terrific info...
Ditch your USB cable for Toslink? Might surprise you!
I recently embarked on experiments with an updated USB cable between an Aurender N100h and a Qutest dac. (cables were Pangea, Curious and DH Labs) Bottom line, it most definitely revealed improvements but also exposed some flaws. So I looked into other tweaks to improve the chain...reclockers, decrapifiers and the likes. All these devices designed to fix inherent issues with USB. So I had the "duhhhh" moment and thought instead of fixing it....replace it.
I went out on a limb and got Aurender's UT100, a device which converts the USB output to Toslink (best option as the N100h only has usb out). I connect a modest Audioquest Cinnamon cable to it and I've been testing and burning in this new device and the input on the dac for several days now, Redbook all the way up to 24/192. And I must say I'm impressed, really impressed. I'll summarize my experience by saying it's just as detailed, but with a more relaxed presentation, no digital "grunge". This is the first time I've even considered trying the incisive filters on the Qutest.
I think Toslink is looked down on as a digital interface, but I'm seeing some big advantages to it now.
I'd encourage everyone to just try it, perhaps your equipment will respond favorably like mine did. I'd love to hear other's experiences, especially Node3 owners. I'm planning on getting one for my office rig.
Tim
Excuse me but I’ve never found a great deal of value from this guy’s videos. Inevitably the idea/word ratio is very small. What we learn in this video is that different USB cables can, in fact, sound different. However, unless you’re a graduate of ASR University you knew that already. What he doesn’t point out is that the best USB cable for a person is system specific. He likes Supra and Curious. I’ve tested Supra against the less expensive AudioQuest Pearl and much prefer the Pearl in my system. It’s not close. As for Curious, its principal claim to fame is separating the 5V cable physically from the signal cables. That feature is a large reason for its high price. But if your USB conversion uses its own power as mine does, that feature has no value whatever as there is no current in the 5V line. For a comparison of USB cables that I found useful, but with which I could nit pick, see this. |
i quite liked it... he does take you through his approach and his thinking that led to how he tried to control and compare, and i think he really dispels the notion that its all 1 and 0's so it is all bound to be the same furthermore i like that he is careful is not overstating his conclusions, and he does say that all his qualitative judgements are of course just that... subjective and to his own taste too many yt-ers say stuff without basis and are imprecise, whereas this fellow tries to be squeaky clean in explanations and methodology, does not overstep... |
I'll have to check out this video, I've also read quite a few USB shootout reviews and I find them very interesting and informative. So for the second time this week I get delivery on an open box bargain...that's brand new. 👍 The Wireworld Supernova 7 stranded glass Toslink cable sounds stunning compared to the Audioquest Cinnamon. Anyone reading this could pick out the difference in a blind test 100% of the time. My expectation bias on this was low but I'd read very positive reviews, found a "open box" deal at Music Direct and said why not try it. So not only do we have the "it's just 1's and 0's thing...it's also just light. How the heck this thing can sound so different is beyond me but it's made a bigger difference than any other cable change I've tried, analog or digital. It's funny how when I have big expectations of new equipment/cables, I'm usually disappointed. And the opposite when I don't expect much. |
@treynolds155 I was introduced to WireWorld cables this year and I've been astonished how good they are. WW Starlight 8 CAT 8 is a bargain Ethernet cable and the Starlight 8 Platinum CAT 8 is phenomenal in a higher price bracket. |