USB Type A to Type C Cable Query

[Iain]

I am now the proud owner of a new Topping NX4 DSD DAC.

The big problem though, is I need a USB type A to type C cable to transfer data from my laptop to the DAC and most of the marketing fluff out there insist their cables are for charging use only.

Is there any USB cable available that will meet my requirement?

[mansr]

The NX4 seems to have a micro-B input. If your laptop has USB Type C ports, you can use a cable such as this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-USB-Type-C-Micro-B-Cable/dp/B01GGKYAIU

[Iain]

4 hours ago, Iain said:

I am now the proud owner of a new Topping NX4 DSD DAC.

The big problem though, is I need a USB type A to type C cable to transfer data from my laptop to the DAC and most of the marketing fluff out there insist their cables are for charging use only.

Is there any USB cable available that will meet my requirement?

On the surface, this appears to be better engineered than the current cable lot:

 

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/usb-cables-hubs/xduoo-xc-07-adapter-cable-angled-female-usb-a-to-angled-male-usb-c-85cm-p-13090.html

[mansr]

8 minutes ago, Iain said:

On the surface, this appears to be better engineered than the current cable lot:

 

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/usb-cables-hubs/xduoo-xc-07-adapter-cable-angled-female-usb-a-to-angled-male-usb-c-85cm-p-13090.html

Sure, you can use that together with a regular A to micro-B cable.

[jcbenten]

24 minutes ago, Iain said:

On the surface, this appears to be better engineered than the current cable lot:

 

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/usb-cables-hubs/xduoo-xc-07-adapter-cable-angled-female-usb-a-to-angled-male-usb-c-85cm-p-13090.html

Why would you think so?  I have a couple of the cables that Mansr recommended in the 6 inch version.  Works fine connecting my phone to the Topping (which I also have).  If you like the right angle: https://goo.gl/RG1x4m

 

Why are you using USB-C out of your PC? Some of the new Laptops have only USB C ports but I did not know if they are out yet.

[Iain]

1 hour ago, jcbenten said:

Why would you think so?  I have a couple of the cables that Mansr recommended in the 6 inch version.  Works fine connecting my phone to the Topping (which I also have).  If you like the right angle: https://goo.gl/RG1x4m

 

Why are you using USB-C out of your PC? Some of the new Laptops have only USB C ports but I did not know if they are out yet.

The USB C Type connector is to be connected to the DAC outout of the DX4 DAC and the USB A  Type connector of the cable to the USB A connector of my laptop, because it has only USB A type connectors. My player on the laptop is the latest iteration of Foobar2000.

 

Headphones are Sennheiser HD660S, connected to Topping DAC.

[jcbenten]

58 minutes ago, Iain said:

The USB C Type connector is to be connected to the DAC outout of the DX4 DAC and the USB A  Type connector of the cable to the USB A connector of my laptop, because it has only USB A type connectors. My player on the laptop is the latest iteration of Foobar2000.

 

Headphones are Sennheiser HD660S, connected to Topping DAC.

As Mansr mentioned in his first response, there is no Type C connection on the Topping...it has two Micro USB connections: one for power and one for Digital In.  I just verified on my unit.

[Iain]

2 hours ago, jcbenten said:

As Mansr mentioned in his first response, there is no Type C connection on the Topping...it has two Micro USB connections: one for power and one for Digital In.  I just verified on my unit.

Attached is NX4 user manual.

 

On page 7, it specifically shows USB Type C cable as part of kit.

NX4 DSD User's Manual_EN.pdf

 

One of the supplied USB cables is a very short length Type A to Type C cable which works fine. I need a longer version of that cable, is all.

[jcbenten]

24 minutes ago, Iain said:

Attached is NX4 user manual.

 

On page 7, it specifically shows USB Type C cable as part of kit.

NX4 DSD User's Manual_EN.pdf

Type C is common for phones, laptops and some DAPs.  That cable is to connect your device with a Type C port to the Topping which has a micro USB port. See page 6 of the manual.

 

Seems as though you could look on your NX4, and if like mine, no Type C connection.

[Iain]

21 minutes ago, jcbenten said:

Type C is common for phones, laptops and some DAPs.  That cable is to connect your device with a Type C port to the Topping which has a micro USB port.

 

Seems as though you could look on your NX4, and if like mine, no Type C connection.

I have no frame of reference to be able to do that as this is all new to me.

 

TBH, some cable descriptions simply say Micro cable, whilst others say Micro B cable. What's the difference?

 

WRT the included cable with A Type USB connector, what is the type of connector on the other end, called?

[lucretius]

23 minutes ago, Iain said:

On page 7, it specifically shows USB Type C cable as part of kit.

NX4 DSD User's Manual_EN.pdf

 

Page 7 shows 2 USB cables as part of the kit:

- micro USB to micro USB

- micro USB to USB Type C

 

Some Android phones use micro USB and some (especially the newer ones) use USB type C, hence 2 cables. The connection to the DAC is micro USB.

 

The simplest way to connect the DAC to the computer is to use 1 USB Type A to micro USB cable like mansr suggests.

 

If you insist on using 2 cables (but why?), then you could attach a USB Type C (female) to a USB type A cable to the existing micro USB to USB Type C cable as you insist. 

[lucretius]

20 minutes ago, Iain said:

I have no frame of reference to be able to do that as this is all new to me.

 

TBH, some cable descriptions simply say Micro cable, whilst others say Micro B cable. What's the difference?

 

WRT the included cable with A Type USB connector, what is the type of connector on the other end, called?

 

 

Type A goes to your computer. Type B goes to a printer and some DACs. Micro B and Type C go to a phone and other devices like portable DACs and cameras, etc. (although a few computers have type C ports).

 

Here's another image: