USB cable comparisons

[manueljenkin]

Any recommendation for a good inexpensive usb c to micro usb audio cable like shanling l2 please? Not generic ones or from people who believe cables don't matter. I respect your opinion, but I believe otherwise.

 

I'd also be interested in cables that let me derive 5v from a separate source (something like a Y cable).

[Kimo]

Finally broke down and spent a little cash on a usb cable, the Black Cat Digit.  I would summarize the sound of 1m running between the Innuos and the Satie Dac, as such.

 

Very even handed and detailed without any edginess.  Soundstage is never forward, so sense of depth is increased.  Nothing seems out of order.  Voices and instruments sound a bit more real based on the way that they start and stop.  Bass lines are easier to follow.  Flow is excellent.

 

As for negatives.  The very top and bottom sounds a bit reserved.   Maybe not quite the sense of scale as I have heard with other cables.

 

My wife, who is rather indifferent to all this, liked the cable from the start.  She hates harsh, and even forward when not so harsh.  Even when she isn't in the same room.  Not sure how that works, but she has been consistent.  The Digit is clearly a step up in terms of revealing more information in a very natural manner than the Belkin Gold or Supra, my 2 cheap baseline cables.  

 

 

[matthias]

21 hours ago, Kimo said:

Finally broke down and spent a little cash on a usb cable, the Black Cat Digit. 

 

Thanks for sharing. How much is the Black Cat? One reference point to compare would be the Sablon 2020 USB.

Did you by chance compare these?

Thanks

 

Matt

[Kimo]

46 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

Thanks for sharing. How much is the Black Cat? One reference point to compare would be the Sablon 2020 USB.

Did you by chance compare these?

Thanks

 

Matt

 

Black Cat retails for 799.00 per 1 meter.  I have not heard the Sablon.  

 

I generally try to avoid chasing higher end cables, but a few people suggested the Black Cat with the Innuos, so I broke down and picked one up.  I use Supra, Grimm, and Belden in the rest of the system.   

[sgr]

And I thought we had pretty much determined that the lush2 was the greatest USB cable ever and Cody’s less than $300! 
 

Why do we torture ourselves?😎😎😎😎😎

 

That’s what makes audiophiles awesome folks we never can make up our collective minds and always willing to pay a bit more for the right to hear the difference!

 

Don’t fret I’m in the same boat!!

[barrows]

2 hours ago, matthias said:

 

Thanks for sharing. How much is the Black Cat? One reference point to compare would be the Sablon 2020 USB.

Did you by chance compare these?

Thanks

 

Matt

Black cat Digit is around $750.00.  The interesting thing about this cable, to me, is that it uses an unconventional geometry, with two coax cables for the data pair (which is a little similar to what the Nordost Valhalla 2 USB does), and then a weave of fine wires around that for the ground and +5 VDC lines.  This design is still impedance controlled and meets the USB spec for impedance.  I am interested in unconventional designs, because there could be an advantage in their technical differences (rather than just throwing some "special" wire in a typical geometry USB cable and calling it revolutionary).

[matthias]

33 minutes ago, barrows said:

Black cat Digit is around $750.00.  The interesting thing about this cable, to me, is that it uses an unconventional geometry, with two coax cables for the data pair (which is a little similar to what the Nordost Valhalla 2 USB does), and then a weave of fine wires around that for the ground and +5 VDC lines.  This design is still impedance controlled and meets the USB spec for impedance.  I am interested in unconventional designs, because there could be an advantage in their technical differences (rather than just throwing some "special" wire in a typical geometry USB cable and calling it revolutionary).

 

It is for sure a very interesting cable, however as always the proof is in the listening in comparison to similar priced cables.

 

Matt

[barrows]

1 hour ago, matthias said:

 

It is for sure a very interesting cable, however as always the proof is in the listening in comparison to similar priced cables.

 

Matt

I agree, but, being one who values technical information and the verification of truly superior performance vs. just a "preference" based solely on subjective testing, when it comes to USB cables the means exist to verify their performance objectively through a combination of high resolution eye pattern testing of the data pair, and spectral analysis of the all the wires for noise transmission.  A dual coax construction has the possible advantage of both better shielding of the data pair, and better signal integrity due to both the better shielding and the potential for a more symmetric relationship between the two conductors.

 

This cable has actual construction which could lead to better performance, rather than relying on nonsense such as "hammered wires like a Katana sword" or silver gold alloy conductors, which have no real technical benefit.

[sgr]

I’m ordering a Lust2 (I mean Lush2) I want to Drive myself crazy with the shield and grounding possibilities. 
 

if you’ve not examined and perused the Lush2 thread at this site you may want to check it out. 

[matthias]

12 minutes ago, sgr said:

I’m ordering a Lust2 (I mean Lush2) I want to Drive myself crazy with the shield and grounding possibilities. 
 

if you’ve not examined and perused the Lush2 thread at this site you may want to check it out. 

 

Be careful not to lose your sanity. Maybe you need the rest of your lifetime to check all possibilities. 😜

 

Matt

[thyname]

Honestly, if you are looking for a SOTA USB cable, and have the cash, Shunyata Sigma or Synergistic Research Galileo SX, are the best. A distant third, Audience FrontRow 

[Roasty]

Looking for recommendations between the sablon 2020 usb and fta callisto. Anyone? 

[CheapSplurge]

Got a bargain deal on a curious cable incoming, is the thing pretty good as far as more clarity and resolution? Using it with a chord dac. 

Additionally would a uptone regen make it ever better

? 

 

[Allan F]

On 8/2/2020 at 4:09 PM, CheapSplurge said:

Got a bargain deal on a curious cable incoming, is the thing pretty good as far as more clarity and resolution? Using it with a chord dac. 

Additionally would a uptone regen make it ever better?

 

 

IMO and experience, I would expect the answer to both questions to be "Yes".

[richard_crl032]

Hi,

 

Was reading up on fta callisto and this lush2 ....

 

I have the oyaide Continental 5S v2, zonotone shupreme, furutech pro2 gt and gave away the oyaide neo that I felt was not in the same league as the 3 mentioned.

 

Anyone here has these 3 to share how the callisto and lush2 compares ?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Cheers.

 

Richard

[matthias]

16 minutes ago, richard_crl032 said:

.......and gave away the oyaide neo that I felt was not in the same league as the 3 mentioned.

 

Richard,

which of the three Oyaide Neos did you try?

Thanks

 

Matt

[richard_crl032]

1 hour ago, matthias said:

 

Richard,

which of the three Oyaide Neos did you try?

Thanks

 

Matt

 

Hi Matt,

 

It was the OYAIDE Elec d+ USB class S rev.2 0.7m that I found with low resolution and dull.

 

I find the oyaide continental 5s v2 the best and using now from the Antipodes ex to the Terminator+.

 

Cheers.

 

Richard

[audiobomber]

I just purchased a used exaSound streamer and DAC that included a Curious Cable. I compared the Curious to the Oyaide neo d+ Class A in my headphone system (sMS-200 Neo, USB cable, Audiolab 8200CD DAC, Yorkville Studio One XLR cable, Hafler HA15 amp, Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones). This system is highly resolving, cable changes have been significant and meaningful. Not with the Curious and Oyaide though, differences were virtually imperceptible. No way I could tell them apart in a blind test. The wallet would know though, since the Oyaide costs about 1/6 the price.

[barrows]

24 minutes ago, audiobomber said:

I just purchased a used exaSound streamer and DAC that included a Curious Cable. I compared the Curious to the Oyaide neo d+ Class A in my headphone system (sMS-200 Neo, USB cable, Audiolab 8200CD DAC, Yorkville Studio One XLR cable, Hafler HA15 amp, Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones). This system is highly resolving, cable changes have been significant and meaningful. Not with the Curious and Oyaide though, differences were virtually imperceptible. No way I could tell them apart in a blind test. The wallet would know though, since the Oyaide costs about 1/6 the price.

I suspect the eXasound DAC and transport may be the reason you do not hear any difference in these cables: the eXasound DACs do not use normal USB 2 audio data transfer protocols, instead using bulk mode, this mode of data transfer may be less sensitive to small variations in cable performance.  To be clear, I am not saying the above IS the case, just that it is a possibility, which might be worth testing by comparing these cables with a different DAC which uses standard USB 2 audio interfacing.

[audiobomber]

1 minute ago, barrows said:

I suspect the eXasound DAC and transport may be the reason you do not hear any difference in these cables: the eXasound DACs do not use normal USB 2 audio data transfer protocols, instead using bulk mode, this mode of data transfer may be less sensitive to small variations in cable performance.  To be clear, I am not saying the above IS the case, just that it is a possibility, which might be worth testing by comparing these cables with a different DAC which uses standard USB 2 audio interfacing.

I didn't use the exaSound components, they are in my main system. I used my headphone system (details shown in the previous post). 

[audiobomber]

Ghent Audio USB cables get a lot of favourable mentions in this thread, and it is interesting because of the variety of configurations. I have a dual head Ghent, which is useful for separating the power and signal for my laptop and Raspberry Pi, which have crap USB power. The Oyaide (and Curious) have better SQ though. The Ghent misses a bit of impact compared to the other two. 

[xyzzy1]

On 2/14/2020 at 7:40 PM, Sal1950 said:

Sorry but the truth has to come to light on occasion.

The popularity of cable snake oil has made a laughing stock of the audiophile community.

A lie repeated often enough still doesn't make it true.

 

 

People who are critically and carefully and repeatedly listening to high end audio equipment can hear that there are differences in cables of all kinds. It takes at least an entry level high end audio system and lots listening to favorite songs. It's then that one can notice the subtle nuances and differences.

 

Expensive is not best and many cheaper cables sound quite good.

 

If you are not sweating to hear every detail in your audio system then, yes, any cable will do.

 

[AnotherSpin]

5 hours ago, xyzzy1 said:

 

People who are critically and carefully and repeatedly listening to high end audio equipment can hear that there are differences in cables of all kinds. It takes at least an entry level high end audio system and lots listening to favorite songs. It's then that one can notice the subtle nuances and differences.

 

Expensive is not best and many cheaper cables sound quite good.

 

If you are not sweating to hear every detail in your audio system then, yes, any cable will do.

 

 

The better the combination of components in an audio system, the less difference in the "sound" of the cables can be perceived. Conversely, in a random set of poorly matched components, the difference in the "sound" of the cables may be more noticeable.

[jon2020]

Totally disagree. You have no idea what you are talking about. You need to give this issue a rest as it seems to be gnawing at you to no end, just to prove your point which is simply wrong at so many levels. 

[fas42]

2 minutes ago, AnotherSpin said:

 

The better the combination of components in an audio system, the less difference in the "sound" of the cables can be perceived. Conversely, in a random set of poorly matched components, the difference in the "sound" of the cables may be more noticeable.

 

This is correct. When a system is set up with good quality components, but there hasn't been care in sorting out all the aspects - which you can call matching if you like - then the remaining replay distortion is very noticeable - people like to call this, "signature" 😀. These anomalies are usually of a type which are heavily influenced by the qualities of the cables used - the latter act as effects units, by moderating the levels and spectrum of the audible playback distortions, and can be endlessly played with; in the belief that they are improving the system - whereas it really is an exercise of going in circles ...

 

Conversely, when a setup is highly optimised then the character of the recording itself dominates - it sets the agenda for what you hear. At this point the value of of fiddling with cables is negligible - the conductors, construction and shielding are doing what they are supposed to do; transfer signals from one point in the overall circuit to another - and nothing else.