When is USB NOT USB?

[Clive197]

Having read numerous articles about USB cables I’m a little confused. It appears that unless a USB cable has the 3 prong symbol on it, the cable does not comply to the USB 2.0 specification.

As most USB cables for us Audiophiles do not have the symbol what does this mean to us, if anything.

e.g. most Audioquest, Furutech, Nordost etc. do and most Atlas, Chord and Tellurium Q cables don’t.

Is this an issue we should concern ourselves about?

[ReggieB]

Would the USB specification be of help: https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-20-specification

[Clive197]

No, not really. My point is that many makers don’t seem to be in spec., so are they being cheeky saying they make and sell USB cables when they don’t comply. If the cable does not have the correct impedance, that will effect SQ.

[Macca]

Just because they don't put the little symbol on them doesn't mean they are not in spec. Same with the 'CE' symbol, just because something doesn't have it doesn't mean that it doesn't comply.

Plus I don't see what is stopping anyone from putting the USB symbol on a non-compliant cable. These things aren't policed in any effective way.

The solution would seem to be to buy one that has been tested and is known to comply, regardless of whether it has the symbol or not. I'll bet a lot of the 'audiophile' offerings are just tat from China dressed up and sold for a ten times mark-up. Probably never been tested to see what impedance they have,

[Filterlab]

Is this an issue we should concern ourselves about?

No. If the cable works then all is good, and chances that the manufacturers named would produce a cable that doesn’t meet spec is highly unlikely.