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Best budget USB

Apologies, I know this has been asked before, and perhaps this question should be on the Cables forum.  However, I thought I'd refresh the question, as some of the previous instances are quite old, and it has struck me that the digital thread generally has a better insight into USB cables.

I've bought a 2nd-hand Innuos Phoenix USB to fit between my Zenith Mk3 and Hegel H390.  I also have an FTA Sinope, which I intend to fit between Phoenix and Hegel.

Unfortunately, the Phoenix didn't turn up with the original USB.  And assuming the USB before the Phoenix is hugely less significant than the USB after, and given I'm now WAYYY over budget I'm looking for something less extravagant than the Sinope.

In the UK, the go-to outlet for choice is Futureshop, and if I limit myself to approx £100 ($120),the selection is:

  • Audioquest Pearl, Forest & Cinnamon
  • Wireworld Chroma 8, Starlight 8
  • Supra
  • Furutech Formula 2
  • Atlas Element SC
  • Chord C-USB

Any preferences?

Thanks,

Mark

128x128lollipopguild
lollipopguild's avatar
lollipopguild OP
133 posts
 

I decided to give the new Supra Excalibur a go. I already have their Ethernet cable and like it very much. Plus, it'll be here tomorrow, unlike the Lavris which would be quite a wait. 

I'll try it before and after the Phoenix. I would imagine the better cable (the FTA Sinope) should go after the Phoenix. Though one review (audiobacon?) claims the better should go before, which seems completely counterintuitive to me.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,535 posts
 

@lollipopguild 

In a ideal world, you should be using same USB cable before and after Phoenix USB. But for Supra should do just fine! 

barts's avatar
barts
717 posts
 

@soix  Yes, I will to post, the OP says "I decided to give the new Supra Excalibur a go. I already have their Ethernet cable and like it very much. Plus, it'll be here tomorrow, unlike the Lavris which would be quite a wait."  Was that your experience?

@lalitk I read the thread that you had mentioned and honestly thought it was bit "off the rails"!  Just my opinion and we know how that goes...LOL

Regards,

barts 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,535 posts
 

@barts

Well, you read my post in that thread. Thought you should know before making a purchase…LOL!

soix
9,538 posts
 

@barts All my Lavris took about two weeks, and they were all bought in late 2021 so not sure if anything’s changed since then.  Looking back it was well worth the wait IME. 

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