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32 Feet USB : sound degradation issues, what next?

Due to limitations of my room, my desktop computer is across the room from my DAC.

My cheapo 4 feet USB cable gave me great sound, but once I added the 32 feet USB extension to it, the sound degrades significantly. Details are lost, sound is harsher, bass gets bloated.
It annoys me that digital cables (its binary data, come on!) has so much effect on the sound.

My question is do USB cables need a burn-in time ?
Or
Do I need to figure out a way to keep my USB cables down to a 3-4 feet ?

I have not seen any audiophile USB cables that are 20-30 feet long, if they exist, do you have any experience with them ?
essrand
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
The link posted by HeyImDerrick is a good one, look at the 33 foot *active* USB cable that is found there. It will supposedly boost the signal for you over that long run. And you're only risking $8.30 to see if it works.

If it doesn't, you'll need to buy a *powered* USB hub which will have a built-in booster for the USB signal. These are also very inexpensive from MonoPrice...

-RW-
riffer
362 posts
 
Like Philjolet said. Your cables are too long. Put a powered hub halfway and you should be good.
essrand OP
296 posts
 
Thanks guys. I will try the "active" USB cable and see ifit works, if not the powered USB hub.
If neither then will have to get a mac mini. sigh!
This hobby can get tiring sometimes :)
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
USB Sucks! Get a soundcard!
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
Essrand, also the USB cable itself affects the sound, generic cables can sound thin, at least that was my personal experience

fwiw
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