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USB cables

In the March 2012 issue of Absolute Sound, Robert Harley raves about a $550/m USB cable that replaced his "excellent" $80 cable, but doesn't tell us what the $80 cable is. For those of us who are less absolute, that would have been an interesting disclosure.

As a new owner of a MacMini loaded with Pure Music, I'd like to know what USB cables are recommended. The MacMini will output USB to a Musical Fidelity V-Link that will in turn output SP/DIF to a Cary 11a.

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elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
How important for the sound quality is the USB cable when using a USB/SPDIF converter like Audiophileo or JK HiFace?

I think you should go with the best USB/SPDIF converter you can afford (V-Link -> Audiophileo 2 / JK SPDIF mk 3 -> HiFace Evo + Evo Clock + PSU) and only after that try different USB cables. IMO this brings greater improvement that replacing the USB cable.
c_avila1
185 posts
 
I want to share my experience of a USB cable that has not been mentioned in this thread. The LAT International USB cable:

For a couple of months, I used a "regular" USB cable which cost only a few bucks. It was obvious that I was listening to a digital source because music sounded grainy and harsh. It was only after upgrading to the LAT International cable that I realized the extent of the damage of the "regular" USB cable. The LAT USB cable eliminated or greatly reduced the grain/harshness so music is smooth and natural. The LAT was an instant improvement with a very transparent sound. The cable cost $119 for 1.5 meters. I'm very curious to compare the LAT USB to the high end (price-wise) USB cables. Cables do make a difference and I recommend any naysayer to experiment for themselves. You'll be glad you did.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,203 posts
 
I have used .05 m to 1.5 m cables and There was no difference what so ever in sonics,and I gave them over 300 hrs to run in.
I can see on some brands it might matter,but the Wireworld
Silver Starlight is a very well built cable.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,203 posts
 
A cable is not just a cable even digital ,the more accurate the timing
And accuracy of the signal is very important.i have had from Beldon
To $50 audioquest tp $250-$ 600wireworld. If you hoping to judge a cable
First give it at least 250 hrs for the metal to settle in and even more so the dialectric.please remember the signal is so small compared to a speaker cable or even a interconnect. Everythjng is a bit better instrument shading
Inner detail and decay. This is most important Only if you have a system
That has very good resolution. A $5k system would be a waste of money for a $600 usb cable, $250 would be better suited.
At least $15 k minimum needed for the ultimate resolution .
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