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  3. 176069-151326

Good cost effective USB cables for digital audio please

Hello all, I am going to be trying a new streamer that has a USB digital output to drive my DAC, and would like some user recommendations and suggestions on cost effective (say, under $300, less even better) USB A-B cables. It was interesting to see the Absolute Sound having a $25 Belkin gold USB cable on their recommended list for some time HA!!

I’ve been using RCA digital 75 ohm cables (Canare) for some time and know that an ideal length is roughly 1.5 meters for good signal transfer.

Does this apply to USB cables carrying the digital signal to the DAC as well?

 

troidelover1499
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,933 posts
 

+1 on DH Labs Mirage. It beat the wireworld, analysis plus and basic “stock” USB cables 

barts's avatar
barts
713 posts
 

At the moment I'm using a no name cable from Nucleus+ to DAC so this thread is timely for me.

Can someone answer the question of optimum length?  Or please post the lengths that you are currently using.  Thanks.

Regards,

barts 

melm
1,077 posts
 

I recommended Audioquest Pearl.  It's a simple, well made solid core copper and very easy on the pocketbook.  If your DAC provides sufficiency in the high frequencies it will serve you very well.  If you need more in the highs, getting the AQ with some amount of silver coating might be better.

blisshifi's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
blisshifi
1,183 posts
 

@barts For USB I'd recommend no longer than 2M, but it's not as meticulous as it is with coax/75ohm cables that work best exactly at 1.5M. Anything from .5M-2M should work optimally. Longer isn't horrible either.

soix
9,456 posts
 

Check out LavriCable.  I’ve got several of their cables in my HeadFi rig and have been very impressed with their sound for the price.  Best of luck. 

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