USB cable comparisons

[reverendo]

PS, those Enigma Tuning Bullets on the Synergistic Research Active SE USB link kind of seem like a load of bull****. Haha, I'm not sure how best else to describe my impression of them. Now I haven't looked into them at all, and I haven't demoed the cable, but can anyone explain what they are or how they actually modify the sound signature of the data-signal?

Ben, the name sounds ridiculous, but I can assure you that there are differences. I have now idea as to how they work, but, dependeing on what you are looking for, they do change the sound. They also get VERY hot!

bang for buck, I really still think that the Clearlink is the way to go. As Jud said, the low end does improve with one of Mapleshade's Power Cords (also using one on my DAC), but then again, that's introducing another variable, so on it's own, the low end does lack in definition and timbre. If that's what you're lacking then maybe the Silver Starlight is more down your alley, but it's double the price and it doesn't have the clarity and transparency that the Clearlink Plus has.

Best regards

André

[reverendo]

Speaking of USB cable comparissons:

USB Cable Shootout | AudioStream

fantastic! it's almost exactly what I felt in my comparision, but put in other words. I didn't have the Gallilleo on hand and also didn't feel the loss of any details with the black Enigma bullet, but I'd have to agree with all the rest. Like I said, different systems will prefer different cables.

Thanks for the link, Matias

[reverendo]

my AQ Diamond has arrived. now I just have to suffer through the burn-in process...

best regards to all

[reverendo]

I recently bought the Synergistic Research Active SE with Enigma tuning circuits. Love it!

love that one, too, especially with the black bullet

[reverendo]

So what did you think of the Diamond cable compared to the others?

Well, when I wrote this I had already tested that cable so I knew what I was going to get. Here and here are the posts where I talk about the differences between the last cables I tested. No need to say that the best in my system was the Diamond, since I actually bought it.

[reverendo]

has anyone here had any experience with the Purist Ultimate USB cable? I've got a chance to get it, but I don't think I'll be able to compare it.

[reverendo]

I sold my Audioquest Diamond thinking that the Cantata was ready for prime time... well, it isn't yet, so I'll probably just order another Diamond. I just thought that maybe someone has listened to something interesting these last few months that might be worth mentioning before I bite the bullet.

[reverendo]

MarkS,

You got won heck of a system there! I tested the Synergistic, but it was with the normal psu. Did the Galileo make much of a difference?

 

I haven't heard it, but the Tellerium Black Diamond is something I want to try.

 

I recently switched from Locus Cynosure (v1) to Synergistics new powered USB with the galileo PSU. I like a lot of things about the Sneegistics cable (very well defined imaging), but the stage is a little lacking in depth and tye cable seems a bit bright sometimes.

[reverendo]

Purist Ultimate USB cable coming the next few days. Will do burn in and then compare to the AQ Diamond.

[reverendo]

reverendo, did you try SR Active SE with the Galileo MPC upgrade?

nope, never tried it. the added expense wouldn't have been within my budget at that time and I don't have any other SR cables. it was already a great cable with the normal MPC, but the Diamond fit my system better. let's see if a cable almost double the price is a better fit or not

[reverendo]

"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,

since you quoted the first paragraph of my first post of this thread I'd like to post the second one, the one that comes right after it.

"I'd like to discourage those who do not hear differences in USB cables (or all cables) to post on this thread. I understand and respect your opinions and findings, but we'll have to agree to disagree. As human beings we all have different physical abilities. Some can run long stretches, some are fast swimmers, some are lift heavy weights... you get my point. This also applies to the physical part of listening, too. It's also true that we don't have the same experience (and/or training) in processing the information that our brain receives and, of course, this also applies to listening. So please, PLEASE, let's not let this thread become a discussion about placebo effects vs. hearing and listening disabilities, ok?"

The idea is not to discuss the theory, but the perceived reality. You're welcome to discuss within this frame. If not, maybe it would be best to iniciate another thread.

Best regards

[reverendo]

+1

Hi Allan,

thanks for correcting my "initiate"... it's a pity that one can't edit the post after a while. now it's there and I can't fix it...

[reverendo]

Almost finished burning-in the Purist Ultimate USB. Will compare to the AQ Diamond and maybe to the Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cable.

[reverendo]

I look forward to your comments. Another usb cable that seems interesting is the TotalDac usb cable/filter at 330 euros (outside eu). Michael Lavorgna compared it directly to the Light Harmonic Lightspeed and he preferred the TotalDac:

 

Totaldac D1-Dual DAC | AudioStream

 

totaldac USB cable

 

and finally hifi pig's comments (which appear later in the review):

 

Totaldac D1-tubedac | Hifi Pig

Blake,

It seems to be promising, especially for that price, but I don't believe they have a way to lend it just for testing. I really don't feel like going through the whole burn-in process anytime soon.

I'll post my findings as soon as possible.

Best regards

[reverendo]

They do have a 10-day trial period with money back guaranty, but yeah, I hear you. The burn-in process stinks. Actually, I find A/B comparison testing to be rather tiresome after a while. You get to a point where you want to stop analyzing and just enjoy the music.

... and I'm getting pretty near to that point. I'm only testing these options, since I had sold my AQ Diamond anticipating that the Cantata's UPnP would make we ditch the whole transport thing altogether. Unfortunately it's they haven't solved some bugs with track change yet, which is making me go back to USB cables. Since I had the chance to listen to the Ultimate before buying the Diamond again it took the chance. Will be borrowing the Diamond from thecableco. again and will see where that goes. In the mean time I've changed almost my other cables with absolutely startling results. Rather expensive, but still awe-inspiring.

Let's see what the comparisions will bring.

[reverendo]

I just ordered the Totaldac usb cable today. I am very satisfied with my Mapleshade Clearlink Plus, and it beat 10 or so much more expensive usb cables in direct head-to-head shootouts in my system. However, I am really curious about the Totaldac, so I will give it a whirl.

great. will also await your impressions. hope that I'll get to test the three next week.

Best regards

[reverendo]

I just took the time to compare these two USB cables. I have to confess that initially it took me a while until I understood the basic differences. Once I understood it became easier to analyze and report their differences. Here are my final standings:

 

Purist Ultimate

• is overall darker
  
• is more detailed
  
• has more body
  
• has more accurate LFs
  
• has better HF decay
  
• is on par with Diamond's soundstage placement
  
• is as fast as the Diamond
  
• has less ambience information
  
• has better timbre
  
• is overall more refined
  
• has a lower noise floor
  

AudioQuest Diamond

• has more HF information
  
• has more ambience
  
• has a higher soundstage
  
• is lighter
  
• LFs sound slightly bloated compared to Ultimate
  
• soundstage placement on par with Ultimate
  
• same speed as Ultimate
  
• timbres less accurate
  
• less detailed
  

 

I confess that I thought that the Ultimate wouldn't better the Diamond. I had previously compared it to the Cantata's stock cable about two weeks ago and the differences were so small that I thought that it would be slaughtered when compared to the Diamond. Fact is that it takes FOREVER to burn in. Purist says that one should give it about 100 hours and that's why I thought the process was over a few weeks ago. I definitely wasn't thrilled after that period. Now I know that it needs to get at least 200-250 hours in order to show what it can do.

While comparing I found out why I initially had a little trouble in understanding the differences. I was missing the HF information that the Diamond was giving me, especially when it came to ambience. Once I figured that out it was easy to see that the Ultimate is the better and more refined cable. I guess I kind of like the way Silver reproduces HFs. I will miss the ambience information and maybe I'll be able to find what I'm missing in the Light Harmonic Lightspeed cable that I'll borrow later today, but there's no way that the Diamond and the Ultimate are on the same playing field.

OTOH, it's very probable that these kind of differences won't show up in less detailed and transparent setups so I don't necessarily believe that the Ultimate's strengths, which I mainly believe are due to it's lower noise floor, are going to be apparent in all systems. YMMV.

On a last note I must say that I played almost all my test tracks fully. That's a sign that I'm having dificulties in keeping the music from playing. I have spent more money on music in the last 4 months than I have in the last 4 years. Symptoms of a system that is playing beautifully.

[reverendo]

Boy, you should be glad that you didn't post this here: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/ultimate-double-blind-test-new-usb-cables-better-18096/

 

BTW, I agree that most cables, including USB cables, only sound their best after they have been burned in. Contrarians, please, this thread is for people who believe in differences between USB cables and are seeking opinions based on those perceived differences.

that's why this thread is kind of a safe haven. in my first post I tried to make that clear and people have been respectful of that up to now.

Reverendo: Do I recall correctly that you also have/had a Mapleshade Clearlink in house? If so, how does it compare to the Purist?

 

Also, is the Purist a loan checked out from The Cable Co. or a dealer--or did you actually shell out $900+ plus for it based on reputation? Not really any of my business, but I let out a small gasp when I just checked the price.

 

Really glad you are still enjoying the Cantata. I am a fan of Jeff Kalt's designs--and of the PCM1704!

 

Cheers,

ALEX

Hi Alex,

I'm still loving the Cantata, though now I know where it's small short-comings are. Am also a little frustrated with the UPnP taking so long to be ready for end consumers.

A friend of mine bought the Ultimate for himself and didn't have the patience to burn it in so he sent them to me in order for me to suffer through that process. He's in no hurry to get them, so I took longer and glad I did. It's an insane price, but it's better than Diamond in my system. Am still hoping that I can find something that gives me the ambience that silver gives me without giving up on all the rest the Ultimate has brought to the table.

In regards to the Clearlink Plus: I sold it, since it was clearly inferior to the Diamond in my system and I was willing to cash out the extra bucks for that upgrade. It still is the best cost/benefit USB Cable that I know. Let's see if I can get an Ultimate for a special price now. Will have to send the Ultimate soon, since my friend's now heard of my listening impressions.

[reverendo]

About the Clearlink plus, there are aslo some who have found it to be better than the Diamnond so I guess like always always, matching!

I also think about buying the Clearlink plus, but I am also willing to spend more bucks for a better result. But 1000 bucks is alot:) But in all this madness. I fully understand..hehe

I haven't spent those bucks... yet!

the Clearlink Plus is a great cable, a cable that I'll be buying soon for my brother's system. OTOH, there was no area in my system were it wasn't bettered by the Diamond in my system as far as I can remember. They did not play in the same level, pretty much like the Diamond and the Ultimate do not play on the same level. YMMV, like always.

[reverendo]

Excellent, detailed write up Reverendo. Thanks for taking the time to let us know your thoughts on the Diamond vs. the Ultimate. I look forward to reading about your findings with respect to the Light Speed Harmonic usb, and how it compares to the other usb cables you auditioned.

I had the chance to compare the Lightspeed to the Ultimate for 4 tracks until a few minutes ago. Then the family got home and one pleasure was replaced by another.

I won't give any first impressions just yet, since I think that the Lightspeed should settle in for a while. I'm not sure if I've understood the differences between both of them yet. The Diamond didn't need that because of it's DBS technology.

Let's see how this goes. I'll be updating at least with first impressions the next few days.

[reverendo]

+1 ... am curious to know how the Clearlink compares to the AQ Diamond.

 

@reverendo - would you characterize the differences as subtle or significant? Just curious...

 

Thanks, in advance.

maybe these posts and the ones in between can help:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-cable-comparisons-14397/index8.html#post218692

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-cable-comparisons-14397/index9.html#post218983

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/usb-cable-comparisons-14397/index9.html#post219960

Best regards

[reverendo]

I'll cut to the chase:

 

Light Harmonic Lightspeed

• HFs seriously better than Ultimate, therefore ambience information is there and in all it's glory
  
• more 3D. sometimes makes Ultimate sound 2D in comparison. I said "sometimes"!
  
• has considerably more depth than Ultimate
  
• has beautiful, beautiful HF decay
  
• soundstage placement is almost spooky
  
• is more detailed than Ultimate
  
• has less body and weight than Ultimate
  

 

Purist Ultimate

• has more body and weight
  
• is darker
  
• soundstage placement is inferior to Lightspeed
  
• takes a serious beating in HF decay
  

 

Of course everything is a matter of taste, but in this case the situation is almost a no-brainer, unless your system suffers of severe lack of body and weight. The Ultimate is a great USB cable, but the Lightspeed actually provided me with everything that I kind of felt that was lacking, especially in the HF and ambience department. What surprised me, apart from the fantastic ambience retrieval, was that it bettered the already fantastic levels of detail that the Ultimate brought to the table. Like always, YMMV, but probably not by much.

The only question now is if I can bring myself to invest this kind of money in a USB cable. The results are there, but cost/benefit starts to kick in big time. Let's see if I can find a Lightspeed for a decent price.

Best regards

[reverendo]

Thanks for the report. Now I have another reason to be glad I backed Light Harmonic's latest campaign (Geek Pulse: A Digital Audio Awesomifier for Your Desktop | Indiegogo) over at Indiegogo for the Geek Pulse desktop DAC/headphone amp: They hit a fundraising milestone and announced that all backers will be getting one of their upcoming Lightspeed Jr. cables for free. It is supposed to be almost the same design as the expensive one, but it does not have the separately housed power line. That's okay by me since my main system DAC does not need any USB power and I already tape off pins 1 and 4 at the computer end.

 

So Reverendo, perhaps you might consider waiting and buying a Lightspeed Jr. for $99 (don't know their ship date) and seeing how close it comes the pricey one.

 

Goodnight,

Alex C.

Alex,

Unfortunately my DAC needs the power line for the hand-shake, so I wouldn't be able to use it that way. Fact is, I believe that separating both may have a lot to do with the results. I'd like to see the Jr. against the Clearlink Plus that would be approx. it's price.

[reverendo]

In my tests I compared the Clearlink Plus with the power leg cut and removed against the AudioQuest Diamond and the Lightspeed. The Clearlink Plus was the clear winner. I believe that removing the power leg really improved the quality of sound.

 

Dave

Hi Dave,

Unfortunately I can't do that in my setup, but that's a very surprising result, making the Clearlink Plus an even better bargain.

Thanks for the info

[reverendo]

I'm loving the Lightspeed in my system, but am definitely very weary of shelling out those big bucks for a USB cable. OTOH, it seems it'll be difficult to find one on the used market, since I can't imagine someone selling theirs.