Top USB Cables

[Mike]

What are the top USB cables people are liking today? I'm still with my Siltech USB and Wireworld Platinum 7.

But the buzz on USB cables has died down.

What's hot?

[Steve]

Well, I have only tried a handful in a limited capacity given that I am still a digital appreciation infant.

My favourite is the Wireworld Platinum 7 of which I have a 3m length. Yes, pushing the theoretical length limits but it is a solid performer!

Followed by an iFi Gemini dual USB and iFi Mercury single USB depending upon their application.

I have not had the opportunity to try any Siltech Royal Sig USB which undoubtebly would be a strong performing cable.

Apparently there is an Australian made USB cable currently flavour of the year....

Having a Regen hanging off your DAC will transform your USB signal to a point where it becomes more difficult to compare individual cable performance.

The question I often ponder on is how long will it be before another interface medium will be the preferred choice for the serious digital audiophile?

[jdandy]

Mike.......I use a 3 meter Wireworld Platinum USB cable on one system and a 3 meter Wireworld Silver Starlight USB cable on a second system.

[nicoludio]

Depending on the price point and chatter, TotalDac, Jcat Reference and Curious.

At Axpona, Clarity Cables has introduced the Natural USB, which reportedly is better than the Curious in a direct comparison using Aurender W20 feeding Chord DAVE. But, at a 3x price differential though.

Surveying the market for a >2 m cable to link up the Melco N1A and the Zero XD but considering the Mutec MC3+ USB to reclock and output via AES/EBU as well. Decisions, decisions...

[the professor]

I use a Wireworld Platinum 7.

[RedSectorA]

Pondering the same thing as I just ordered a Melco N1A to connect to a Forssell MDAC-2. I currently have on order an Audioquest Diamond 1.5m which I was told would do the job very well but I'm curious to see what the concensus is.

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[Mike]

I ordered a Curious USB today. I'm curious about Curious. I remember Jim brought one with him when he came to my house.

[Kuoppis]

Still running the Cardas Clear USB, have it in all my systems.


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[Paul]

Love my Audioquest Diamond.

[JJinID]

I'm using LAT International USB, as well as their other cables in the rest of my system. Besides those mentioned so far, I also hear that the WyWyres USB is excellent, and will likely give it a try shortly.

[CPP]

I've tried and owned a few, a Black Cat Silverstar, a Mapleshade Clearlink, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable and a Belkin Gold Series Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Cable. To be honest, the Belkin sounds just a good as the others.

[mauidan]

Audience Au24 SE USB:

http://audience-av.com/reviews/PDF/T...sb_07_2015.pdf

[Mike]

Great suggestions guys. I'm thinking of ordering a few to try. As mentioned in an earlier post, I ordered the Curious already.

[Mechnutt]

I like the WW Platinum 7. Sounded much better than a Light Speed in my system. The Light Speed was way to bright and really irritating. In my friends system it the Light Speed sounded better than the WW. However the Regen made all the usb cables sound about the same.

[Alpinist]

Mike,

For transparency, my favorite is WW Platinum 7.

For organic musicality, my favorite is Totaldac USB, followed by Cardas Clear.

I find that every USB cable sounds different but none sound entirely right to my ears. Every one appears to be a compromise in one way or another. My reference for "right" is the way my K-01X sounds when I place a CD or SACD in its transport. For others, it may be the way the Lumin S1 sounds. I believe this variation with USB speaks to the inherent weakness of the connection compared to other connections such as Ethernet or I2S, which I believe will ultimately win out over USB in a few years from now.

Ken

[Kuoppis]

Interesting addition to any USB cable is the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery, which I ordered based on some postings on AS. It removed some digital glare and fortified the bass a bit. To understand whether it just removes artifacts or if it actually changes the sound I have however to listen a bit longer, just got it yesterday.


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[Kuoppis]

Mike,

For transparency, my favorite is WW Platinum 7.

For organic musicality, my favorite is Totaldac USB, followed by Cardas Clear.

I find that every USB cable sounds different but none sound entirely right to my ears. Every one appears to be a compromise in one way or another. My reference for "right" is the way my K-01X sounds when I place a CD or SACD in its transport. For others, it may be the way the Lumin S1 sounds. I believe this variation with USB speaks to the inherent weakness of the connection compared to other connections such as Ethernet or I2S, which I believe will ultimately win out in a few years from now.

Ken

I think Ken has a point, as an USB litz is a music cable (like e.g. SPDIF). This is as the signal is transported as streaming audio (contrary to the common misconception it is IP data). Hence, there also is no error correction.

An Ethernet connection in comparison is just an IP bit pipe transmitting the data, it will also benefit from the data error correction of the IP protocol. Hence, it interferes less with the audio signal.

[nicoludio]

This issue about USB cables sounding different/better, depending on system synergies and configuration was one of the reasons why I went for a network player like the Lumin A1. But, systems change, so...

Then again, even ethernet (and I suspect, I2S) cables sound different. Look at the plethora of LAN cable in the markets. Even changing the Lumin stock LAN cable to the Supra Cat 7 cable my system improved the sound. Not dramatic but perceptible.

Now, switches and media converters also have an impact HighEnd Switch. Based on anecdotal evidence, that is probably true, since changing the power supplies on a NAS or switch to an LPS does have a positive impact.

Perhaps an all in one source system the Aurender A10 (or similar) may be the way to go?

[CPP]

I like the WW Platinum 7. Sounded much better than a Light Speed in my system. The Light Speed was way to bright and really irritating. In my friends system it the Light Speed sounded better than the WW. However the Regen made all the usb cables sound about the same.

That's what I found with the LightSpeed to clinical or bright for me. But the Regan and the plain old Belkin Gold perfect to my years when playing classic rock and blues using using my DAC. But with the Lumin its just great as it is.

[LenWhite]

I ordered a Curious USB today. I'm curious about Curious. I remember Jim brought one with him when he came to my house.

I'm using a Kimber Kable/AG USB B-Bus from my Toshiba Portege R825-P70 Windows 10 Laptop to my EMM Labs XDS1 v2. It sounds close to SACD playback on direct comparison, but I'm very "curious" about Curious cables after reading a few reviews.

Please let us know how your listening goes with the USB cables Mike.

[Kuoppis]

I'm using LAT International USB, as well as their other cables in the rest of my system. Besides those mentioned so far, I also hear that the WyWyres USB is excellent, and will likely give it a try shortly.

Kindly let me know what you find out, I'm kinda curious about the WyWires USB.

My interconnects/ speaker cables/ some power cables are WyWires and I like them. Have just been so far using the Cardas Clear USB for a bit of additional body. But now that I have been adding some acoustic treatments I can go further on the transparency with my USB cable.

[Elberoth]

TotalDAC D! USB cable tops all other in my system.

[Julot]

I found that the Artisan Silver Cable double purity is hard to beat (http://www.artisansilvercables.co.uk...rity-usb/lfw2i ) . This is what I recommend to clients almost mandatorily with USB servers. At twice the price, I have found the Absolue Créations one to be absolutely wonderful, even more natural and rich-sounding, and fast.

[RichardA1]

I am using the Wireworld Platinum 7 usb. I tried it and the curious cable usb.

[Kuoppis]

Hi Richard, how would you compare those two?


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[Steve]

+1 ^^^^ Curious vs WW Platinum 7 USB ?

[nicoludio]

+ 2. Very curious

[BayStBroker]

I have a 5m DH Labs Mirage Ultimate USB inbound that I bought at AXPONA. (DH Labs sells its already value oriented brand for 50% below retail at AXPONA.) The Mirage will replace the 5m standard DH Labs USB cable I have used with good results for the last year. (5m allows me to operate from my listening position.)

Incidentally, one of the best experiences of AXPONA this year for me was meeting sound engineer Michael Bishop of Telarc fame. He was in the ATC speakers room endorsing their product and playing unreleased DSD recordings of Hiromi from his laptop. I asked him if he puts any stock in the quality of the USB cables he uses. He said he does not. His reason was that it is a short run and digital. (Doesn't mean he is right, just one pro's opinion.) He did go on to say that he feels strongly about the very long run XLR cables from MIT that he uses when recording in a concert hall.

[RichardA1]

I can only say that in my system the Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 usb cable was preferred by myself and another audio pal. More open and detailed.
I used it with just the .8 cable and also with a wfs recovery and a .8 and .3 cable.

[Edward]

I ordered a Curious USB today. I'm curious about Curious. I remember Jim brought one with him when he came to my house.

i'm curious, how did it go with the curious USB?

[Mike]

i'm curious, how did it go with the curious USB?

Nice cable. Warm sounding. Not the last word in resolution, but if you need to add some warmth to your system, it's a nice addition.

[Edward]

thanks. ive heard a lot about the audioquest diamond. if anyone has thoughts, i am all ears....

[Mike]

thanks. ive heard a lot about the audioquest diamond. if anyone has thoughts, i am all ears....

I had one in my system (loaner from rep). Superb. AQ silver is the only silver cables I really like. Siltech is silver/gold.


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[Everest Audio]

I'm still really liking the GutWire USBe-1 between a Melco N1A and T+A DAC 8 DSD. For me, it was more natural and organic sounding than the well-regarded Vertere Double D-Fi.

[RichardA1]

I am using a unpowered Sablon Audio Reserva Elite USB cable between my Lumin U1 and Lampizator Big 7 for the last 2 weeks. I have never enjoyed my music more.

[Devg]

I had one in my system (loaner from rep). Superb. AQ silver is the only silver cables I really like. Siltech is silver/gold.


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Mike, you like the AQ better than Siltech ? How much does the Siltech sell for ?

[Mike]

Mike, you like the AQ better than Siltech ? How much does the Siltech sell for ?

Depends on the DAC. The Siltech is smooth and slightly warm. If you put it on a super warm/smooth DAC, like the Lampi, it might be too much of a good thing. The AQ is really good. Detailed without any typical silver associated bite or edge. It has good weight and body. Smooth, but retains detail. Very adaptable for lots of different DAC's.


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[Jambo]

May want to try Vertere HB USB. According to HK audiophiles, it was better than Crystal/Siltech by quite a bit, they replaced their expensive USB cables with this one.

I'm not sure if I can post a link to another forum...but you can follow the chat there and see what people think of it.
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...ries-usb-cable

[La Dolce Vita]

What are the top USB cables people are liking today? I'm still with my Siltech USB and Wireworld Platinum 7.

But the buzz on USB cables has died down.

What's hot?

Thanks for this post Mike. I've been asking myself the same question lately.

I just compared the Audience AU24SE USB to Kimber Gold USB. Also the Kubala Sosna Revelation USB. Of the 3, the Kimber and Kubala were closest in performance. The Audience is great too but has more richness in tone and a bit less clarity compared to the other two.

Hope this helps...


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[fourxmotion]

Has anyone tried these USB cables - Acoustic Revive SPS/PLS, Kimber KS 2416/2426/2436 or Pranawire Photon? These are the ones I am thinking about pairing with the Aurender N10/Luxman DA-06.

[RV.]

I am using a unpowered Sablon Audio Reserva Elite USB cable between my Lumin U1 and Lampizator Big 7 for the last 2 weeks. I have never enjoyed my music more.

I've got mine back after the latest 2017 elite upgrade since a few weeks (use it between a modified dual pc setup and a Lampi GG). Amazing how low the noisefloor is with this cable and quite the upgrade from the previous version. In the past I used the PPA Studio top model, which was a big improvement above the AudioQuest Diamond which I had on loan.

[sheltie1]

Has anyone tried these USB cables - Acoustic Revive SPS/PLS, Kimber KS 2416/2426/2436 or Pranawire Photon? These are the ones I am thinking about pairing with the Aurender N10/Luxman DA-06.

I've used/heard the Kimber's....very nice cables. Not had a chance to hear the others.

[Audiohippo]

IMO the Wireworld Platinum USB delivers the goods.

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

[Stereophonic]

I have Siltech Classic USB Cable.
I need to upgrade it, so very interesting thread to me.

[johndoe21ro]

I've been in love with my AQ Diamond since 2015!

[wisnon]

Any experience with Phasure LUSH cable?

[CPP]

Any experience with Phasure LUSH cable?

that's the new kid on the block at the moment over at CA.

[Devg]

Any experience with Phasure LUSH cable?

I have the LUSH for sometime (I think I was the first batch to order). Its nice and I like it but there are number of in-between system changes that went through ever since I got it - I have the new JCAT USB Card Femto (powered by LPS-1) burning in at the moment with a custom LPS for the card coming next week. No more I use any streamer (like uR, etc) and go direct from my PC. After all these settle down, I should be able to compare with Audience AU24 SE, Wywires Platinum and Curious cables.

[cmarin]

I've had the Lush USB cable in my system for about two weeks. It's been used during that time with three DACs successfully: Pacific Microsonics Model 2 through a Playback Designs USB-XIII USB-AES Converter; Aries Cerat Kassandra II Reference; and a TotalDac d1-12.

In all three cases, the Lush was used to connect a Sound Gallery Monaco server to each of the DACs.

I've used a number of USB cables in the past, and while there were differences among them, they weren't profound.

The Lush cable, at least in my system, resulted in a profound difference in my system's sound quality; similar to a component change. I can wax un-poetically about the audiophile effects, but let me just summarize by saying that the Lush cable produces MUSIC and in a better way than what I've ever heard before in my room. YMMV.


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