Recommended USB Cables under $200


I’m researching various options for upgrading a stock USB cable. I have looked at the Audioquest Carbon, but I’d like to hear about other options before moving forward.

I tried to find a previous discussion on this topic but I just couldn’t find one. So please feel free to send a link for anything helpful.

Also, one other thing...Is there any reason to look at 3.0 vs 2.0 USB speeds for audio? I plan use this USB to connect a Bluesound Node to Pontus II DAC

Thank you!

128x128imaninatural

The Carbon is fine and a big step up from stock USB cables but I liked both the DH LABS Silver Sonic Mirage and the  Better Cables Blue Truth USB cable much more.  They sound quite different so which is best for you is probably system dependent.

Hi imaninatural : I also highly recommend the Viablue cables. I use a couple of their ethernet cables that bettered the Supra Cat 8 cables that I was using before.  https://tritonaudiocables.com/Digital-Cables_c_23.html  

Consider this one. You'll probably laugh when you see the price.  But scroll down and see how it's made.  You'll stop laughing, and perhaps insist that all makers show you exactly what's inside their expensive cable.

The more typical choice that I can recommend is a Shunyata Venom at about $150, but a friend loaned me a Phasure Lush USB cable.which costs 210 Euros or just above your price point. The improvement that I heard over the Shunyata Venom was substantial. 

It has both better resolution and pace but also with more fullness, smoothness and presence. Interestingly, this cable conveyed the edges of notes better, but also sounded smoother than the rest of the cables. It was both the least fatiguing of the USB cables I heard, yet also the most resolving. It provided a beautiful, organic sounding tone quality to instruments and voices, but still conveyed the edge in Kurt Cobain's voice on' Come as you are' better than either the Pangea or Shunyata cables. 

The downside of the Phasure Lush? You'll have to either order one from Europe or wait for one to show up in the used market only once every so often.