Suggestions for Y Split USB Cables (perhaps newest IFI Gemni 3.0 ?)

[agladstone]

Hi, I am looking for any possible suggestions/ user reviews, etc for a Y Split USB Cable (one USB B going to two USB A). Anyone have any experience yet with the brand new IFI Gemni USB 3.0 Y split USB Cable? 

I am thinking about buying one to use with my IFI Micro iUSB 3.0, bit was hoping to see some reviews or opinions from CA Members first if possible? 

I have tried the Pangea Preimer Y Split USB cable, and for the price ($99-$150), it really wasn’t too bad, however I am looking for “more”. 

I also had Ghent (cable maker in Hong King) make me a custom Y split USB Cable, made from Silver plated copper, Teflon insulated, good copper braiding and a JSSG sheild (John Swenson technique attaching an external wire from one end of the copper braiding to the other, but not connected to the connectors). - The Custom Ghent cable had a bit of Harshness in my system and did not sound as good as the Pangea Y Split USB cable. Neither of these cables sounded as good as my Reference USB cables (to date), which are the Cardas Highspeed 2.0 USB Cables. (These are a split design (separated shielded cable for power and data), yet the USB A and USB B connectors both join at each end.

Since I have the IFI Micro iUSB 3.0 reclocker, I want to use a Y split USB cable with separate USB A connectors (1 for power / 1 for data). 

Ifi has just released a brand new version of their Gemni cable (Gemni USB 3.0), so I am tempted to buy it. However, overall, I’ve notived not much mention of the original Gemni USB cable within Audiophile Reveiws, Blogs, Magazines, etc, so I’m a little unsure about how they “stack up” vs some more commonly praised USB Cables. The availability of USB Cables that come in a Y split design is pretty slim. 

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!! 

[agladstone]

3 hours ago, bogi said:

 

You can buy a split adaptor cable like on the picture and plug some USB cable of your choice into it.

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/various-adapters/usb-b-adapter-cable-for-external-usb-a-power-supply-p-8389.html

This looks cool! Does anyone make terminated Audiophile usb cables like the one pictured with this adapter ? I will follow link, perhaps that is what this link is for!) 

[agladstone]

12 hours ago, Spacehound said:

I've got five DACS, purchased over a five year period including a 'mobile' one  and from 'budget' to fairly expensive and none of them have needed USB power.  And I did not check for this before buying them.

 

So in general a Y leaded USB cable  is pointless.

Unfortunately, my DAC (Mytek Brooklyn), requires the 5V and Ground to make the handshake  

[agladstone]

This looks like a great product! I may look into having one shipped to me in the USA (this store is in France), unless I could find someone selling this in the States ? 

I could probably also have one custom made for me in Hong Kong by Ghent Audio. 

[agladstone]

On 2/5/2018 at 5:29 AM, seeteeyou said:

This one was reviewed a few years ago

 

https://darko.audio/2012/07/elijah-audio-isolaate-bl-usb-cable-and-bpm-battery-module/

 

 

They're located in Australia and here are some reviews

 

http://www.elijahaudio.com/reviews.html

 

A similar one could also be found below

 

http://www.elijahaudio.com/products.html

 

 

Some impressions are available as follows

 

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/elijah-audio-konvertible-lite-usb-cable.807827/

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/elijah-audio-konvertible-lite-impression-thread.798168/

https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/100659-elijah-audio-konvertible-lite-usb-cable/

http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/elijah-audio-konvertible-lite-usb-for-chord-hugo

 

Here's something else from France if you're still looking for better ones

 

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1194321693977155&id=390169444392388

 

They don't seem to have any retailers in US and you might have send them an e-mail to find out how to get one

 

http://www.viardaudiodesign.com/en/contact.html

 

So far there are only a few reviews in Chinese

 

http://www.hiendy.com/hififorum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=101482

http://www.hiendy.com/hififorum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=101600

http://designwsound.com/dwsblog/2017/08/viard-platinum-hd-usb-audioart/

 

BTW, you could also get in touch with Teradak and see if they're able to ship this cable to US

 

http://www.teradak.com/about/3.html

 

 

They do sell that on their Chinese site so most likely it's still available

 

http://www.hifiss.com/ShowProducts.asp?id=164

 

Besides, here's another USB 3.0 version

 

http://www.hifiss.com/ShowProducts.asp?id=222

 

 

Of course JSSG ones from Ghent should work even better, hopefully they're willing to modify the cable for you

 

https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/u01(jssg).html

Thanks!! All very helpful! I did order the new IFI Gemni 3.0, it should be arriving today, so I will give it some listening tests! I have a 60 day return period (music direct), so that will be helpful! I did have a JSSG one from Ghent, I actually sold it to a friend of mine, it was okay but not ideal synergy in my system. I may give the Teradak or Elijah a try too ! 

[agladstone]

On 2/5/2018 at 8:56 PM, gmgraves said:

I had a pair of the iFi "Gemini" split cables. I could never get them to work with the iFI iUSB and the iFI iLink. I finally just ran a single cable. USB output of computer > iUSB > iLink > SPDIF > DAC. No trouble with that arrangement but splitting the USB power out from the USB signal and feeding the iLink with separate USB power and signal, I could never get to work. 

I wonder why you could not get it to work? I have the IFI Micro iUSB 3.0 and I have had 3/4 of these Y Split USB cables already and all have worked fine with my DAC ? 

[agladstone]

On 2/8/2018 at 5:47 PM, Blake said:

I am a fan of iFi, but I thought the original Gemini was literally the worst usb cable I've ever owned and that was even after extensive break in. I preferred throw away usb cables to the original Gemini.  Very hard sounding and grating. It gave me a headache.  Perhaps they have improved it though.

 

As much as I hate to promote their products, for split cables I really like my Lightspeed 10G and 2G.  The King Rex uArt split cable was also good.  Too bad TotalDac or Curious don't make a split version. They are my favorites to date.  I'd like to try Sablon Audio usb as well.  Sorry, getting off topic now.....

So after 1 week of almost continuous burn in on the new Genmi 3.0 Y Split USB cable,,, I’ve decided to return it!! It does not sound very good in my system! It seems to roll off the treble a bit and bloat the low end and take away some of the air, separation and details I had when using two Cardas Highspeed 2.0 USB cables (one in to IFI Micro iUSB 3.0 from Aurender music server and a second out from

Micro iUSB 3.0). 

I ended up deciding to have Cardas build

me a custom made Y split Highspeed 2.0 USB cable. I should have it in about 10 days