POLL: What USB cable are you using?

[Talos2000]

I'm with wookie on this.

 

"... so many of us who wanted to believe otherwise left the demo with jaws dropped ..."

 

I experienced something similar when I auditioned (and bought) my Nordost Blue Heaven USB cable. There wasn't anybody in the room who expected to hear any difference. We had just spent some quality time auditioning their interconnect cables, and were really very skeptical about the USB demo. It turned out that the USB cable made by far and away the biggest difference of the day. Various expletives began issuing throughout the room within a few seconds of the music playing. People left with their heads shaking. Mine included.

 

I also strongly believe that the effect of the USB cable will be strongly system dependent. Every system will tend to reject whatever comes down the USB cable that isn't supposed to be there, to a greater or lesser degree.

 

[wookie]

Thanks for your thoughts. Many who take the contrary position seem to grumble merely for sake of grumbling. Yet there are some credible contributors who have seriously tried recabling their own system, only to find little to no change. So I can't help but think that system dependance is indeed a huge factor. If you lived around the corner, I would certainly love to try your Nordost Blue Heaven, and I wish there was a local dealer to borrow from.

 

You will be interested to know that the demo I attended used Classe electronics and B&W 802 Diamond speakers, which I notice are what you have chosen!

 

Take Care!

 

[Talos2000]

"... If you lived around the corner ..."

I'm in (well, near) Montreal.

 

[k1n0n3]

I have been using the AudioQuest Carbon for a couple of weeks now, felt it was a significant step up from the Cinnamon. Am now looking to upgrade to the coffee. Also ordered a WireWorld Starlight (red) to demo as well as the new Oyaide Neo+ class S.

I am still awaiting the WireWorld, however the Oyaide seemed like a step down from the carbon, in terms of imaging, separation and soundstage. All I can say at the moment is that the carbon seems more 3D. With that said, it is straight out of the box for the Oyaide, and I don't think I will have it around to compare after burn in (however long that would require), as the build quality/presentation seems inferior to the carbon, while almost at the same price point.

 

[christopher3393]

Started with Belkin cable, then Audioquest Forest. Noticed a little improvement, but hard to describe. Upgraded to AQ Carbon. Again, a small improvement, I think. Will be trying the Coffe cable soon. All 1.5 meters.

 

[Masis]

StraightWire USB Link

Neo d+USB Class S Created by Oyiade

 

[wookie]

Thanks. How were you able to "demo" this cable. I can't find anyone to allow me the privilege.

David

 

[Julf]

And this is why...

 

[SoundQcar]

Acoustic Revive 1.0PL

 

[k1n0n3]

The term demo was loosely used to describe: purchase from Amazon, return if not liked.

 

[k1n0n3]

Not sure what you were trying to accomplish with your link ?

 

[sjsanford]

...after adding a V-LINK to my chain over Christmas, last week I chucked my el-cheapo (and long) USB printer cable and replaced it with a 1m WireWorld Ultraviolet. Significant improvement.

 

So now I'm playing with the link between the V-LINK and V-DAC (auditioning coax vs. optical -- am leaning toward optical) but that's another kettle of fish.

 

Steve

 

[Glennboy]

Kimber 0.5 mtr

It was 50 quid

I hear a difference and just like bikemig it looks much better than the stock cable so must be worth it!!??

 

[Talos2000]

So somebody else can't hear or measure any difference? Great! Problem solved! Now you don't have to waste your money.

 

In fact, if you dig around deep enough in this site you'll find that a whole bunch of stuff makes no difference at all.

 

Not a jot.

 

Really.

 

 

 

[Julf]

"Not sure what you were trying to accomplish with your link?"

 

Basically just explain my choice of USB cable. Despite being able to hear differences in analog components in my systems, I haven't been able to hear any differences between USB cables, and I haven't seen any objective, verifiable measurements showing any real differences between cables, wile there are lots of tests showing no effect at all.

 

That is of course my own, personal and subjective choice. If someone can enjoy their music more by having a fancy-looking, expensive cable, and they can afford it, then great, that works for them. But for beginners entering the complex world of computer audio (with a mix of both analog and digital technology), it is important to see that there are various viewpoints, with at least some of us trying to find objective answers.

 

[k1n0n3]

Thank you for clarifying. However, reading over that thread again, especially the OP, I still do not understand what has been accomplished, as the chain is basically a D/A to A/D and trying to measure a test file, not music, as essentially everyone here that has heard a difference has done so using music that they are familiar with on their respective systems, while swapping out for a better (not necessarily more expensive) USB cable.

 

Not trying to argue or prove anything, but over in the linked thread, I did not see you mention any of the popular cables (between $50-200), have you actually tried any of them yourself ? And as for beginners, wouldn't it be easier to try out some of the cheaper mentioned cables here, and hear for themselves if it makes an audible difference vs. going through pages and pages of tests, heated debates and arguments? As I believe it would be easier to dismiss all theories by discovering: "hey this $$ cable makes no difference what so ever, I will return it" or: "hey it does make a difference, let me look into others".

 

I myself started with a (cheapo) $30 4% silver Pangea Audio cable going into an EMU 0404 USB vs a very thick quality looking no name cable with ferrites on both ends, and that was enough proof for my own ears.

 

 

 

[Julf]

"I still do not understand what has been accomplished, as the chain is basically a D/A to A/D and trying to measure a test file, not music"

 

There is a place for listening tests, and there is a place for objective measurements, just like you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, but also want to check out things like horsepower, top speed, acceleration, brake distances, safety ratings and fuel economy figures.

 

One of the interesting comments in that thread is the recent one from JR_Audio, where he states that he has come across some "high end" cables that are so bad that they actually drop data.

 

I guess the thing we both agree on is the importance of making sure you can return an expensive cable if you don't hear a difference. I would add to that the usual warning about expectations guiding perceptions - just knowing that you replaced your $2 generic cable with a $200 "high end" cable might predispose you to thinking the expensive one sounds better. But again, who cares if it actually sounds better - if you think it does, then it probably was a good investment.

 

 

[Guest Boris75]

I am using a Wireworld Ultraviolet USB Type A to Type B 3m

 

[mwheelerk]

 

 

I use Cardas Clear USB.

 

[nemick]

I sure hope this thread can stick to the original point rather than being transformed into another lengthy, and sometimes hostile, debate on whether a USB cable makes a difference or can be heard.

 

[Mark Powell]

Mine is a 5 dollar generic one.

 

But so far we are short about 220,000 answers. So it's not representative.

 

[REShaman]

@nemick

Well stated.

Best,

Richard

 

[christopher3393]

Is there another thread dedicated to this debate? If it is a civil debate, I think it is important. I agree that it does not belong here, but maybe this would be less likely to happen if the debate comments could simply be directed or moved to another thread?

 

[nemick]

There is another thread which explores the question of whether a USB cable can make a difference.

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Can-changing-my-USB-cable-Improve-sound-Audiolab-8200CD

 

[Julf]

There is also the shorter (and perhaps more focused) USB link and DA converters thread.