This on usb cables

No it is not.  He might believe that "some" expensive cables would sound better, but would not necessarily believe that all expensive cables would sound better.  Logic is a tricky thing.  ;)

It is. Especially when one leads with a belief system and simultaneously speaks of / for another's future experience. 

@kuttler  Borrow some USB cables from your friends or dealers or the lending library that The Cable Co. offers. Conduct the comparisons for yourself. There are a number of strong performers out there...read the various threads to lock into one or more. 

Just yesterday I replaced the stock cable with an AQ Carbon 3 meter to connect my 10TB external hard drive to my Cambridge 851N network player. I was mainly motivated by the need for a longer cable, but I’d been surprised in the past so I thought I’d try a (relatively mild) upgrade. Instant improvement in sound—better sound stage, better clarity, maybe a little better bass. Not night and day, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The Cambridge goes through a Marantz AV8802a to Bel Canto ref 500Ms to Dali Mentor 6s. Nordost and Morrow cables. So my mid-fi system detects a change USB cables, go figure.

Thanks for your opinions.  
Did not know about the lending library, sounds like a great idea.   I live in a remote location in NY so there are no shops I can go to for a listen.   
I was wondering about the usb interface coming from the intel nuc as well,  thinking the quality of that interface may prevent qualitative improvements.   
Dave