Wanted: quality usb audio cable

[WAD62]

Where would this isolation step go in the following set up?

Computer Source with USB output feeding USB to SPDiff converter feeding DAC.

With an spdif converter in the setup you'd probably be better off with one of these, just goes in front of the DAC spdif...

https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view...dif-ipurifier/

...FYI I've no experience of this product

[Yomanze]

Where would this isolation step go in the following set up?

Computer Source with USB output feeding USB to SPDiff converter feeding DAC.

The USB to SPDIF converter itself should provide the isolation, no need to add another box (my Halide Bridge converter uses an output transformer). in fact, chances are that your SPDIF input uses a transformer anyway...

Isolators are only really 'needed' if the USB front end, or SPDIF input, is not galvanically isolated.

[Yomanze]

Looking at the above I think I need a male a to male b usb 2.0. I want to keep lengths to a minimum so for now I would want ideally 0.75m but could live with 0.5-1m. What are the best value "audiophile" level models, I've seen a few QEDs for sale on the forums before?

Here you go: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-0-5m-...dp/B007PKPV7A/

What you are looking for is a properly specified cable, which this cable is. I guarantee there'll be 'audiophile' cables out there that don't meet the proper specification for USB 2.0.

[Lawrence001]

These are very good Lawrence https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Furutech-...AAAOSwU4JZjEip
These are a step up in performance ( and price ) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Furutech-...oAAOSwzJ5Xas4L
I also like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chord-C-U...IAAOSwMmBVl9QP

Thanks Brian, being a cheapskate and with good past experience with Chinese Sennheiser cables, I'm tempted by this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F172919260288

[Lawrence001]

That’s sound advice and I had good results using a iFi iPurifier2, which as it so happens, I also have available for £60 posted (very recently upgraded to a iFi Nano iUSB 3.0).

Thanks I'll bear that in mind but at the moment I want to seer if a cable upgrade will lead to an improvement, plus I'm looking at usb to spdif converters which I'm hoping will achieve the same thing.

[Lawrence001]

Here you go: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-0-5m-...dp/B007PKPV7A/

What you are looking for is a properly specified cable, which this cable is. I guarantee there'll be 'audiophile' cables out there that don't meet the proper specification for USB 2.0.

I'll think about this, I was wondering that, my current cable is probably at least 10 years old and probably came with a printer or something so may not be 2.0 compliant which might explain why music sounds like mp3 quality at the moment. I'm worried the Chinese diy cable above may not be 2.0.

[brian2957]

That's Brian, being a cheapskate and with good past experience with Chinese Sennheiser cables, I'm tempted by this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F172919260288

I might try one of these myself Lawrence

[struth]

Amazons own brand. That lights up is good cable

[WAD62]

Thanks I'll bear that in mind but at the moment I want to seer if a cable upgrade will lead to an improvement, plus I'm looking at usb to spdif converters which I'm hoping will achieve the same thing.

Fair point...I have a pi with a hifiberry digi+ pro board, which has isolation on the SPDIF output, a noticeable improvement in SQ...

[bumpy]

The USB to SPDIF converter itself should provide the isolation, no need to add another box (my Halide Bridge converter uses an output transformer). in fact, chances are that your SPDIF input uses a transformer anyway...

Isolators are only really 'needed' if the USB front end, or SPDIF input, is not galvanically isolated.

Thanks Neil