USB cable hype

"03-09-15: Axle
I never said cables don't matter."

You're right, you didn't. And I never said that you did.

"I said transmission should be error-free over a short USB cable. I would like to hear the reasons why you disagree."

I never said that I disagree with that either. Of course you want the cable to transfer the signal error free.

"Your answer should be more substantiated than "I heard it was better""

No it shouldn't. Those are the results I came up with after listening to the cables. Anything else wouldn't be truthful. Also, I never said one was better than another. I was very careful to say different. Better is a subjective term that will vary from person to person.

"But my question was "Can you explain it"?"

No I can't. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Maybe someone that has experience with cable design can give you a better answer as to the why of it.

Thanks for your reply.

Have you listened to any USB cables yet? If you have, what cable did you like the most?

I have listened to my DAC with the vanilla cable that came with the DAC and without cables (just a thumb drive). No difference. That is how Asynchronous USB DACs should behave by design.

My question wasn't about the cable's effects on SQ. It was about failure: At what distance does a vanilla USB cable start to fail? I'm sure the answer varies with drivers and date rate. For example, we know that PCM should travel farther than DSD.

The reason I am asking is because I am considering a music server plus DSD DAC (ExaSound E22 or PS audio DirectStream) and would like to a general idea of how far away I can place the server from the DAC.

I have asked manufacturers this question. Still, hearing your specific experiences may be helpful.

Can someone explain the need for expensive USB cables for short runs?

The answer is simple.

$$$. Audiophiles have it, manufacturers want it.