Shunyata Omega USB

aKnyght said:
my understanding of the MSB pro-ISL / pro-USB input is that it provides for both 100% electrical isolation AND data integrity where the USB signal is subjected to error detection and correction. so, this makes the pro-ISL / pro-USB interface functionally equivalent to optical fiber ethernet input.

in this case, i cannot see how the choice of USB cable connected to the input side of the pro-USB dongle matters in the least.

of course, the (subjective) proof of this would be blind A/B testing of a consumer grade USB cable and an audiophile USB cable.

more info on the MSB pro-ISL / pro-USB input at this link

as always, YMMV :)
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This is a very fair point. If the only difference between USB cables is the quantity and type of noise they let through, then you would be correct. However, I suspect there are other differences that impact the sound quality such as impedance or conductivity of the conductors of the USB cable.

Best,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
This is a very fair point. If the only difference between USB cables is the quantity and type of noise they let through, then you would be correct. However, I suspect there are other differences that impact the sound quality such as impedance of the USB cable.
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an interesting consideration as well. my only question would then be: are any such differences which are electrical in nature material enough impact the error-corrected digital signal being converted to light?

i suspect not, but can't say that know this for a fact. i suppose it is possible that these differences are large enough to actually alter the digital signal (0s and 1s) after the pro-USB dongle error checks/corrects the incoming signal but before it is converted to light.

fwiw: i don't get why MSB does not offer an ethernet renderer module that accepts an SFP input transceiver. in this case, users could then use either a copper or fiber SFP transceiver as desired -- one size fits all.
 
Probably a question only His Mikeness can answer from experience: With the new Omegas on Shunyatas Website (USB, S/PDIF) which one is the one to go when planning to upgrade to a N20/N30 this year (currently N100H)? AES is not an Option with my DAC...
I remember our friend jdandy used an Sigma S/PDIF for his N10 (and a Sigma USB for the N100H). The specs from the N20 read as if the upgraded clocking are specific to the AES & S/PDIF. Then again you probably wouldn’t have gone for an Omega USB in the store if S/PDIF would be superior to the USB option I guess...
 
MusicLover said:
Probably a question only His Mikeness can answer from experience: With the new Omegas on Shunyatas Website (USB, S/PDIF) which one is the one to go when planning to upgrade to a N20/N30 this year (currently N100H)? AES is not an Option with my DAC...
I remember our friend jdandy used an Sigma S/PDIF for his N10 (and a Sigma USB for the N100H). The specs from the N20 read as if the upgraded clocking are specific to the AES & S/PDIF. Then again you probably wouldn’t have gone for an Omega USB in the store if S/PDIF would be superior to the USB option I guess...
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Yes, definitely USB. It’s less restrictive to formats too. A lot depends on the DAC as well. But today’s DAC’s are really optimized for USB.


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Alpinist said:
I’ve been working for years to get the USB cable out of my system because I honestly thought they didn’t sound very good. USB was never designed to be a high fidelity digital audio connection.

When I finally succeeded with the MSB Select DAC and Renderer V2 Digital Input Module (their top Digital Input Module at that time), MSB goes and designs the revolutionary new Pro USB Digital Input Module with Pro ISL optical connection to remove all electrical noise off the line.

This brings me back to square one again with USB. If I go full circle and purchase the Pro USB/Pro ISL, hopefully the Omega USB cable will not be the bottleneck in the sound that the Wireworld Platinum 7 USB Cable was in my last go around with the Esoteric Grandioso K1.

Ken
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I have also avoided the USB connection for the last couple of years thinking it was inferior to AES/XLR, but recently I tried an old Phasure Lush USB cable (not USB specification compliant) that I had laying around and it sounded great. Can only imagine this has to do with my DAC, the Rossini becomes the "master" clock when using USB. (when using the AES connection, the Aurender uses a better clock, which it is not used with the USB output.)

So in the end a lot of variables, but through USB the sound is more detailed and open, with AES the sound is a bit smoother, music flows better. It is a nice option to have.
 
Not happy with you guys .. making me want to upgrade my WW Starlight 7 USB to the Omega USB. Tax refund season is coming soon ... :roflmao:

George
 
gadawg said:
Not happy with you guys .. making me want to upgrade my WW Starlight 7 USB to the Omega USB. Tax refund season is coming soon ... :roflmao:

George
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You have no idea the improvement that lies ahead. I bought Sigma USB about a year ago, replacing a WW Platinum 7 USB, not even close, the Sigma was significantly better. Fast forward to this weekend, my dealer lent me his Omega USB. It’s UNBELIEVABLY good. Significantly better than the Sigma USB. I never would’ve believed the improvements CG found over and above the Sigma. IMO, the Omega USB is THE biggest “no brainer” in the history of cables, worth every penny for the upgrade.




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Don’t know about Omega USB, but probably similar to Omega Ethernet, which is OMFG.
 
I've gone from the Alpha USB to the Sigma and just recently to the Omega. Alpha to Sigma was a significant jump. The Alpha had been holding back the music - and the Sigma simply allowed a lot more to come forth. Sigma to Omega struck me more as a step towards the sound of no cable at all. The music just gets laid out in front of you so clearly - as if the soundboard in the recording studio is directly feeding my speakers. Of course that was hyperbole but I do think it conveys insight into the kind of improvement the Omega USB can bring.
 
The Omega USB is more weighty than most other USB cables both sonically and physically. The latter is concerning though due to the strain it puts on the USB output of a streamer or DAC. It’s not the easiest cable to prop up either due to the weight of that module and how close it is to the connector.

My Aperture panel came to the rescue as you can see below, but I may still try to pursue something that lowers the risk of damage to the USB output of my Antipodes K30.

MIT Cables figured out that they needed to provide a means to allow customers to more easily deal with the weight of the metal boxes on their interconnects. They provide a velcro strap that attaches to the box with a set screw. Shunyata may have to start thinking of providing a similar attachment with their heavier cables. Or maybe they have a recommended approach and I am simply unaware of it.

FBF0460D-3D04-431F-8F11-603BEA2A7E73.jpeg
 
For the Shunyata power cables, whose weight tends to pull them out of certain of my components, I have used the Furutech NCF Booster: a free-standing unit that clamps onto cable(s) to support them. It works very well. Furutech makes a version for signal cables as well, although I haven't used it. Granted, they seem way overpriced for what they are, but they did the job for me, and are a lot cheaper than repairing a damaged system...

NCF Booster | FURUTECH , NCF Booster-Signal | FURUTECH
 
Crumhorn said:
For the Shunyata power cables, whose weight tends to pull them out of certain of my components, I have used the Furutech NCF Booster: a free-standing unit that clamps onto cable(s) to support them. It works very well. Furutech makes a version for signal cables as well, although I haven't used it. Granted, they seem way overpriced for what they are, but they did the job for me, and are a lot cheaper than repairing a damaged system...
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Looks like they will do the trick. Thanks!
 
Shunyata have the mini DFE’s which can help some, very cost-effective. Furutech NCF (signal) boosters are made for this purpose though and more expensive.
 
It's been a long time, but anyone had a chance to compare the Omega-X to the plain Omega USB cable? Is the improvement of a major order, such as like the Sigma to the Omega, or more quantitative?
 
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