Anyone tried a DIY USB cable?

thsmith

The USB connectors I used are from Double Helix and I had to buy 3 since they have a $30 min order.

Pepster sent me some cable for free and sterred me to a guy on ebay that is really inexpensive.

The VH Audio cable is a little pricey but still, $40 tops for everything.

I used ground and 2 data leads.

easy stuff to solder, used cardes silver solder.

Systems

EndersShadow wrote: »

I think its USB Roadshow time :razz:.

I actually would be interested in knowing what parts you used, etc. My headphone rig needs a good USB cable and it doesnt need to power anything, just send the data.... I was looking at the Audioquest Carbon at some point, but if its cheap enough I can do something now...

However methinks PEPSTER needs to add USB and LOD cables to his repertoire.

You need to buy ya a solder station Dan!

Although Tracy has inspired me to build one with this thread (which is damn cool I might add), I just never really considered the two cables you mention above an "audiophile" connection.

I know people need them, and admire the people trying different ones, ect, ect.
But by pure design, connectors available, ect, just ain't my "thang".

I will say, there is ZERO doubt in my mind you can make one with good components that are much better than the "famous" massed produced stuff (and overly priced) that are on the market today.

thsmith

USB Cable number 2. Using 24g solid silver wire from VH Audio. The blue wire is also solid silver but lower priced I got off ebay. Here is what VH Audio has to say about their wire.

VH Audio's UniCrystal™ OCC (Ohno Continuous Cast) Silver wire is meticulously drawn through special dies, dead soft annealed in an inert nitrogen atmosphere, and follows special handling protocols to minimize any surface marring, before the insulation process begins. Our unique AirLok™ insulation is a proprietary form of foamed/cellular Fluoropolymer that achieves a dielectric constant of less than 1.45! By comparison, the dielectric constant of solid Teflon? Fluoropolymers is 2.1-2.2, and a perfect vacuum is 1.0. The AirLok™ insulation method is very difficult to implement, and has taken several years to perfect. May be stripped by simply using your fingernails- so no nicking of the conductor with a wire stripper! All UniCrystal™ wire is only available at VH Audio.

Perfect for your signal wiring projects- chassis signal wire, interconnects, or even speaker crossover wire. The VH Audio UniCrystal™ OCC silver wire uses a SINGLE solid core (no stranding). AirLok™ and solid FEP insulation is rated to 600VDC.


The blue wire is teflon coated and is being used for ground. Its in the DAC burning in.