Wanted: quality usb audio cable

[Lawrence001]

Don't know much about these, but does anyone have a usb cable they want to sell that would be an upgrade from the grey computer cable I have now. I think it's the standard type, a rectangular shape at one end like what goes in a pc and a more square shape at the other for the dac, no idea what these connectors are called.

I assume this would improve the sound from what people say.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[Getgaff]

What length are you after? From your description, you’ll be needing a USB A to USB B cable.

[vintagesteve]

Sounds to me that you after a USB 'A' to USB 'B' cable. Trouble is, there's type '2' and '3' variants in both of those. Does the image attached help at all? Hmm, I see that the image is very small and just 17kb in size. It wasn't like that before I uploaded it, so unfortunately the forum has made it miniscule (thumbnail size), not me. Perhaps easier to take a look at this web page: http://www.l-com.com/content/USB-Tutorial.html

[Lawrence001]

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?

[Getgaff]

I have available:

Chord USB Silver Plus cable (0.75m) for £29 posted
Lavricables Reference Silver USB cable (0.3m) for £29 posted
http://www.lavricables.com/cables/reference-silver-usb-a-b-interconnect-cable/

[WAD62]

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?
IMHO the most important aspect of USB audio SQ is to introduce some form of isolation between the source streamer/computer and the DAC, there are various options available depending on budget...

[brian2957]

These are very good Lawrence https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Furutech-ADL-Formula-2-USB-cable-1-2m-USB-A-USB-B-Silver-OFC-Gold-plugs/173143279264?hash=item285024c6a0:g:KNAAAOSwU4JZjEi p
These are a step up in performance ( and price ) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Furutech-GT-2-Audiophile-USB-A-to-B-Cable-0-6m/291799908445?epid=1837162324&hash=item43f0a1405d:g:1FoAAOSwzJ5Xas4L
I also like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chord-C-USB-type-A-to-type-B-digital-USB-Interconnect-Cable-0-75-metre-DECO/322467760286?hash=item4b1493889e:g:YfIAAOSwMmBVl9Q P

[Getgaff]

IMHO the most important aspect of USB audio SQ is to introduce some form of isolation between the source streamer/computer and the DAC, there are various options available depending on budget...

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).

[WAD62]

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).

I think we have a similar theory, DAC isolation is king!!!

I was using a purifier 2/ USB Power/gemini combo, I've now replaced the purifier2 and USB power with the Micro iUSB 3.0...the purifier2 and USB power are destined for my office setup...

A purifier 2 would be a good starting point...

[bumpy]

IMHO the most important aspect of USB audio SQ is to introduce some form of isolation between the source streamer/computer and the DAC, there are various options available depending on budget...

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

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

[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/accessory-spdif-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-CROMO-Type-Cable/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-ADL-Formula-2-USB-cable-1-2m-USB-A-USB-B-Silver-OFC-Gold-plugs/173143279264?hash=item285024c6a0:g:KNAAAOSwU4JZjEi p
These are a step up in performance ( and price ) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Furutech-GT-2-Audiophile-USB-A-to-B-Cable-0-6m/291799908445?epid=1837162324&hash=item43f0a1405d:g:1FoAAOSwzJ5Xas4L
I also like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chord-C-USB-type-A-to-type-B-digital-USB-Interconnect-Cable-0-75-metre-DECO/322467760286?hash=item4b1493889e:g:YfIAAOSwMmBVl9Q P

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?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 172919260288

[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-CROMO-Type-Cable/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?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 172919260288

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 :)

[Lawrence001]

I might try one of these myself Lawrence :)

I'd better get one quick before they're all gone :)

[webby60]

I've recently upgraded from Audioquest Pearl to the Graham Slee Lautus USB cable.
For a relatively modest outlay the difference is staggering!

[Yomanze]

I've recently upgraded from Audioquest Pearl to the Graham Slee Lautus USB cable.
For a relatively modest outlay the difference is staggering!

If it is indeed a staggering change, get a mate around to swap them blind. It’s the subtle changes that are difficult to spot blind.

[webby60]

If it is indeed a staggering change, get a mate around to swap them blind. It’s the subtle changes that are difficult to spot blind.

Why would I want to do that?

[VanDerGraaf]

Why would I want to do that?

It's good to challenge our possible expectation bias. I usually get my mate round when I make any changes in my system and ask him first what he thinks.

Have to say I'd love to try one of these more high end USB cables just to see what I would make of it...

[Edward]

In the past I had a Wireworld USB cable and currently use a Supra USB cable. Both very good well built cables with lots of detail etc. (mislaid the Wireworld cable).

One of the USPs of the Supra cables is the RF shielding.

But honestly bog-standard but well built cables (such as from Amazon basics) gets you 97.345% there. (in my opinion and percentage scientifically plucked out of thin air! :lol:).

[wee tee cee]

Scottish mafia did a usb bake off a few years past.

I had been using belkin pros/amazon then moved onto a furatech formula 2.

The GT2 was a step up again...but outwith my budget.

The best usb ive used was built by one of the members but a pita to put together.

I just received the Lavri cable today-a noticeable improvement over the furatech.

Trust you ears-any properly specked cable will do the business....im just looking for the last percentiles.

Many thanks Gareth.

[webby60]

VanDerGraaf

Each to their own I guess.
Personally I'd rather trust my own ears as they're the ones that are listening to and enjoying the music.
The cable in question is on loan so I've absolutely no need to convince myself of any improvement as, for the moment, it's cost me nothing.
Should you wish to also try this cable all you need to do is become a member of the Graham Slee forum and you will see that they have a loan system
which will cost you no more than postage both ways.
At least you and I could then discuss the merits of this cable on an equal footing.

[Lawrence001]

I thought I'd try this Chord, it seems to be well liked

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 142691445038