Artmindes

I haven't done any test on USB cables yet, but to me different SPDIF cables sound differently. The differences are not as big as in analog cables for sure, but they still exist. I have 3 different digital cables and each one of them sounds a bit different - one sounds more grainy (Blue Jeans Cable), one is smoother and has more 'air'(DIY silver cable), one has tighter bass (Black Cat SilverStar 75). As for USB cables, I don't know yet, but quite a lot of people report differences, too. This is why I asked for recommendations on the forum as I want to audition a few in my system and see for myself. If I hear the differences then I don't care for any scientific reasons. For me audio is mostly about the experience and what I can hear. Still it is very interesting to read more scientific explanations. Although they are not something I would solely base my decisions on, (not in audio world), but they give a fuller picture of the audio reality. For me my personal experience is more valuable as this is what this hobby is about for me. However I think it's good not to fall into any of the extremes - neither experience alone or measurements only, as both of them are prone to many traps and different errors.

Thanks for the info! Anybody compared Wireworld Starlight or Ultraviolet to other cheaper or more expensive USB cables? How do they perform soundwise?

kaka, you've mentioned RWA stock USB cable. have you compared it to Wireworld/Audioquest USB cables?

At the moment I use two analog interconnects - Blue Jeans Cable LC-1 and Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II. Blue Jeans sounds in my system quite decent. It gives me dynamic, full-bodied sound, but a bit grainy and tones are not as nice as in my Acoustic Zen. Acoustic Zen was my upgrade from BJC. It is smooth, provides more space, better soundstage, beautiful tones, more extention in bass and highs. It's musical, too! Unfortunately in my system this cable made mids (especially vocals) almost disappear! It's such a shame as I like almost everything about this cable. Well, maybe it could also have more resolution. As BJC and AZ don't give me the sound I am looking for, I decided to look further. I've gone through lots of reviews and impressions of cables and finally come across Zu Mission interconnect which is within my budget (

Guys, I am wondering how your USB cable connection looks like. Is it a direct connection between computer/media server and DAC or is it the connection through a USB/SPDIF converter. I am asking this because I've heard that USB/SPDIF converter is a bigger upgrade than USB cable itself. What's your take on this?

Thank you for answering my questions, Bear. This is very helpful.

Also, does WyWires USB cable sound characteristics (thoroughly described above by Highfilter) apply to also to WyWires digital interconnect? Anybody have the silver one?

I am wondering about another thing now. I am using USB->S/PDIF converter (JK HiFace MK3). I won't plug USB cable directly into DAC, but first to the converter and from there (via BNC-BNC digital cable) to DAC. Will the USB cable still play an equally important role in this kind of connection or its role will be diminished because of the indirect way?

You've written a really great and most comprehensive and detailed description of WyWires USB cable I've read so far! I appreciate your great effort and I am sure your post will be appreciated by many many other people. Big thank you!

Sounds simple, but having so different impressions of various digital interconnects sounding so differently makes me think that it's not an easy thing to do. Some cables are reported to be speedy, some slow, some have good big bass, some sound lean and without body, some have deeper and wider soundstage, some sound grainy, some are smooth, and so on. Hence my question - what are the strongest and weakest points of WyWires digital cables?

I agree, in each system cables may sound different, however there is some kind of repeatability that can create a "character" of a specific cable. I am interested only in the digital interconnect (probably LITESPD Digital Silver) and maybe also LITESPD Digital USB (however I still don't really believe it will better other decent USB cables like Wireworld Starlight) Would you be able to characterize the cable a little bit? Is it on a lean or heavy side? How is its dynamics/speed? What about its speciousness (depth and width of soundstage, holography)? I would appreciate any comments especially in relation to other decent (but cheaper) cables. Was the difference big? Thank you!

Email sent. OK, I've read many great reviews in which customers raved about WyWires cables. But let's be objective and tell also about the weaker sides of these cables? I don't believe any cable can be 100% perfect in all areas. So, what are their less strong sides?

Thanks for the info. Alex might be a very nice and responsive guy, but I can't expect an objective advice from a person who is a producer and seller of the stuff. I prefer to ask people who are (but not always, for other reasons) more objective.

barrows, The rules of building audio system that you described make total sense to me. I thought from a different perspective because I had already all the components of my system. In this situation I considered the change of cables as a cheaper way of influencing the sound. I must confess you've just made me fully aware that I was building my system not quite the right way. Fortunately I've always tried to get components that are neutral so my system is quite neutrally sounding. Still I feel I could make it better, more optimal if I followed your rules - starting from the source. Well, I am learning and this is the first audio system I am building. As for the mid-fi audio, I was only referring to the practices of sellers/producers, not to the sound characteristic itself. The practices in both mid-fi and high-end seem follow the same rule - the rule of 'exaggeration'. In mid-fi people are offered overblown bass and in high-end more lean and bright sound. Both practices don't support neutral and natural sound which is a shame.

>...problem with high end audio in general, and part of the problem maybe because a lean/bright tonal balance is subjectively impressive in short term listening evaluations, and often gives the (false) impression of greater detail retrieval I would think this kind of practices will be used by sellers of mid-fi audio, but not high-fi or high-end, where buyers should know how a good system should sound like and shouldn't be tricked so easily. Well, how about that the lean and bright sound is the cables' themselves responsibility? And if one can adjust one's system by selecting 'warmer' components, why not do it through cables which are also an audio component.