Problem with USB cable/s Audioquest

[Blakcloud]

I purchased two Audioquest Cinnamon USB cables from two different reputable stores but one may be counterfeit. The outside jacket on one is woven and the other is plastic but has a similar design. I will send them both to Audioquest to see if one or both are not legitimate because I have my concerns at least one seems to be off.

 

The second problem is that I just purchased a Metrum Octave Mk. II DAC and every time I use one of the two AQ cables that DAC is not recognized by my computer. When I plug in a cheap no-name crap cable it works just fine. Assuming one cable is not counterfeit why won't my computer recognize the DAC with that cable? They are both 1.5 meters longs so nothing crazy. Are there issues between certain DAC's and cables? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would prefer to use a higher grade cable than what I have at the moment.

[sailor2005]

I purchased two Audioquest Cinnamon USB cables from two different reputable stores but one may be counterfeit. The outside jacket on one is woven and the other is plastic but has a similar design. I will send them both to Audioquest to see if one or both are not legitimate because I have my concerns at least one seems to be off.

 

The second problem is that I just purchased a Metrum Octave Mk. II DAC and every time I use one of the two AQ cables that DAC is not recognized by my computer. When I plug in a cheap no-name crap cable it works just fine. Assuming one cable is not counterfeit why won't my computer recognize the DAC with that cable? They are both 1.5 meters longs so nothing crazy. Are there issues between certain DAC's and cables? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would prefer to use a higher grade cable than what I have at the moment.

 

DO NOT send your cables to AQ. On their webpage they say they will destroy the cables if they say cables are counterfeit. So what do you gain by sending the cables? Nothing, you will still be out of the money you paid. What if both pairs are "found" to be counterfeit? Do the cables work with other USB devices? A proper certified USB cable should NOT have issues with a DAC.

[johndoe21ro]

DO NOT send your cables to AQ. On their webpage they say they will destroy the cables if they say cables are counterfeit. So what do you gain by sending the cables? Nothing, you will still be out of the money you paid. What if both pairs are "found" to be counterfeit? Do the cables work with other USB devices? A proper certified USB cable should NOT have issues with a DAC.

 

So what do you suggest? Selling them? Are you willing to buy a counterfeit cable that doesn't work?! And this was your first post here?!

[The Computer Audiophile]

Send the cables into AQ. If you have documentation and the cables are counterfeit, I'm willing to bet AQ will help you out with some new cables.

 

Any chance you can post photos of the cables here?

[CatManDo]

Could it be that Audioquest changed their design at some point? I googled for images of the Cinnamon USB, and two versions with a different shielding design can be found:

 

 

[sailor2005]

So what do you suggest? Selling them? Are you willing to buy a counterfeit cable that doesn't work?! And this was your first post here?!

 

Dude..chill...and please read..go to the AQ webpage..check their link about counterfeits..read the terms:

 

Terms & Conditions

 

 

Any cable found to be an authentic AudioQuest cable will be returned to you at no cost.

 

 

Any cable found (or determined) by AudioQuest to be counterfeit will be destroyed at the authentication center. You will not be compensated in any way for a destroyed counterfeit cable.

 

You do whatever you want to do with them, I just suggested not taking the risk. But then again...

[kumakuma]

I purchased two Audioquest Cinnamon USB cables from two different reputable stores but one may be counterfeit. The outside jacket on one is woven and the other is plastic but has a similar design. I will send them both to Audioquest to see if one or both are not legitimate because I have my concerns at least one seems to be off.

 

The second problem is that I just purchased a Metrum Octave Mk. II DAC and every time I use one of the two AQ cables that DAC is not recognized by my computer. When I plug in a cheap no-name crap cable it works just fine. Assuming one cable is not counterfeit why won't my computer recognize the DAC with that cable? They are both 1.5 meters longs so nothing crazy. Are there issues between certain DAC's and cables? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would prefer to use a higher grade cable than what I have at the moment.

 

Why not just return the wonky cable to the store where you purchased it?

[bloodyhandprint]

Audioquest cables come with either jacket. You can order which one you like. I had one that would not work in the rear usb ports of my computer but fine in the front ports. Something to try

[Blakcloud]

Thanks everyone. CatManDo posted the two that I have. I didn't know they changed their jackets at some point that is why I thought one was counterfeit. One is smooth like the bottom photo and the other is woven like the top photo.

 

Now assuming they are both not counterfeit, why won't they work with my DAC? A cheap dollar store USB cable works but both these don't. I had the same problem using both these cables when running to a Peachtree USB SPDIF converter and an AudioEngine D1 DAC. They do work when I used them to hook up my printer, they just don't work with DAC's. Doesn't make sense both of the at the same time?

 

If any or both are counterfeit I don't mind sending them back and losing what I paid. I don't want counterfeit products in my house.

[mansr]

Now assuming they are both not counterfeit, why won't they work with my DAC? A cheap dollar store USB cable works but both these don't.

 

Boutique cables are sometimes (deliberately) not to spec. Could be the case with these.

[PopPop]

I purchased an AQ Cinnamon cable directly from AQ about six years ago. It had the smooth plastic jacket. When it failed recently I sent it back to them and they replaced it with a new cable that had the braided cover. It's quite possible that the difference you are seeing between stores is simply the age of their stock.

[johndoe21ro]

Dude..chill...and please read..go to the AQ webpage..check their link about counterfeits..read the terms:

 

Terms & Conditions

 

 

Any cable found to be an authentic AudioQuest cable will be returned to you at no cost.

 

 

Any cable found (or determined) by AudioQuest to be counterfeit will be destroyed at the authentication center. You will not be compensated in any way for a destroyed counterfeit cable.

 

You do whatever you want to do with them, I just suggested not taking the risk. But then again...

 

Don't 'dude' me! My solution was the reasonable one! I'm an old AQ user and I know very well their terms although I never had the 'luck' to own counterfeit cables. If he doesn't take this risk we will the next time we buy one! It's common sense!

 

P.S. As far as I know AQ respects the USB impedance spec. I've always been happy with my Coffee and the two Diamonds I own!

[sailor2005]

Don't 'dude' me! My solution was the reasonable one! I'm an old AQ user and I know very well their terms although I never had the 'luck' to own counterfeit cables. If he doesn't take this risk we will the next time we buy one! It's common sense!

 

P.S. As far as I know AQ respects the USB impedance spec. I've always been happy with my Coffee and the two Diamonds I own!

 

 

Your solution? There were none, just questions. And yes... it's always "common sense" if somebody else takes the risk.. I guess that's why they use "cannon fodder" in war

 

If somebody really needs to have a certain brand of cable, and not risk buying a counterfeit, he/she needs to go to the particular brand's webpage and find out about authorized dealers. As simple as that. If the cable does not work, it can be either exchanged or returned, and you don't have to worry about counterfeits. Oh..that is what? common sense!!

Viva el sentido comun!!!!

[wwaldmanfan]

I've never been a fan of Audioquest products, but it could just be that the plugs are loose, and not making proper contact with your DAC. Not much you can really do, except get a refund, and buy a different cable.

You don't need to spend more than $50 for a good USB cable. Supra, Kimber Kable, Wireworld, or Pangea (Audio Advisor's house brand) are all decent products.

[JW Audio]

If your going to buy AQ cables... Always make sure you buy them from a authorized dealer. The list is on the AQ website.

[Blake]

Audioquest is probably one of the most counterfeited cable brands. Most Siltech cables for sale online are fake as well.

 

I unwittingly purchased an expensive AQ cable many years ago (it stopped working after a month) and I learned my lesson. Caveat Emptor, especially for AQ cables. Some of the fakes are really accurate looking.

 

@sailor2005: I understand most of your points and no arguing from me on those, but I'm not sure I follow your concern about the cable being destroyed by AQ. If it is a fake then the cable is pretty much worthless as it is probably worse spec'd than a throw away cable. It should be taken off the market and destroyed. If returned to the owner, then that cable could be resold down the line and more people are ripped off.

 

Such a counterfeit policy is not unique to AQ.

[Blakcloud]

If your going to buy AQ cables... Always make sure you buy them from a authorized dealer. The list is on the AQ website.

Yes, I did buy them from authorized dealers. I was worried that I had gotten stock that was returned by another customer that may have not be legitimate. As I said both cables are structured differently on the outside sheaths which made me think something wasn't right. They are both over two years old so I could never get them to work, so they were put in the box. Saw the AQ disclaimer about counterfeit and with my different sheaths, both not working I would send them back and double check. If they are real I want them to check why they don't work. No harm no foul. If they are real, I don't have much faith in this particular model of cable.

 

I have started the authorization process with AQ by filling out the form, they responded with we will get back to you and that was a few days ago. Hopefully soon. Both these cables are useless to me at this point even if they are not counterfeit.

 

Again thanks for everyone's expertise and advise, I really appreciate that people take the time to help.

[PopPop]

AudioQuest will do right by you.

[Panelhead]

I have several FireWire dacs. Two of them do not require buss power. Used to use a 4x6 pin adapter to isolate power. Later I started opening up the jacket and snipping the power wire close to the computer.

I purchased one AQ FireWire cable. It is the Forest. The cheapest one I could find.

The internal construction materials are very low grade. The 5.00 -10.00 Pearstone cables are made to a much higher standard. Hacked open some 100.00+ cables in the quest for better perform.

The wire gauge, shielding, and geometry used do not always indicate the performance of a cable. But should align with price. The lab/military grade cables may not have worked better sonically. The price was in the AQ Forest range and the construction quality much higher.

Try a Pearstone USB, I bet they are good.

[17629]

Boutique cables are sometimes (deliberately) not to spec. Could be the case with these.

 

 

I don't recall ever seeing a usb cable that was not made to usb specs. Can you point one out?

[Panelhead]

I don't recall ever seeing a usb cable that was not made to usb specs. Can you point one out?

 

The construction of the Mapleshade cable is widely spaced signal conductors. Not the tight twisted pair with shield from the specification.

Never used one to evaluate. The people who have seem to praise the sonics.

I saw a cheap flat USB cable that had parallel conductors. Not twisted pair. Did not use a USB Dac then. Worked fine to connect a disc drive to the Mini.

[johndoe21ro]

The construction of the Mapleshade cable is widely spaced signal conductors. Not the tight twisted pair with shield from the specification.

Never used one to evaluate. The people who have seem to praise the sonics.

I saw a cheap flat USB cable that had parallel conductors. Not twisted pair. Did not use a USB Dac then. Worked fine to connect a disc drive to the Mini.

 

As far as I know this has nothing to do with the USB spec.

USB.org - USB 2.0 Documents

[The Computer Audiophile]

I don't recall ever seeing a usb cable that was not made to usb specs. Can you point one out?

I have a Kimber Select USB cable that can't play high resolution without dropouts. Based on my conversations with Kimber, I don't believe this cable is built to USB specs.