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Core Tech USBe Perfect

Core Tech USBe Perfect

I have never been shy about criticizing or complementing products in the audio industry. I have always been a tweaker and fascinated when creative minds search out ways to improve sound quality.

However, many of these items do not perform as advertised or if they do something is the cost worth it?

As I have found sometimes these innovations (tweaks) really do improve the sound quality and are worth the money. Such items as the Townshend Platforms, various Grounding devices, High Fidelity NPS-1260, fuses and the Add-Powr Sorcer X4.

Today, I received the Core Tech USBe Perfect. Now this is a little plug in usb that goes into your Dac, CD, Streamer etc. I think its claim to fame is based on using it with an usb cable from a digital device utilizing a usb cable to the Dac. Since my Lumin X1 is a Streamer/Dac combo and I use fiber cable to connect to the Lumin there is no usb needed in my digital chain. But I am using an 8TB external hard drive where all my music is stored that does connect to my Lumin X1 via an usb cable so that is where I used the USBe Perfect.

Man, I wish I had the ability to use such eloquent sonic descriptions like the rag mags use (lifting veils, Liquidity?) Etc. Best I can say that from the first installation (cold out of the box) I did hear a more solid image. I hear more presence; bass is stronger and just about everything I like sound quality wise improved. My .50c opinion is that the music sounds stronger.

It is listed for $299 without a usb cable. Since I already own Curious usb cables I didn’t need an additional cable. Is it worth the cost? I really do think so, and your milage will not vary.

I’ve got to state again that this is worth the cost for the improvement. Feel free to send me any of your excess money…

ozzy

128x128ozzy
ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,456 posts
 

steakster,

Thank you for that info. So, if I am using an external hard drive, should I plug the USBe Perfect into the hard drive or into my Lumin X1?

Right now, I have it plugged into my Lumin.

ozzy

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guakus's avatar
guakus
351 posts
 

I just got the USBe Perfect and unfortunately, it doesn't pair well with the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt. :(  I had to go back to the Jitterbug FMJ to achieve my top sound.

I know Audioquest had stated that combining the Jitterbug in series with the Cobalt would hurt the sound.  They're wrong. The USBe Perfect causes the sound output to flatten and cease being holographic, on my setup.  That doesn't mean it doesn't work or isn't good.

I will save my USBe Perfect for when I upgrade to a proper standalone DAC and need to use a USB cable.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,456 posts
 

Thanks. I hope you can use it in the future. It's pretty good for the cost in my system. But you never really know in this hobby.

ozzy

tump350
83 posts
 

@ozzy Interesting, I also have those components. But I can't see where you would plug it in.

Ozzy, I still owe you a response -- the USBe Perfect continues to work wonderfully in my system, just as you describe.

In my case, the electronic box of the USBe Perfect plugs into the "DAC" usb jack on the back of the Zenith Mk.3, then the Core Power silver usb cord provided by Underwood Wally connects that to the USB input of my BMC Ultra DAC pre-amp.  It is a tight fit on the Zenith.  It required me to shave a bit off the plastic cladding surrounding the AudioQuest Ultaviolet8 cable that connects my back-up SSD to the Zenith. 

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