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USB Cable - data only?


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Hi,

Recently added a Calyx DAC with Kingrex PSU MKII.

Any suggestion for a high-quality USB cable which would forego the power wires?

I am preparing a shootout of the Calyx against the Young DAC, the QB-9 and the DAC202. Will keep you posted.

Thank!

Jacques

 

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(Prophecy) cable can get you there, with two source cable ends (signal and power). However, having a single USB without the power could be a problem as most DACs, regardless of bus-powered or not, need the power leg to at least handshake with the computer...then power can be unplugged (as is possible with the dual conduit cable). So, FYI...you may find a powerless USB cable will not get you connected up. YMMV.

 

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  • 3 months later...

will need the ground at least, and as ted notes, many (though not all) DACs need the +5VDC leg as well, at least to get going.

On any USB cable you can block the +5V contact for experimenting by carefully covering the contact in the connector with a thin piece of Kapton tape, no cutting or other mods needed, just an Xacto, a pair of tweezers, and some thin Kapton tape. Last time I bought Kapton tape I think I got it from:

 

kaptontape.com, but Google should find it in any case. Very handy stuff to have around, excellent dialetric strength, good adherence, and very, very heat resistant.

 

Google can get you the info as to which contact is which on the USB "A" plug.

 

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"powerless" USB cable, but make sure the ground is still there. I now have a PK90USB inhouse. It uses the SOtM USB card that has a power switch on it to cut the 5vDC on/off. With my Antelope Gold it works with the power off, BUT only after first establishing a handshake with it on. Not all USB DACS work this way....some require constant USB power to power up the USB receiver, some don't require anything.

 

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I have a PK90 and have tried USB Cables with the power and without to my DAC. The one with the power sounded better, although it was 5 times the cost.

 

Point is don't focus just on the design elements but rather the best things that sounds good for the money power or not.

 

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