DAC choices -- help me cross the line

Arafiq Audiogon member Grannyring manufacturer’s a absolutely fabulous USB cable for under you budget , I use two of his Smoked BBQ cables for my Innuos front end I’ve stopped trying other cables .
If you can use a USB cable between your dac and server “without” the 5v leg , find out before buying any USB cable this will further improve performance.

Hey Arafiq,
Even after 20 something years in this audio hobby  and knowing that with analogue systems cables can make a big, big difference I never gave USB cables a thought (seems I'll never learn).

As a newbie in computer / digital sound I just didn't consider the USB link & used whatever generic cable came with the component.
After all, it's just a data stream.
In my "audiophilia nervosa"  at one point I decided to upgrade the USB.

I too got an Audioquest Forest considering this was a decent quality replacement & I could rest assured my connection was adequate.
With the Forest I heard no difference in sound.

About 2 years later I had a few bucks and decide  to  try the the Audioquest Carbon knowing I could return it to Amazon if I didn't like it.
Wow! It opened everything up, to my amazement.

Apparently USB cables could make a difference in how your system sounded & I used that cable for around 2 years.

Then I began to read about the Curious cable.
I decided to give it a try, it also had a return policy.
Well it sounded much better than the Carbon, much more like music.
Not only did detail improve, but all of those qualities we have shared about the Audio Mirror held true.

It is expensive, but, as I said, I do consider it a component.
It made THAT MUCH difference to the SQ of my system.

If you can't spent the 500 or so for the original Curious, I understand.
I would love to try the new Curious Evolved, but have to wait. 

The only piece of gear I would, consider selling to help the cost at this point is my Sennheiser HD700 phones.
And those wouldn't bring enough to offset my enjoyment of them. 


Yes the Audioquest Carbon opened my eyes (ears) to the effect a USB cable could have.
In fact I have kept it.
I would offer to send it to you to try, but Amazon will do the same, more quickly, with painless return.

In addition; I have found that Audioquest has a "house sound" compared to the very best cables.
Their stuff sounds very detailed at first, but it can become really bright and etched too.

There are probably USB cables other than the Curious that will preserve the essence of the music, perhaps at less expense.
I'm sure others will have suggestions.

Here's the bottom line for me:

DON'T SELL YOUR SYSTEM SHORT BY IGNORING THE EFFECT OF THE USB CABLE ON S.Q.

Again, sorry for the ramble. Hope it contains some useful info.

Cheers,
P.B. 

Just to add, I have no idea how the Curious would affect the sound with the Opt Rendu streamer.

@pastorbob and @in_shore Thank you for the recommendations. I was trying to search for the Smoked BBQ cable but all I'm finding is expired listings. 

I checked out the Curious Cable website, and looks like they sell the regular version for $350 (0.8m). Given that pastorbob has paired it with the same DAC as mine, I at least have a relatable point of reference. They also have a newer, more expensive version called Evolved for $550. A bit outside my budget but wondering if any one has compared it with the regular version and thinks its worth the extra dough. I guess I should be posting in the cables forum.

@jmolsberg -- it's good to know that you're happy with the upgraded version. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of improvements did you notice? Were they subtle or quite noticeable? Once I upgrade the USB cable, power cord, RCA cables, in that order, I will start thinking about sending it to Vlad for an upgrade.