USB cables


In the March 2012 issue of Absolute Sound, Robert Harley raves about a $550/m USB cable that replaced his "excellent" $80 cable, but doesn't tell us what the $80 cable is. For those of us who are less absolute, that would have been an interesting disclosure.

As a new owner of a MacMini loaded with Pure Music, I'd like to know what USB cables are recommended. The MacMini will output USB to a Musical Fidelity V-Link that will in turn output SP/DIF to a Cary 11a.

db
Ag insider logo xs@2xdbphd
I think R.H. was using the Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable. They advertise heavily in the Absolute Sound. I would recommend that you try the Carbon, or the Ridge Street Audio Poiema R-v3 USB Digital Master.
I am using Audioquest Cinnamon, I have only compared it to cheap cables, so I might not be the one to chime in, but it certainly has no glaring problems. I have read that both the Audioquest Carbon and the Kimber Silvers are great values...
Like most digItal cables, the high-end is where the significant improvement comes. $400 is a good starting point IME.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
I use the Locus Design Polestar, which Steve recommends (though the length is sorter than 1.5m). IME, it is made a worthwhile improvement over stock.

John