new USB cable shuts down the computer

Has anyone had this issue? I have several ways to play digital files, but one system is giving me trouble today. I am using a Macbook Pro tethered to a Berkeley Audio Alpha USB interface...the Alpha is connected to a Burson HD160 DAC/Amp. Up until today, I used an Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable. Today I came home with a Cardas Clear USB cable and replaced the Audioquest (which is going to my office).
Here's the issue: The Cardas cable shut down the laptop!! It would not work. I tried several plug in sequences, but none worked. The Audioquest worked fine, so I decided I had a "bad cable" and went back to the shop for a replacement.
I just got the new Cardas cable in place....and.....POP. It shuts the computer down again!!!
A search online has been unproductive. Can anyone shed some light on this??? It's driving me crazy to not know what the reason might be...