USB cables , what are you guys using with your DAC's?

mantis
mantis Posts: 17,194
edited January 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm eagerly waiting on Cardas and Audioquest to show up at our store. I've been dyeing to try out better quality USB cables. I have a good quality 2.0 high speed USB cable that is doing it's job very well as I'm super impressed with my overall sound quality but I'm curious if I can squeak out any more with a better built higher quality cable.
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
Post edited by mantis on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited January 2013
    I will be counting the days to hear your bm D2 vs the sc68 with HQ usb cables comparison when you get round to it :smile:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2013
    My experience using $30 to $250 USB cables is fairly subtle but do exist.

    This weekend I will be testing my Wireworld starlight againest some DIY cables I made this week that each have 50 hours on.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2013
    To my utter surprise, going from cheapie to Wireworld UV (~50 bucks) made a remarkable difference in my office rig. Improved dynamics and soundstage; and music just seemed more liquid & organic. I later tried AQ Forest, which seemed like going back to the cheapie (although I never A-B'd it), and AQ Carbon, which seemed very similar to the WW UV (but at 2x or 3x the UV price). I'm guessing my office rig is not the best to reveal the finer qualities of the Carbon which seems to be very highly regarded.

    When the time came to buy a usb mini for ripping vinyl, ADC-to-PC, I bought another UV. I'd love to test the Starlight though.

    Craig
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2013
    mantis wrote: »
    I'm eagerly waiting on Cardas and Audioquest to show up at our store. I've been dyeing to try out better quality USB cables. I have a good quality 2.0 high speed USB cable that is doing it's job very well as I'm super impressed with my overall sound quality but I'm curious if I can squeak out any more with a better built higher quality cable.

    I don't know what USB cable you used at my place but the hi-rez music from your Mac puter was astounding. Don't know if it'll get much better than that.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited January 2013
    I am currently using an Oyaide Class "A" USB that I picked up a few weeks ago. Really tightens up the imaging and is an improvement over what I have tried before. A good performer for the $$$
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited January 2013
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I don't know what USB cable you used at my place but the hi-rez music from your Mac puter was astounding. Don't know if it'll get much better than that.
    It was just a Belkin 6ft 2.0 USB A/B cable. Nothing special , its regular computer grade. Yes it sounds amazing already but what if......
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited January 2013
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    I will be counting the days to hear your bm D2 vs the sc68 with HQ usb cables comparison when you get round to it :smile:
    I'm hoping it comes soon , I'm gonna do a shootout with the cambridge Dac Magic Plus , D2 and the Elite's built in. I'm also hoping the USB cables get here soon so I can demo everything at once.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter