still on the Benchmark DAC2 provided industry stock cable but am in the market to upgrade in this area shortly. Guys at Benchmark think its better to spend the money elsewhere in your system if you need to.

 

Whether we all, will ever agree on cables is unlikely.

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I don't have an opinion on the sound of the Audioquest USB cables, but I do feel compelled to point out that Audioquest's marketing department is most likely close in size to the total company staff of any of the other brands you list--save for Belkin and Kimber.

And Audioquest's total marketing budget (for things like samples to reviewers) could even eclipse the total annual revenue of a few of the other firms.

 

USB cables are likely not real high on reviewers' list of components they spend time comparing. So if the Audioquest samples sound better than the generic cable they were using--bingo, it gets recommended. Not to say that comparisons have not been made. Just pointing out some obvious factors.

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I actually took some time to listen to the Coffee and the Diamond from AQ in the past. Two very different beasts. Really didn't like the Coffee at all compared to other cables in the same or lower price class, but the Diamond was my favorite in it's price class. Do have to say, though, that the Lightspeed is the one to go for, IMO and if your system justifies it. It's just that good. Intend to get it soon, since I gave up on the whole UPnP front.

LDMS Minix Server>Lampizator TRP w/ VC>Gryphon Diablo>Heil Kithara

Cables: Douglas Cables 'Mirage'', (Power); Douglas Cables 'Mirage' (XLR); Douglas Cables "GLIA" (speaker cables & jumper); FTA Callisto (USB)

Accessories: Furutech GTX-D (G) with cover, MIT Z Duplex Super; Equitech Balanced Power, Sistrum (for Diablo & TRP)

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Out of your list is one of the best (to my ears/brain system):

 

Acoustic Revive [uSB-1.0SPS] Dual conduit 1 meter. Price vary depending on the source ($480 - 590)

 

It was the very first dual conduit. I find this cable the more musical and neutral (no excessive "detail" added) between a lot, but had not tried all.

 

[uSB-1.0SPS] [uSB-1.0PLS] | ACOUSTIC REVIVE

 

Roch

I was under the impression the Revelation Audio had the first dual-conduit, but I might be mistaken.

LDMS Minix Server>Lampizator TRP w/ VC>Gryphon Diablo>Heil Kithara

Cables: Douglas Cables 'Mirage'', (Power); Douglas Cables 'Mirage' (XLR); Douglas Cables "GLIA" (speaker cables & jumper); FTA Callisto (USB)

Accessories: Furutech GTX-D (G) with cover, MIT Z Duplex Super; Equitech Balanced Power, Sistrum (for Diablo & TRP)

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  • 3 weeks later...
I tried:

 

Wireworld Starlight 7

 

Transparent Performance

Silnote Poseidon Silver Reference

 

Oyaide Continental 5S

Audioquest Diamond

And the Transparent Premium

The Premium is by far the best sounding USB cable I tried in my system. More of everything we like. Resolution, bass, timbre naturalness, texture, weight, ultra black background...name it. The Premium has it.

 

I also tried:

 

Furutech GT2

 

Transparent Performance USB

 

AudioQuest Coffee USB

 

AudioQuest Diamond USB

 

Transparent Premium USB

 

And in my system, the best by far is also the Transparent Premium USB!

Mac Mini SSD . Amarra . Transparent HP HDMI . NAD M51 . MIT Avt1 . NAD M3E . MIT Terminator2 bi-wire . B&W 803S . BK XLS200 MkII

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Out of your list is one of the best (to my ears/brain system):

 

Acoustic Revive [uSB-1.0SPS] Dual conduit 1 meter. Price vary depending on the source ($480 - 590)

 

It was the very first dual conduit. I find this cable the more musical and neutral (no excessive "detail" added) between a lot, but had not tried all.

 

[uSB-1.0SPS] [uSB-1.0PLS] | ACOUSTIC REVIVE

 

Roch

 

 

Here's the thing I don't get about dual conduit: Given the fact that the two conduits are merged at the transmitting end (eg, the DAC) anyway, what's the point? It's all going to get mashed together anyway, right?

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Here's the thing I don't get about dual conduit: Given the fact that the two conduits are merged at the transmitting end (eg, the DAC) anyway, what's the point? It's all going to get mashed together anyway, right?

 

If you think of the waves that emanate from one set of wires to the other as a "corruptive force" then it will make sense to minimize the potential between the sets of wires. The easiest way to do this it to physically separate them. If they are in close proximity for an inch or two, that is still a big improvement over being close for the full cable length. Also, if your DAC does not require 5v from your computer, there may not be a connection at the DAC end (but of course there will be at the computer).

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If you think of the waves that emanate from one set of wires to the other as a "corruptive force" then it will make sense to minimize the potential between the sets of wires. The easiest way to do this it to physically separate them. If they are in close proximity for an inch or two, that is still a big improvement over being close for the full cable length. Also, if your DAC does not require 5v from your computer, there may not be a connection at the DAC end (but of course there will be at the computer).

 

Why not just make an audio USB without the 5v line? Does anyone already do that?

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Why not just make an audio USB without the 5v line? Does anyone already do that?

 

Because the 5v line is often needed for the initial handshake/recognition between the computer and the DAC (after which, the 5v line can be unplugged if the user's dac is self-powered). There do seem to be some exceptions though, as some users report being able to physically cut the 5v line in their usb cable, and the user's computer still recognizes the user's self-powered DAC. For others, that is not the case.

Speaker Room: Lumin U1X | Lampizator Pacific 2 | Viva Linea | Constellation Inspiration Stereo 1.0 | FinkTeam Kim | Revel subs  

Office Headphone System: Lumin U1X | Lampizator Golden Gate 3 | Viva Egoista | Abyss AB1266 Phi TC 

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HiFiNews rec the Chord SilverPlus, ahead of some of the cables above, July13 edition. Best was the Crystal Absolute Dream @ $10k! Even have graphs ...

macmini M1>ethernet / elgar iso tran(2.5kVa, .0005pfd)>consonance pw-3 boards>ghent ethernet(et linkway cat8 jssg360)>etherRegen(js-2)>ghent ethernet(et linkway cat8 jssg360) >ultraRendu (clones lpsu>lps1.2)>curious regen link>rme adi-2 dac(js-2)>cawsey cables>naquadria sp2 passive pre> 1.naquadria lucien mkII.5 power>elac fs249be + elac 4pi plus.2> 2.perreaux9000b(mods)>2x naquadria 12” passive subs.

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A friend of mine is bringing over his MIT Stylelink Plus cable for me to try out, he siad it was very very good in his system. Ive tried a few USB cables in the past and couldnt justify the expense as they made very little difference, some of these cables were Audioquest that cost $300 or so. It should be with me on monday to try out, I will feedback on here my findings. Has anyone tried one of the cables yet?

 

StyleLink Plus USB Interface | Available in Stores | MIT Cables

 

Lee

Sources are: Mac Mini 2010 / Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace c/w Jelco 750 D and Denon DL 103 MC cartridge. Phono Stage: EAR 834P. Power Amp: Audio Note Empress Silver into a Hattor passive pre. DAC: Lampizator Atlantic and Humming Board NAA Speakers: Horns.pl Mummys. Cables: Duelund DC 16 GA  - Audionote AN-SPX 27 Strand RCA and Albedo Silver RCA and Western Electric WE 16 GA. All digital music played through a Mac Mini using Roon and HQP. Power Supply: Gigawat PC2-EVO

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Well Santa came early last night to the Henley household along with a MIT Stylelink Plus USB cable for me to try out, in al honesty I was not prepared for the sound that came out of the system, gave the sound even more dleicay which is what I like along with creating an evenness to the sound, very difficult to put into words.

 

Anyway I was so impressed with the cable Ive ordered one, if you get the chance to try one then do so, highly recommended for the money.

Sources are: Mac Mini 2010 / Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace c/w Jelco 750 D and Denon DL 103 MC cartridge. Phono Stage: EAR 834P. Power Amp: Audio Note Empress Silver into a Hattor passive pre. DAC: Lampizator Atlantic and Humming Board NAA Speakers: Horns.pl Mummys. Cables: Duelund DC 16 GA  - Audionote AN-SPX 27 Strand RCA and Albedo Silver RCA and Western Electric WE 16 GA. All digital music played through a Mac Mini using Roon and HQP. Power Supply: Gigawat PC2-EVO

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Here's the thing I don't get about dual conduit: Given the fact that the two conduits are merged at the transmitting end (eg, the DAC) anyway, what's the point? It's all going to get mashed together anyway, right?

 

Yes, but not at the cable FULL length...

 

Roch

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HiFiNews rec the Chord SilverPlus, ahead of some of the cables above, July13 edition. Best was the Crystal Absolute Dream @ $10k! Even have graphs ...

 

A friend of mine, who is a distributor for two popular hi-end cable brands has recently bought this cable. He had great hopes, but when tried my AQ Diamond, immediately sold this cable and bought the Diamond. Not saying that the cable may not work in one system or another, just that the very high price does not always guarantee better performance.

Adam

 

PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card

Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC

Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo

Speakers: Magcio M3

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Hi Jud,

 

Just wish to thank you for your recommendation of the Mapleshade Clearlink Pluls USB cable. I used a Transparent Performance cable and have yielded to your occasional reminder of the Mapleshade cable.

 

While once landed here in Canada it costs twice as much as the Transparent cable I bought 2 years ago (shipping + FX), I find the extra cost is worth it for me.

 

I find the sound is more detailed, with a larger and clearer sound stage. I am a happy camper...until I want to upgrade again.

 

Best regards,

 

Gilles

MacBook Pro (OS 10.13, 16GB RAM, OCZ Vertex3 SSD, external Oyen HD w FireWire, Audirvana+ 3.5) -> Mapleshade Clearlink USB Plus cable -> UpTone Audio ISO Regen w Ultracap LPS-1.2 -> Wavelength Brick v3 DAC -> Transparent Wave Link interconnects -> Luxman R-1050 -> Transparent Music Wave Plus speaker cables -> ASW Cantius 504 speakers

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Hi Jud,

 

Just wish to thank you for your recommendation of the Mapleshade Clearlink Pluls USB cable. I used a Transparent Performance cable and have yielded to your occasional reminder of the Mapleshade cable.

 

While once landed here in Canada it costs twice as much as the Transparent cable I bought 2 years ago (shipping + FX), I find the extra cost is worth it for me.

 

I find the sound is more detailed, with a larger and clearer sound stage. I am a happy camper...until I want to upgrade again.

 

Best regards,

 

Gilles

Hi Gilles, regarding upgrade, I now have the Transparent Premium USB in my system for a the last three months. This cable bested by a good to infinite margin, Audioquest Diamond, Oyaide Continental 5S, Silnote Poseidon, Transparent Performance and Wireworld Starlight 7. Not cheap though.

 

Since I'm from Montreal too, It could be fun to compare the Clearlink plus to the Premium. I was tempted to order the Clearlink couple months back.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Have there been any updates in the lower end of the market?

Any giant killers out there?

 

How do these cables fit into the quality hierarchy?

 

Chord USB SilverPlus

iFi Gemini

iFi Mercury

Wireworld Violet V7

Light Harmonic Lightspeed Cable (just noticed comments on this one above)

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I don't know if I would pick that model, but the Belkin is a good place to start. I would pick the Gold model which uses higher spec cabling, for close to the same price:

Amazon.com: Belkin Gold Series 6-Foot USB A to B Cable; 20/28 AWG; DSTP: Electronics

 

But what are the clear steps up from here?

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This looks to me like a Computer Scientist poking fun at the 100s of members in this forum , posting in numerous threads,who not only hear differences between various USB cables, but quite often seem to have a marked preference for specific models.

Have a look at the +5V red wire of a typical USB cable at the device end with a C.R.O. while the device is operating, and you may see low level packets of Data among the SMPS rubbish ! Differential Receivers are supposed to be completely immune to things like that, at least in theory. It's also interesting to see that the most respected cables often claim to have improved isolation between D+ and D- and the SMPS +5V power wires.

 

How a Digital Audio file sounds, or a Digital Video file looks, is governed to a large extent by the Power Supply area. All that Identical Checksums gives is the possibility of REGENERATING the file to close to that of the original file.

PROFILE UPDATED 13-11-2020

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