Robd2 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Loving the forum, great info all around which is really increasing my sound quality. Starting to plan out a dedicated computer build but for the time being need a USB cable upgrade. Right now running a stripped down laptop to the DAC in a McIntosh Integrated amp (5200). Any recommendations on USB Cable/Device upgrades? Budget is sort of “open” but not crazy high. Link to comment
wwaldmanfan Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Loving the forum, great info all around which is really increasing my sound quality. Starting to plan out a dedicated computer build but for the time being need a USB cable upgrade. Right now running a stripped down laptop to the DAC in a McIntosh Integrated amp (5200). Any recommendations on USB Cable/Device upgrades? Budget is sort of “open” but not crazy high. Oh, geez. One of the most bandied-about subjects in the history of this forum. Budget is open, eh? USB cables range in price from $25 to $9,000. However, for many of us, more than a couple hundred bucks for a cable would be crazy high. My advice? Buy an UpTone Audio REGEN ($175). You can add a very good audio USB cable by Supra, AudioQuest, Kimber Kable, or Chord for $50-$100. Link to comment
Tone Deaf Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 +1 Main System: Mac mini (Audirvana+, MMK, JS-2) -> ISO Regen (LPS-1) -> Icron 2201 (Rex LPS-1.2) -> ISO Regen (LPS-1.2) -> Ayre QB-9 Twenty -> Headamp GS-X Mk2 -> Classe CT-M600 -> KEF Reference 201/2 Link to comment
Robd2 Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 Good info guys, thank you. Link to comment
Cycleman Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 My advice? Buy an UpTone Audio REGEN ($175). You can add a very good audio USB cable by Supra, AudioQuest, Kimber Kable, or Chord for $50-$100. Definitely agree about the UpTone Regen. And you can buy one of those "very good audio USB cable" such as from Kimber Kable, AudioQuest, and Supra in near-new condition but at less than half-price here on the Computer Audiophile classifieds, where you might not have seen that I'm selling them. Dave, who says this is a bit bold but has wondered about the lack of interest so perhaps that lack is just because people don't know ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Music is love, made audible. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Link to comment
HDgeorge Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Best value for money USB cables in middle category are : Paul Pang, Curious, Totaldac D1 Best uber USB cable: Stealth USB-T. Stay away from any Kimber, Nordost. Cheap good option: wireworld, ifI gemini. Loving the forum, great info all around which is really increasing my sound quality. Starting to plan out a dedicated computer build but for the time being need a USB cable upgrade. Right now running a stripped down laptop to the DAC in a McIntosh Integrated amp (5200). Any recommendations on USB Cable/Device upgrades? Budget is sort of “open” but not crazy high. Link to comment
kennyb123 Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Stay away from any Kimber, Nordost. I heard both the Nordost Blue Heaven and Heimdall USB cables in my system. The Heimdall was excellent and well worth auditioning. Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali power conditioner, Shunyata Alpha and Delta power cords, Shunyata Alpha interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD60 speaker cables, ASC isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels Link to comment
Jud Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Audioquest is a good solid cable, but I much preferred the Mapleshade Clearlink Plus at $135 to the Audioquest Coffee at about double the price. I think the Regen is great, but I can't tell you how it would sound with a cheap cable versus the Mapleshade, for example, without the Regen. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical to EtherREGEN -> microRendu -> ISO Regen -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
davide256 Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Buying cables is like playing the lottery, mostly you lose. The cable that sucked yesterday becomes a winner the next time you change gear Regards, Dave Audio system Link to comment
Robd2 Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 Great info for a newbie so thank you so much. I've been auditioning the Transparent (performance vs high performance). Link to comment
kennyb123 Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Buying cables is like playing the lottery, mostly you lose. The cable that sucked yesterday becomes a winner the next time you change gear I've not experienced anything like this. I think the outcome might depend on the criteria up which the cables were selected. Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali power conditioner, Shunyata Alpha and Delta power cords, Shunyata Alpha interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD60 speaker cables, ASC isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels Link to comment
RubenV Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Best I have heard so far was the PPA red usb cable, better then the Audioquest Diamond. Good quality/price ratio. I have never heard the Stealth USB-T though. Mobile: iPhone 6s 128Gb > Chord Hugo > Shure 846 Stereo: PPA dual streamer setup with JPlay and AO > Lampizator Golden Gate SE > Classe Omega Preamp MKII > 2xNord On UP NC500DM > Linkwitz LX521 Link to comment
HDgeorge Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 PPA red is amazing cable. Stealth USB-T is just better. But with PPA red you can be assured it's a top cable much better than much-advertised "well known" brands....... Best I have heard so far was the PPA red usb cable, better then the Audioquest Diamond. Good quality/price ratio.I have never heard the Stealth USB-T though. Link to comment
fakeM Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 try SOtM tX-USBhubEX instead of changing the USB cable, will perfectly fit your demand. Link to comment
4est Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Does it come with pigtails? try SOtM tX-USBhubEX instead of changing the USB cable, will perfectly fit your demand. Forrest: Win10 i9 9900KS/GTX1060 HQPlayer4>Win10 NAA DSD>Pavel's DSC2.6>Bent Audio TAP> Parasound JC1>"Naked" Quad ESL63/Tannoy PS350B subs<100Hz Link to comment
fakeM Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Does it come with pigtails? Yes, it does come along with 1 bundle USB cable, you will need to check the AVREV review here, SOtM iSO-CAT6 LAN Filter And tX-USBhub Review - AVRev.com Enjoy Link to comment
JLVenter Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Curious Usb cable - enough said Link to comment
hytechrednek Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Curious Usb cable - enough said I'll vote for the Curious Cable as well but have only heard it against some Wireworld models, the Supra and Straighwire USB cables. The curious is far more musical and vivid than these IMO. Hytek Link to comment
thuandb Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Best I have heard so far was the PPA red usb cable, better then the Audioquest Diamond. Good quality/price ratio.I have never heard the Stealth USB-T though. +1 about PPA USB cable, especially the dual lead PPA USB. Never heard AQ Diamond or Stealth USB-T, but good to hear PPA USB better AQD. WS2019 Core Datacenter, dualPC, JPLAY Femto, AO3, Fidelizer Pro 8.8, MC2XY, IOS app. Link to comment
panosm Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I tried a number of cables, and as you know there is alot out there. What I ended up with is a wireworld platinum eclipse. It does the job and not *too* expensive, I also like the theory behind the wireworld cables. there may be others out there, yet this is what i chose:) Link to comment
TrivQuad Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 I started off with a Kimber CU and never really gave it much thought until I bought a Schiit Wyrd and started experimenting with USB cables. Between the moderately priced Kimber, Analysis Plus, Wire World, and Shunyata cables, I liked the Wire World Starlight 7 the best. It had a wide sound stage and crisp highs. For $100 it does a nice job. Loving the forum, great info all around which is really increasing my sound quality. Starting to plan out a dedicated computer build but for the time being need a USB cable upgrade. Right now running a stripped down laptop to the DAC in a McIntosh Integrated amp (5200). Any recommendations on USB Cable/Device upgrades? Budget is sort of “open” but not crazy high. Link to comment
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