Phil C

Thanks Chris for your quick turnaround review, I always value your opinion. Yggdrasil (current model) is on my DAC purchase short list, so your comparison of it to the two new models could not have come at a better time. And kudos to the Schiiters for setting up a quality double blind test.

Whew! Thanks for all this hard work Chris!

Introduction Sources for the digital cable roundup include the Internet and audiophile publications and are mainly "Recommended Components" lists, "Editors' Choices" lists, and audio component reviews that mention the digital cable included in the reviewer’s own stereo system. These are lists and reviews I have happened upon over the years. I have no doubt overlooked many lists and reviews, so let me know and I can include them next update. If a cable is mentioned frequently and over several years, my theory is that it may very well be a superior cable and worthy of consideration. Here’s hoping my fellow audiophiles and music aficionados will find this roundup helpful, for instance, when comparison shopping for a cable. Note: Speaker cables and analog interconnects are not included in this roundup, digital only. There are two sections: 1) USB Cables, and 2) Other Digital Cables. Price lists follow each section. One last comment I just can’t pass up: Prices range broadly from $8.25 to $14,000. USB Cables 2020 Recommended USB cables listed in The Absolute Sound High-End Buyer's Guide 2020: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Audioquest Forest Audience Frontrow Belkin Gold Series Clarus Cable Crimson Nordost Heimdall 2 Shunyata Research Sigma (TAS editor Robert Harley's reference) Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 Synergistic Research Galileo SX Audioquest Coffee USB was used in Sasha Matson's review of Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speakers in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable was used by Herb Reichert in an Elac Carina BS243.4 speaker review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Audioquest Coffee USB cable was listed as associated equipment in Kal Rubinson's the Benchmark LA4 preamplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Pangea Premier SE USB was listed as associated equipment in Tom Gibb's review of the Bel Canto e1X amplifier, stereophile.com, May 14, 2020. Audioquest Coffee USB was in John Atkinson's audio system for the Parasound Halo JC1+ mono amplifier review in Stereophile, June 2020, Vol. 43, No. 6. Audioquest Carbon, Cinnamon, and Coffee USB cabless were listed as associated equipment in Jim Austin's review of the T+A MP 3100 HV SACD player/streaming DAC in Stereophile, June 2020, Vol. 43, No. 6. Audioquest Diamond USB was used in Robert Schryer's review of Totem Acoustic Skylight speakers in Stereophile, June 2020, Vol. 43, No. 6.Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear High Speed USB cables were used by Herb Reichert in his review of Tannoy Revolutions XT 6 speakers in Stereophile, July 2020, Vol. 43, No. 7. Audioquest Coffee USB cable was in Kalman Rubinson's audio system for the JL Audio Fathom subwoofer review in Stereophile, August 2020, Vol. 43, No. 8. Nordost Odin 2 and Valhalla 2 USB cables were listed as associated equipment in Jason Victor Serinus's Gold Note DS-10 DAC review Aavik Acoustics U-380 integrated amp reviews in Stereophile, August 2020, Vol. 43, No. 8. 2019 Audioquest Coffee USB cable was used by Sasha Matson in a Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speaker review and by Kalman Rubinson in a Benchmark LA4 preamplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Nordost Odin 1, Odin 2, and Valhalla 2 USB cables were mentioned by Jason Serinus in his Gryphon Ethos CD player & D/A processor review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Black Cat Digit-USB cable was reviewed by Tom Lyle, Enjoy-The-Music online, March 2019 and by Dave Clark, positive-feedback.com, Issue 103, April 22, 2019. Nordost Purple Flare USB cable was in a review by Michael Mercer, theabsolutsound.com, June 18, 2019. Kubala-Sosna Sensation USB cable was reviewed by Maurice Jeffries in positive-feedback.com, Issue 105, September 1,2019. Mytek USB cable was used by Ken Micallef in a Trenner & Friedl Osiris speaker review in Stereophile, November 2019, Vol. 42, No. 11. Kimber Kable USB B CU USB cable is recommended by Steven Rocklin, enjoythemusic.com in the Great Audiophile Gifts 2019 article. 2018 Skogrand Beethoven USB cable was reviewed by Dave Clark, positive-feedback.com, June 14, 2018. Audience AU24sx USB cable was reviewed by Myles Astor, positive-feedback.com, Issue 98, June 25, 2018. Nordost Purple Flare USB review by Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio website, October 2018. 2017 Curious USB cable and Anticables USB cable was reviewed by Dave Clark, positive-feedback.com, Issue 90, February 20, 2017. Kimber Kable Axios USB cable was reviewed by Robert Levi, positive-feedback.com, Issue 92, July 17, 2017. 2016 Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable used by Chris Connaker, editor Audiophilestyle.com, in his MQA review dated February 5, 2016. Audioquest Coffee, Nordost Blue Heaven, and Nordost Heimdall 2 USB cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Curious USB cable was reviewed by John Darko Audio online, 2015. He called it a knockout cable from Australia. Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson is his review of the Apogee Electronics Groove DAC/headphone amp in Stereophile, January 2016, Vol. 39, No.1. Audience Au24 SE USB cable was reviewed by editor Robert Harley at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). He concluded, "priced at the very top end of the scale, but if you want a no-compromise USB cable, look no further." Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable was reviewed and highly recommended by Karl Schuster at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable received a positivefeedback.com 2015 Brutus Award by editor David Robinson. He said it "is absolutely the best USB cable that I've heard to date. You can quote me on that…and you can take it to the bank." JPlay JCat Reference USB cable was reviewed by Paul Candy, positive-feedback.com, Issue 79, May 24, 2015. Audioquest Diamond, Wire World Platinum Starlight 7, and Nordost Purple Flare USB cables were used by John Connaker in his review of the Schitt Audio Yggdrasil DAC on November 3, 2015, in ComputerAudiophile.com (remaned AudiophileStyle.com). Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable was reviewed by Steven Plaskin at Audiostream.com on October 22, 2015. He compared it to the Audioquest Diamond, Light Harmonic LightSpeed 10G USB, and Synergistic Research Galileo LE USB Cables. He said that it "receives my strongest accolades as the most satisfying USB cable I have had the pleasure to audition." The Shunyata Vemon and Audioquest Carbon USB cables were recommended as good matches with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC digital/analog converter by Steven Plaskin in the comments section of his review of the Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable (see above). DanaCable USB cable was reviewed by Wayne Donnelly at EnjoyTheMusic.com in the September 2015 edition. Clarus Crimson USB and Kimber Kable KS2436 USB cables were reviewed by Neil Gader on August 26, 2015 in a The Absolute Sound online review. He gave the Clarus Crimson USB a Golden Ear Award 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried May 15, 2015): AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable Transparent Audio Performance USB cable Shunyata Research Venom USB cable. Reviewed positively by Steven Plaskin, Audiostream.com, April 30, 2015. In the review, he mentioned the Belkin Pro Series USB cable negatively and called the Audioquest Diamond USB cable one of his favorites. 2014 DH Labs Silver Sonic USB, Cardas Clear USB, and Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7.0 USB cables were reviewed online by Jonathan Lo, EnjoyTheMusic.com, mid-December 2014. The Belkin Gold Series USB cable is also mentioned in comparison. Nordost Blue Heaven USB cable. Listed as associated equipment by Art Dudley, Stereophile, July 2014. Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Stealth Varidig Sextet USB cable, and the Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable were compared online by Andy Schaub, positive-feedback.com, Issue 72, March/April 2014. The Absolute Sound (TAS) 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide, Issue 237 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Audioquest Forest Belkin Gold Series Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight The Absolute Sound 2013 Editors’ Choice Awards, Issue 241, March 2014 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Belkin Gold Series Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight Audioquest Coffee and Belkin Gold USB cables were used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable was used in a Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC review in Audiostream online by Michael Lavorgna on February 24, 2014. Cardas Clear and DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cables were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Audioquest Diamond and Wireworld Sliver Starlight USB cables were used by Chris Connaker as associated equipment in recent reviews on 1/29/2014. Light Harmonic LightSpeed and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Bricasti Design M1 DAC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on January 20, 2014. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Audioquest Forest Transparent Audio Performance Pranawire Photon USB cable won a Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Award from editor David Robinson. He stated this is his new reference standard. Purist Audio Design Ultimate, Wywires Litespd, and Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cables won Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Awards from editor Dave Clark. Audioquest Diamond and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream.com, December 4, 2013. USB cables that Plaskin uses in his own high end system are: Audioquest Diamond and Light Harmonic LightSpeed. In Audiostream.com, there is a review of three cables titled, “USB Cable Shootout” by Steven Plaskin, April 22, 2013, for the Audioquest Diamond, Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable with Enigma Tuning Circuits, and Wireworld Platinum Starlight. 2012 Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable won a TAS 2012 Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in the Sept. 2012 issue. Audioquest Diamond USB cable review in TAS March 2012 by editor Robert Harley. This is his reference cable. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable was reviewed favorably by Tom Gibbs in positive-feedback.com, Issue 59, Jan/Feb 2012 edition. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable won a Goodsound/SoundStage! 2012 Great Buy Award. Reviewed by Hans Wetzel, January 1, 2012. USB Cables Price List Anticables (1m $240) Audience Au24 SE USB cable ($895) Audience Frontrow ($1300) Audioquest Carbon (0.75m $150; 1.5m $200) Audioquest Coffee (0.75m $279; 1.5m $349) Audioquest Cinnamon (0.75m $80; 1.75m $100) Audioquest Diamond (0.75m $600; 1.5m $760) Audioquest Forest (0.75m $35; 1.5m $50) Audioquest Forest iPod–USB cable (1.5m $39) Belkin Gold Series (1m $15) Belkin Pro Series (6ft $8.25) Black Cat Digit-USB (1m $749) Cardas Clear (1m $168) Cardas Clear High Speed (1m $400) Clarus Crimson (1m $250; 2m $350) Curious (1m, $390) DanaCable (2m $895) DH Labs Silver Sonic (1m $70; 1.5m $80) JPlay JCat Reference (1m $500) Kubala-Sosna Research Realization (1m $3500) Kubala-Sosna Sensation (1m $2200) Kimber Kable Axios (1m $900) Kimber Kable USB B CU USB (0.5m $50) Kimber Kable KS2436 (1m/$1195) Light Harmonic Lightspeed (1.6m $1400) Mytek ($100) Nordost Blue Heaven (1m $250; 3m $700) Nordost Heimdall 2 ($1m $500) Nordost Purple Flare (1m $200) Nordost Valhalla 2 (1m $3500) Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 (1m $50; 2m $70; 3m $90) Pangea Premier SE (1m $50) Pranawire Photon (0.6m $995; 1.2m $1295) Purist Audio Design Ultimate (1m $995) Shunyata Research Sigma ($995) Shunyata Research Venom (.75m $125; 1.5m $195) Skogrand Beethoven (1.5m $14,000) Stealth Varidig Sextet (1m $3,000) Straightwire USB-Link (1m, $50; 1.5m, $60) Synergistic Research Galileo SX (1m $3000) Synergistic Research USB Active SEe w/ Enigma Tuning Circuits (1m $595) Transparent Audio Performance (1m $95) Wireworld Platinum Starlight (1m $600) Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (1m $700) Wireworld Silver Starlight (1m $275) Wywires Litespd (1.5m $800) Other Digital Cables 2020 DH Labs AES/EBU cable was in John Atkinson's audio system for the Parasound Halo JC1+ mono amplifier review in Stereophile, June 2020, Vol. 43, No. 6. Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU digital cable was used in Sasha Matson's review of Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speakers in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. 2019 Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and coaxial digital cables recommended in The Absolute Sound High-End Buyer's Guide 2020. Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU digital cable was used by Sasha Matson in a Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speaker review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Esperanto Audio S/PDIF coaxial cable and a DH Labs AES/EBU cable were used by John Atkinson in a NAD M10 integrated amplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Kimber Kable D60 Data Flex Studio coaxial cable was used by Herb Reichert in an Elac Carina BS243.4 speakers review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Kimber Kable AGDL coaxial cable was used by Tom Norton in a Monitor Audio Gold 300 speaker review in Stereophile, November 2019, Vol. 42, No. 11. 2017 Esperanto Audio Black S/PDIF coaxial cable was reviewed by Michael Zisserson at positive-feedback.com, Issue 91, May 5, 2017. 2016 Audioquest Hawkeye 75 Ohm and Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF digital cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Empirical Design ED-120 Coaxial 75 Ohm Digital cable is part of reviewer's Karl Schuster's stereo system as noted in his review of the Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable at theasolutesound.com in the downloadable Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried 5/15/2015): Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F digital cable (75 ohm) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable Kimber Orchid AES/EBU digital cable Kubala-Sosna Expression digital cable (75 Ohm) 2014 Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm digital cable was listed as associated equipment by Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile, July 2014. (Also, reviewed in 6moons.com, July 2010, by Srajan Ebaen.) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable was used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable and Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a Benchmark DAC2 HGC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and Coaxial Digital Cable in The Absolute Sound 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide (other digital cables) Source: Issue 237. Transparent XL Reference Digital Link cable (75 Ohm; 110 Ohm) in TAS Editor's Choice Awards 2014. Reviewed by Jacob Heilbrunn in TAS January 2014, Issue 239. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Analysis Plus Digital Oval Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU Kimber Orchid AES/EBU Kubala-Sosna Expression 2012 Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable won a 6Moons.com Blue Moon Award in September 2012. 2011 and Prior Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm Digital cable was reviewed by Rick Becker at EnjoyTheMusic.com in July 2006. Stereovox HDVX Coaxial Digital cable was reviewed favorably in Enjoy the Music.com in January 2004 by Todd Warnke. This site has several other cable reviews. Rick Becker, EnjoytheMusic.com, July 2010, reviewed three digital cables: Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF, Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF, and Teo Audio Liquid. Kimber D-60 digital cable (75 ohm). Audio Advisor states that this was a Stereophile recommended cable in 1996. Other Digital Cables Price List Analysis Plus Digital Oval 75 Ohm (1m $190) Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF (1.0/1.5m $199) Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU (1m $1200) Audioquest Hawkeye S/PDIF 75 Ohm (2m $200) Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm (1.23m $123) Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 Ohm (3ft $19) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU (1m $99) Empirical Design ED-120 coaxial 75 Ohm (3ft $96; 5ft $110; 8ft $131) Esperanto Audio S/PDIF coaxial (price unknown) Esperanto Audio Black S/PDIF coaxial ($1000) Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF (length unknown $1900) Kimber AGDL coaxial (1m $600) Kimber D-60 75 Ohm (.5m $228; 1m $390) Kimber Orchid AES/EBU (1m $757) Kubala-Sosna Expression (1m $775) Nordost Odin 2 75 Ohm or 110 Ohm (1.25m $11,000) Ocellia Reference Cables (1m $1027) Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF (1m $1250) Stereovox HDVX coaxial (1m $100 in yr. 2004) Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm (1m $150) Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU/coaxial (1m $300; 1.5m $400) Teo Audio Liquid (1m $749) Transparent XL Reference Digital Link (75 Ohm $3195; 110 Ohm $3595)

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I maintain a 23,000 song iTunes library on a few PCs. I have moved my music library from one PC to another. I did it by copying the standard iTunes Media folder containing the songs on the old PC to an external USB drive; connected drive to new PC; opened iTunes on new PC and selected File, Add Folder to the Library and pointed to the iTunes Media folder on the drive. It took a while but completed okay. It’s curious that only some of your albums imported into your PC's iTunes and that might be a clue. Two possible culprits come to mind: music formats and consolidation. Music Formats Are some songs in WAV format or other non-iTunes import friendly formats? For WAV, iTunes will only import Song name and not Artist or Album names. iTunes expects you to add the Artist and Album name manually. You can see a song’s format in iTunes by looking at “Kind”. Also, in iTunes on the PC, highlight a song, click “Get Info”, click “File” tab, and look at Location. Location should be like: <drive>:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Aaron Neville\Best of Aaron Neville\03 The Bells.aif This shows that it imported in the desired Artist\Album\Song folder and file structure. If not, it’s a clue to the problem. Consolidation How did you move your iTunes music library from Mac Mini to PC? Here is a link to some Apple Support instructions that may assist you. I don't know of Apple Support instructions specifically for copying from a Mac to a PC but these should help. Consolidating your files per the instructions before the move may be the solution. Back up and restore your iTunes library on your PC https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201625 Because PCs and Macs use different operating systems, there may be some technical problems because of that. I'm not a Mac user so I can't help out there. But the fact that some of your albums did import leads one to believe this did not cause the problem. About NAS: Can do automatic file backups on separate mirrored drives and provides one central music library for all your music players (PC and/or Mac) on your LAN. Most NAS can connect to an external USB drive, so you can make an external copy of the music library in case the NAS has a catastrophic failure. Backing up is soooo important. So, NAS keeps the music library safe and can keep your other data safe too. But, a NAS complicates things by bringing more technology to the party and access to your music library becomes reliant on more equipment, such as, NAS, router, and Ethernet cabling…. More that can go wrong. This makes for more complicated troubleshooting if things go wrong. Also, there is setting up and maintaining a NAS which has its own user interface. Some fail at that, but those who climb that learning curve seem pleased. A lot of pros think NAS is the best way to go. Hope to hear back from you. Cheers. Phil C

Introduction Sources for this cable roundup are mainly "Recommended Components" lists, "Editors' Choices" lists, and audio component reviews that mention the digital cable included in the reviewer’s stereo system. If a cable appears frequently and over several years in these sources, my theory is that it may very well be a superior cable and worthy of consideration. I hope that my fellow audiophiles and music aficionados will find this roundup helpful, for instance, when researching and shopping for a cable. Speaker cables and analog interconnects are not included in this roundup. The cables are divided into two lists: 1) USB Cables, and 2) Other Digital Cables. You can find prices following each list. USB Cables 2020 Audioquest Coffee USB cable was in Kalman Rubinson's audio system for a JL Audio Fathom subwoofer review in Stereophile, August 2020, Vol. 43, No. 8. Nordost Odin 2 and Valhalla 2 USB cables were listed as associated equipment in Jason Victor Serinus's Gold Note DS-10 DAC review in Stereophile, August 2020, Vol. 43, No. 8. 2019 Audioquest Coffee USB cable were used by Sasha Matson in a Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speaker review and by Kalman Rubinson in a Benchmark LA4 preamplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable was used by Herb Reichert in an Elac Carina BS243.4 speaker review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Nordost Odin 1, Odin 2, and Valhalla 2 USB cables used by Jason Serinus in his Gryphon Ethos CD player & D/A processor review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Black Cat Digit-USB cable was reviewed by Tom Lyle, Enjoy-The-Music online, March 2019 and by Dave Clark, positive-feedback.com, Issue 103, April 22, 2019. Recommended USB cables listed in The Absolute Sound High-End Buyer's Guide 2020: Belkin Gold Series Audioquest Forest Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 Clarus Cable Crimson Nordost Heimdall 2 Shunyata Research Sigma (TAS editor Robert Harley's reference) Audience Frontrow Synergistic Research Galileo SX. Kubala-Sosna Sensation USB cable was reviewed by Maurice Jeffries in positive-feedback.com, Issue 105, September 1,2019. Mytek USB cable was used by Ken Micallef in a Trenner & Friedl Osiris speaker review in Stereophile, November 2019, Vol. 42, No. 11. 2018 Skogrand Beethoven USB cable was reviewed by Dave Clark, positive-feedback.com, June 14, 2018. Audience AU24sx USB cable was reviewed by Ayles Astor, positive-feedback.com, Issue 98, June 25, 2018. Nordost Purple Flare USB review by Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio website, October 2018. 2017 Curious USB cable and Anticables USB cable was reviewed by Dave Clark, positive-feedback.com, Issue 90, February 20, 2017. Kimber Kable Axios USB cable was reviewed by Robert Levi, positive-feedback.com, Issue 92, July 17, 2017. 2016 Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable used by Chris Connaker, editor Audiophilestyle.com, in his MQA review dated February 5, 2016. Audioquest Coffee, Nordost Blue Heaven, and Nordost Heimdall 2 USB cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Curious USB cable was reviewed by John Darko Audio online, 2015. He called it a knockout cable from Australia. Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson is his review of the Apogee Electronics Groove DAC/headphone amp in Stereophile, January 2016, Vol. 39, No.1. Audience Au24 SE USB cable was reviewed by editor Robert Harley at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). He concluded, "priced at the very top end of the scale, but if you want a no-compromise USB cable, look no further." Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable was reviewed and highly recommended by Karl Schuster at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable received a positivefeedback.com 2015 Brutus Award by editor David Robinson. He said it "is absolutely the best USB cable that I've heard to date. You can quote me on that…and you can take it to the bank." JPlay JCat Reference USB cable was reviewed by Paul Candy, positive-feedback.com, Issue 79, May 24, 2015. Audioquest Diamond, Wire World Platinum Starlight 7, and Nordost Purple Flare USB cables were used by John Connaker in his review of the Schitt Audio Yggdrasil DAC in ComputerAudiophile.com on November 3, 2015. Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable was reviewed by Steven Plaskin at Audiostream.com on October 22, 2015. He compared it to the Audioquest Diamond, Light Harmonic LightSpeed 10G USB, and Synergistic Research Galileo LE USB Cables. He said that it "receives my strongest accolades as the most satisfying USB cable I have had the pleasure to audition." The Shunyata Vemon and Audioquest Carbon USB cables were recommended as good matches with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC digital/analog converter by Steven Plaskin in the comments section of his review of the Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable (see above). DanaCable USB cable was reviewed by Wayne Donnelly at EnjoyTheMusic.com in the September 2015 edition. Clarus Crimson USB and Kimber Kable KS2436 USB cables were reviewed by Neil Gader on August 26, 2015 in a The Absolute Sound online review. He gave the Clarus Crimson USB a Golden Ear Award 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried May 15, 2015): AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable Transparent Audio Performance USB cable Shunyata Research Venom USB cable. Reviewed positively by Steven Plaskin, Audiostream.com, April 30, 2015. In the review, he mentioned the Belkin Pro Series USB cable negatively and called the Audioquest Diamond USB cable one of his favorites. 2014 DH Labs Silver Sonic USB, Cardas Clear USB, and Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7.0 USB cables were reviewed online by Jonathan Lo, EnjoyTheMusic.com, mid-December 2014. The Belkin Gold Series USB cable is also mentioned in comparison. Nordost Blue Heaven USB cable. Listed as associated equipment by Art Dudley, Stereophile, July 2014. Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Stealth Varidig Sextet USB cable, and the Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable were compared online by Andy Schaub, positive-feedback.com, Issue 72, March/April 2014. The Absolute Sound (TAS) 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide, Issue 237 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Audioquest Forest Belkin Gold Series Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight The Absolute Sound 2013 Editors’ Choice Awards, Issue 241, March 2014 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Belkin Gold Series Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight Audioquest Coffee and Belkin Gold USB cables were used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable was used in a Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC review in Audiostream online by Michael Lavorgna on February 24, 2014. Cardas Clear and DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cables were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Audioquest Diamond and Wireworld Sliver Starlight USB cables were used by Chris Connaker as associated equipment in recent reviews on 1/29/2014. Light Harmonic LightSpeed and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Bricasti Design M1 DAC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on January 20, 2014. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Audioquest Forest Transparent Audio Performance Pranawire Photon USB cable won a Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Award from editor David Robinson. He stated this is his new reference standard. Purist Audio Design Ultimate, Wywires Litespd, and Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cables won Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Awards from editor Dave Clark. Audioquest Diamond and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream.com, December 4, 2013. USB cables that Plaskin uses in his own high end system are: Audioquest Diamond and Light Harmonic LightSpeed. In Audiostream.com, there is a review of three cables titled, “USB Cable Shootout” by Steven Plaskin, April 22, 2013, for the Audioquest Diamond, Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable with Enigma Tuning Circuits, and Wireworld Platinum Starlight. 2012 Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable won a TAS 2012 Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in the Sept. 2012 issue. Audioquest Diamond USB cable review in TAS March 2012 by editor Robert Harley. This is his reference cable. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable was reviewed favorably by Tom Gibbs in Positive Feedback, Issue 59, Jan/Feb 2012 edition. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable won a Goodsound/SoundStage! 2012 Great Buy Award. Reviewed by Hans Wetzel, January 1, 2012. USB Cables Price List Anticables (1m $240) Audience Au24 SE USB cable (length not specified; $895 single connector; $995 double connector) Audience Frontrow ($1300) Audioquest Carbon (0.75m $150; 1.5m $200) Audioquest Coffee (0.75m $279; 1.5m $349) Audioquest Cinnamon (0.75m $80; 1.75m $100) Audioquest Diamond (0.75m $600; 1.5m $760) Audioquest Forest (0.75m $35; 1.5m $50) Audioquest Forest iPod–USB cable (1.5m $39) Belkin Gold Series (1m $15) Belkin Pro Series (6ft $8.25) Black Cat Digit-USB (1m $749) Cardas Clear (1m $168) Clarus Crimson (1m $250; 2m $350) Curious (1m, $399) DanaCable (2m $895) DH Labs Silver Sonic (1m $70; 1.5m $80) JPlay JCat Reference (1m $499) Kubala-Sosna Research Realization (1m $3500) Kubala-Sosna Sensation (1m $2200) Kimber Kable Axios (1m $900) Kimber Kable KS2436 (1m/$1195) Light Harmonic Lightspeed (1.6m $1399) Mytek ($100) Nordost Blue Heaven (1m $249; 3m $699) Nordost Heimdall 2 ($1m $499) Nordost Purple Flare (1m $200) Nordost Valhalla 2 (1m $3500) Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 (1m $50; 2m $70; 3m $90) Pranawire Photon (0.6m $995; 1.2m $1295) Purist Audio Design Ultimate (1m $995) Shunyata Research Sigma ($995) Shunyata Research Venom (.75m $125; 1.5m $195) Skogrand Beethoven (1.5m $14,000) Stealth Varidig Sextet (1m $3,000) Straightwire USB-Link (1m, $50; 1.5m, $60) Synergistic Research Galileo SX (1m $2995) Synergistic Research USB Active SEe w/ Enigma Tuning Circuits (1m $595) Transparent Audio Performance (1m $95) Wireworld Platinum Starlight (1m $599) Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (1m $700) Wireworld Silver Starlight (1m $275) Wywires Litespd (1.5m $799) Other Digital Cables 2019 Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and coaxial digital cables recommended in The Absolute Sound High-End Buyer's Guide 2020. Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU digital cable was used by Sasha Matson in a Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speaker review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Esperanto Audio S/PDIF coaxial cable and a DH Labs AES/EBU cable were used by John Atkinson in a NAD M10 integrated amplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Kimber Kable D60 Data Flex Studio coaxial cable was used by Herb Reichert in an Elac Carina BS243.4 speakers review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Kimber Kable AGDL coaxial cable was used by Tom Norton in a Monitor Audio Gold 300 speaker review in Stereophile, November 2019, Vol. 42, No. 11. 2017 Esperanto Audio Black S/PDIF coaxial cable was reviewed by Michael Zisserson at Positive Feedback website, Issue 91, May 5, 2017. 2016 Audioquest Hawkeye 75 Ohm and Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF digital cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Empirical Design ED-120 Coaxial 75 Ohm Digital cable is part of reviewer's Karl Schuster's stereo system as noted in his review of the Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable at theasolutesound.com in the downloadable Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried 5/15/2015): Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F digital cable (75 ohm) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable Kimber Orchid AES/EBU digital cable Kubala-Sosna Expression digital cable (75 Ohm) 2014 Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm digital cable was listed as associated equipment by Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile, July 2014. (Also, reviewed in 6moons.com, July 2010, by Srajan Ebaen.) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable was used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable and Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a Benchmark DAC2 HGC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and Coaxial Digital Cable in The Absolute Sound 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide (other digital cables) Source: Issue 237. Transparent XL Reference Digital Link cable (75 Ohm; 110 Ohm) in TAS Editor's Choice Awards 2014. Reviewed by Jacob Heilbrunn in TAS January 2014, Issue 239. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Analysis Plus Digital Oval Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU Kimber Orchid AES/EBU Kubala-Sosna Expression 2012 Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable won a 6Moons.com Blue Moon Award in September 2012. 2011 and Prior Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm Digital cable was reviewed by Rick Becker at EnjoyTheMusic.com in July 2006. Stereovox HDVX Coaxial Digital cable was reviewed favorably in Enjoy the Music.com in January 2004 by Todd Warnke. This site has several other cable reviews. Rick Becker, EnjoytheMusic.com, July 2010, reviewed three digital cables: Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF, Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF, and Teo Audio Liquid. Kimber D-60 digital cable (75 ohm). Audio Advisor states that this was a Stereophile recommended cable in 1996. Other Digital Cables Price List Analysis Plus Digital Oval 75 Ohm (1m $190) Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF (1.0/1.5m $199) Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU (1m $1200) Audioquest Hawkeye S/PDIF 75 Ohm (2m $200) Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm (1.23m $123) Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 Ohm (3ft $19) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU (1m $99) Empirical Design ED-120 coaxial 75 Ohm (3ft $96; 5ft $110; 8ft $131) Esperanto Audio S/PDIF coaxial (price unknown) Esperanto Audio Black S/PDIF coaxial ($1000) Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF (length unknown $1900) Kimber AGDL coaxial (1m $600) Kimber D-60 75 Ohm (.5m $228; 1m $390) Kimber Orchid AES/EBU (1m $757) Kubala-Sosna Expression (1m $775) Nordost Odin 2 75 Ohm or 110 Ohm (1.25m $11,000) Ocellia Reference Cables (1m $1027) Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF (1m $1250) Stereovox HDVX coaxial (1m $100 in yr. 2004) Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm (1m $150) Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU/coaxial (1m $300; 1.5m $400) Teo Audio Liquid (1m $749) Transparent XL Reference Digital Link (75 Ohm $3195; 110 Ohm $3595)

I own a pair. Designed by the great Andrew Jones, need I say more? Off the charts price to performance value. These are not budget speakers, they just have a budget price and deserve to be driven by quality electronics. Very musical with clear high notes and deeper bass than you would expect for their size and 5.25 inch driver. They rock out with rock and pop music. Particularly impressed with their reproduction of piano and guitar too. Somewhat power hungry, so mate with a quality amp of 80 wpc or more at 8 ohms for these speakers to reach their full potential. Use an amp that costs more than the speakers? In this case yes...you will be rewarded with superior sound. Some suggest that the Schitt Vidar amp ($799) is a good and economical match. Cheers, Phil C

USB and Other Digital Cables Round Up as of December 2019 Follow 0 This round up of USB and other digital cables is gleaned from various audiophile publications and Internet articles that I have happened upon over the years. I hope my fellow audiophiles will find this round up helpful, for instance, when narrowing down choices for a cable purchase. There are two sections: USB Cables and Other Digital Cables. Cables are listed by reference year. There is a price list after each section (prices may vary over time). Interestingly, prices range widely from $8.00 to over $3,000. There are a lot of cable choices in the market. Sources include "Recommended Components" and "Editors' Choices" lists and audio component reviews where the digital cable used in the evaluation system is mentioned. If a cable is listed frequently and over several years, my theory is that it may very well be a superior cable. USB Cables 2019 Audioquest Coffee USB cable was used by Sasha Matson in a Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speaker review and by Kalman Rubinson in a Benchmark LA4 preamplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable was used by Herb Reichert in an Elac Carina BS243.4 speaker review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Nordost Odin 1, Odin 2, and Valhalla 2 USB cables used by Jason Serinus in his Gryphon Ethos CD player & D/A processor review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Recommended USB cables listed in The Absolute Sound High-End Buyer's Guide 2020: Belkin Gold Series Audioquest Forest Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 Clarus Cable Crimson Nordost Heimdall 2 Shunyata Research Sigma (TAS editor Robert Harley's reference) Audience Frontrow Synergistic Research Galileo SX. Mytek USB cable was used by Ken Micallef in a Trenner & Friedl Osiris speaker review in Stereophile, November 2019, Vol. 42, No. 11. 2018 Nordost Purple Flare USB review by Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio website, October 2018. 2016 Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable used by Chris Connaker, editor Audiophilestyle.com, in his MQA review dated 2/5/2016. Audioquest Coffee, Nordost Blue Heaven, and Nordost Heimdahl 2.0 USB cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson is his review of the Apogee Electronics Groove DAC/headphone amp in Stereophile, January 2016, Vol. 39, No.1. Audience Au24 SE USB cable was reviewed by editor Robert Harley at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). He concluded, "priced at the very top end of the scale, but if you want a no-compromise USB cable, look no further." Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable was reviewed and highly recommended by Karl Schuster at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable received a Positivefeedback.com 2015 Brutus Award by editor David Robinson. He said it "is absolutely the best USB cable that I've heard to date. You can quote me on that…and you can take it to the bank." Audioquest Diamond, Wire World Platinum Starlight 7, and Nordost Purple Flare USB cables were used by John Connaker in his review of the Schitt Audio Yggdrasil DAC in ComputerAudiophile.com on November 3, 2015. Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable was reviewed by Steven Plaskin at Audiostream.com on October 22, 2015. He compared it to the Audioquest Diamond, Light Harmonic LightSpeed 10G USB, and Synergistic Research Galileo LE USB Cables. He said that it "receives my strongest accolades as the most satisfying USB cable I have had the pleasure to audition." The Shunyata Vemon and Audioquest Carbon USB cables were recommended as good matches with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC digital/analog converter by Steven Plaskin in the comments section of his review of the Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable (see above). DanaCable USB cable was reviewed by Wayne Donnelly at EnjoyTheMusic.com in the September 2015 edition. Clarus Crimson USB and Kimber Kable KS2436 USB cables were reviewed by Neil Gader on August 26, 2015 in a The Absolute Sound online review. He gave the Clarus Crimson USB a Golden Ear Award 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried May 15, 2015): AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable Transparent Audio Performance USB cable Shunyata Research Venom USB cable. Reviewed positively by Steven Plaskin, Audiostream.com, April 30, 2015. In the review, he mentioned the Belkin Pro Series USB cable negatively and called the Audioquest Diamond USB cable one of his favorites. 2014 DH Labs Silver Sonic USB, Cardas Clear USB, and Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7.0 USB cables were reviewed online by Jonathan Lo, EnjoyTheMusic.com, mid-December 2014. The Belkin Gold Series USB cable is also mentioned in comparison. Nordost Blue Heaven USB cable. Listed as associated equipment by Art Dudley, Stereophile, July 2014. Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Stealth Varidig Sextet USB cable, and the Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable were compared online by Andy Schaub, positive-feedback.com, Issue 72, March/April 2014. The Absolute Sound (TAS) 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide, Issue 237 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Audioquest Forest Belkin Gold Series Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight The Absolute Sound 2013 Editors’ Choice Awards, Issue 241, March 2014 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Belkin Gold Series Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight Audioquest Coffee and Belkin Gold USB cables were used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable was used in a Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC review in Audiostream online by Michael Lavorgna on February 24, 2014. Cardas Clear and DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cables were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Audioquest Diamond and Wireworld Sliver Starlight USB cables were used by Chris Connaker as associated equipment in recent reviews on 1/29/2014. Light Harmonic LightSpeed and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Bricasti Design M1 DAC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on January 20, 2014. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Audioquest Forest Transparent Audio Performance Pranawire Photon USB cable won a Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Award from editor David Robinson. He stated this is his new reference standard. Purist Audio Design Ultimate, Wywires Litespd, and Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cables won Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Awards from editor Dave Clark. Audioquest Diamond and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream.com, December 4, 2013. USB cables that Plaskin uses in his own high end system are: Audioquest Diamond and Light Harmonic LightSpeed. In Audiostream.com, there is a review of three cables titled “USB Cable Shootout” by Steven Plaskin, April 22, 2013: Audioquest Diamond Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable with Enigma Tuning Circuits Wireworld Platinum Starlight 2012 Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable won a TAS 2012 Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in the Sept. 2012 issue. Audioquest Diamond USB cable review in TAS March 2012 by editor Robert Harley. This is his reference cable. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable was reviewed favorably by Tom Gibbs in Positive Feedback, Issue 59, Jan/Feb 2012 edition. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable won a Goodsound/SoundStage! 2012 Great Buy Award. Reviewed by Hans Wetzel, January 1, 2012. Price List Of USB Cables Audience Au24 SE USB cable (length not specified; $895 single connector; $995 double connector) Audience Frontrow ($1300) Audioquest Carbon (0.75m $150; 1.5m $200) Audioquest Coffee (0.75m $279; 1.5m $349) Audioquest Cinnamon (0.75m $80; 1.75m $100) Audioquest Diamond (0.75m $600; 1.5m $760) Audioquest Forest (0.75m $35; 1.5m $50) Audioquest Forest iPod–USB cable (1.5m $39) Belkin Gold Series (1m $15) Belkin Pro Series (6ft $8.25) Cardas Clear (1m $168) Clarus Crimson (1m $250; 2m $350) DanaCable (2m $895) DH Labs Silver Sonic (1m $70; 1.5m $80) Kubala-Sosna Research Realization (1m $3500) Kimber Kable KS2436 (1m/$1195) Light Harmonic Lightspeed (1.6m $1399) Mytek ($100) Nordost Blue Heaven (1m $249; 3m $699) Nordost Heimdahl 2.0 (1m $499) Nordost Odin 1 Nordost Odin 2 Nordost Heimdall 2 ($1m $499) Nordost Purple Flare ($249) Nordost Valhalla 2 Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 (1m $50; 2m $70; 3m $90) Pranawire Photon (0.6m $995; 1.2m $1295) Purist Audio Design Ultimate (1m $995) Shunyata Research Sigma ($995) Shunyata Research Venom (.75m $125; 1.5m $195) Stealth Varidig Sextet (1m $3,000) Straightwire USB-Link (1m, $50; 1.5m, $60) Synergistic Research Galileo SX (1m $2995) Synergistic Research USB Active SEe w/ Enigma Tuning Circuits (1m $595) Transparent Audio Performance (1m $95) Wireworld Platinum Starlight (1m $599) Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (1m $700) Wireworld Silver Starlight (1m $275) Wywires Litespd (1.5m $799) Other Digital Cables Recommendations 2019 Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and coaxial digital cables recommended in The Absolute Sound High-End Buyer's Guide 2020. Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU digital cable was used by Sasha Matson in a Wilson Audio Sasha DAW speaker review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Esperanto Audio S/PDIF coaxial cable and a DH Labs AES/EBU cable were used by John Atkinson in a NAD M10 integrated amplifier review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Kimber Kable D60 Data Flex Studio coaxial cable was used by Herb Reichert in an Elac Carina BS243.4 speakers review in Stereophile, January 2020, Vol. 43, No. 1. Kimber Kable AGDL coaxial cable was used by Tom Norton in a Monitor Audio Gold 300 speaker review in Stereophile, November 2019, Vol. 42, No. 11. 2017 Esperanto Audio Black S/PDIF coaxial cable was reviewed by Michael Zisserson at Positive Feedback website, Issue 91, May 5, 2017. 2016 *Audioquest Hawkeye 75 Ohm and Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF digital cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Empirical Design ED-120 Coaxial 75 Ohm Digital cable is part of reviewer's Karl Schuster's stereo system as noted in his review of the Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable at theasolutesound.com in the downloadable Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried 5/15/2015): Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F digital cable (75 ohm) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable Kimber Orchid AES/EBU digital cable Kubala-Sosna Expression digital cable (75 Ohm) 2014 Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm digital cable (1.23m $123). Listed as associated equipment by Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile, July 2014. (Also, reviewed in 6moons.com, July 2010, by Srajan Ebaen.) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable was used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable and Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a Benchmark DAC2 HGC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and Coaxial Digital Cable in The Absolute Sound 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide (other digital cables) Source: Issue 237. Transparent XL Reference Digital Link cable (75 Ohm; 110 Ohm) in TAS Editor's Choice Awards 2014. Reviewed by Jacob Heilbrunn in TAS January 2014, Issue 239. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Analysis Plus Digital Oval Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU Kimber Orchid AES/EBU Kubala-Sosna Expression 2012 Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable won a 6Moons.com Blue Moon Award in September 2012. 2011 and Prior Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm Digital cable was reviewed by Rick Becker at EnjoyTheMusic.com in July 2006. Stereovox HDVX Coaxial Digital cable was reviewed favorably in Enjoy the Music.com in January 2004 by Todd Warnke. This site has several other cable reviews. Rick Becker, EnjoytheMusic.com, July 2010, reviewed three digital cables: Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF, Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF, and Teo Audio Liquid. Kimber D-60 digital cable (75 ohm). Audio Advisor states that this was a Stereophile recommended cable in 1996. Price List Of Other Digital Cables Analysis Plus Digital Oval 75 Ohm cable (1m $190) Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF digital cable (1.0/1.5m $199) Audioquest Diamond AES/EBU digital cable Audioquest Hawkeye S/PDIF 75 Ohm digital cable (2m $200) Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm cable (1.23m $123) Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 Ohm cable (3ft $19) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU cable (1m $99) Empirical Design ED-120 Coaxial 75 Ohm digital cable (3ft $96; 5ft $110; 8ft $131) Esperanto Audio S/PDIF coaxial cable Esperanto Audio Black S/PDIF coaxial cable ($1000) Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF digital cable (length unknown $1900) Kimber AGDL coaxial cable (1m $600) Kimber D-60 75 Ohm cable (.5m $228; 1m $390) Kimber Orchid AES/EBU cable (1m $757) Kubala-Sosna Expression cable (1m $775) Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable (1m $1027) Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF digital coaxial cable (1m $1250) Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable (1m $100 in yr. 2004) Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm digital cable (1m $150 in yr. 2006) Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU or coaxial cable (1m $300; 1.5m $400) Teo Audio Liquid digital cable (1m $749) Transparent XL Reference Digital Link cable (75 Ohm $3195 110 Ohm $3595)

Thanks for the answer Chris. BTW, Microsoft is now pushing the Creators Update patch. One of my PCs downloaded it as part of the May monthly update and is awaiting restart to complete installation. Microsoft is now very aggressive with the monthly updates. For Win 10 at least, there is no longer a menu of patches from which to pick and choose. All patches are now bunched into a monthly update, so we have a Hobson's choice to install the Creators Update patch as part of the monthly update or to not do the monthly update at all (rendering the computer more vulnerable to viruses and other nasties).

If I install Win 10 Creators Update, will it automatically replace the current USB driver that came with my Berkeley Alpha/Benchmark DAC as I expect it will? If so, will things still work okay, or can I expect to troubleshoot and make software settings changes? What are the odds? I use JRiver and iTunes as music servers.

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Interesting and well written article by Gilbert Klein, but one little correction: It was the Washington Times, not Washington Post, that named Spector the #2 greatest record producer of all time in the article, "Top 5 Knob-twiddlers" published July 4, 2008. The complete list in order is George Martin, Phil Spector, Quincy Jones, Jeff Lynne, and Brian Eno/Daniel Lanois. Spector was a musical genius; too bad he went off the rails. Top 5: Knob-twiddlers - Washington Times Phil C

USB and Other Digital Cables Round Up as of 2/5/2016 * Indicates an update since the previous posting. When it’s time to buy USB or other digital cables, what’s the first thing to do? Well, you’re likely to turn to the audiophile mags and Internet sources for reviews and opinions. Info is out there but scattered about, so here is a round up that doesn’t pretend to be comprehensive to assist you. This is what I wished I had when I was in the market for cables to assist in narrowing down my choices. So, I hope you find it helpful my audiophile friends. This round up is divided into a USB Cables section and an Other Digital Cables section. Items are listed by year and prices are listed after each section ranging from $8.25 to $3,595. “Recommended Components” and “Editors’ Choice” lists are a convenient source so some are listed here. Cables that audio reviewers state they use in their own audio systems are included too. For example, Stereophile magazine reviewers typically list digital cables in an associated equipment section of their reviews. Notice that some cables are recommended often; that's a good clue wouldn’t you think? USB Cables 2016 *Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable was used by Chris Connaker in his MQA review dated 2/5/2016 at http://www.computeraudiophile.com. *Audioquest Coffee, Nordost Blue Heaven, and Nordost Heimdahl 2.0 USB cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson is his review of the Apogee Electronics Groove DAC/headphone amp in Stereophile, January 2016, Vol. 39, No.1. Audience Au24 SE USB cable was reviewed by editor Robert Harley at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). He concluded, "priced at the very top end of the scale, but if you want a no-compromise USB cable, look no further." Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable was reviewed and highly recommended by Karl Schuster at theasolutesound.com in the Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015 (free download). Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable was given a Positivefeedback.com 2015 Brutus Award by editor David Robinson. He said it "is absolutely the best USB cable that I've heard to date. You can quote me on that…and you can take it to the bank." Audioquest Diamond, Wire World Platinum Starlight 7, and Nordost Purple Flare USB cables were used by John Connaker in his review of the Schitt Audio Yggdrasil DAC in ComputerAudiophile.com on November 3, 2015. Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable was reviewed by Steven Plaskin at Audiostream.com on October 22, 2015. He compared it to the Audioquest Diamond, Light Harmonic LightSpeed 10G USB, and Synergistic Research Galileo LE USB Cables. He said that it "receives my strongest accolades as the most satisfying USB cable I have had the pleasure to audition." The Shunyata Vemon and Audioquest Carbon USB cables were recommended as good matches with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC digital/analog converter by Steven Plaskin in the comments section of his review of the Kubala-Sosna Research Realization USB cable (see above). DanaCable USB cable was reviewed by Wayne Donnelly at EnjoyTheMusic.com in the September 2015 edition. Clarus Crimson USB and Kimber Kable KS2436 USB cables were reviewed by Neil Gader on August 26, 2015 in a The Absolute Sound online review. He gave the Clarus Crimson USB a Golden Ear Award 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried May 15, 2015): AudioQuest Forest iPod–USB cable Transparent Audio Performance USB cable Shunyata Research Venom USB cable. Reviewed positively by Steven Plaskin, Audiostream.com, April 30, 2015. In the review, he mentioned the Belkin Pro Series USB cable negatively and called the Audioquest Diamond USB cable one of his favorites. 2014 DH Labs Silver Sonic USB, Cardas Clear USB, and Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7.0 USB cables were reviewed online by Jonathan Lo, EnjoyTheMusic.com, mid-December 2014. The Belkin Gold Series USB cable is also mentioned in comparison. Nordost Blue Heaven USB cable. Listed as associated equipment by Art Dudley, Stereophile, July 2014. Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Stealth Varidig Sextet USB cable, and the Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable were compared online by Andy Schaub, positive-feedback.com, Issue 72, March/April 2014. The Absolute Sound (TAS) 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide, Issue 237 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Audioquest Forest Belkin Gold Series Straightwire USB-Link Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight The Absolute Sound 2013 Editors’ Choice Awards, Issue 241, March 2014 recommendations: Audioquest Carbon Audioquest Diamond Belkin Gold Series Wireworld Platinum Starlight Wireworld Silver Starlight Audioquest Coffee and Belkin Gold USB cables were used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a recent DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Audioquest Diamond and Cardas Clear USB cables were used by Jon Iverson as associated equipment in a recent DAC review. Source: Stereophile, March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable was used in the Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC review in Audiostream online by Michael Lavorgna on February 24, 2014. Cardas Clear and DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cables were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Audioquest Diamond and Wireworld Sliver Starlight USB cables were used by Chris Connaker as associated equipment in recent reviews on 1/29/2014. Light Harmonic LightSpeed and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Bricasti Design M1 DACunder review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on January 20, 2014. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Audioquest Forest Transparent Audio Performance Pranawire Photon USB cable won a Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Award from editor David Robinson. He stated that this is his new reference standard. Purist Audio Design Ultimate, Wywires Litespd, and Light Harmonic Lightspeed USB cables won Positive Feedback 2013 Brutus Awards from editor Dave Clark. Audioquest Diamond and Synergistic Research USB Active SE cables were deemed the best sounding match with the Benchmark DAC2 HGC under review by Steven Plaskin in Audiostream online on December 4, 2013. USB cables that Plaskin uses in his own high end system are: Audioquest Diamond and Light Harmonic LightSpeed. In Audiostream.com there is a review of three cables titled “USB Cable Shootout” by Steven Plaskin on April 22, 2013: Audioquest Diamond Synergistic Research USB Active SE cable with Enigma Tuning Circuits Wireworld Platinum Starlight 2012 Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable won a TAS 2012 Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in the Sept. 2012 issue. Audioquest Diamond USB cable review in TAS March 2012 by editor Robert Harley. This is his reference cable. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable was reviewed favorably by Tom Gibbs in Positive Feedback, Issue 59, Jan/Feb 2012 edition. DH Labs Silver Sonic USB cable won a Goodsound/SoundStage! 2012 Great Buy Award. Reviewed by Hans Wetzel on January 1, 2012. Price List Of USB Cables In This Round Up Audience Au24 SE USB cable (length not specified; $895 single connector; $995 double connector) Audioquest Carbon (0.75m $129; 1.5m $169) Audioquest Coffee (0.75m $279; 1.5m $349) Audioquest Diamond (0.75m $549; 1.5m $695) Audioquest Forest (0.75m $35; 1.5m $39) Audioquest Forest iPod–USB cable (1.5m $39) Belkin Gold Series (1m $15) Belkin Pro Series (6ft $8.25) Cardas Clear (1m $168) Clarus Crimson (1m $250; 2m $350) DanaCable (2m $895) DH Labs Silver Sonic (1m $70; 1.5m $80) Kubala-Sosna Research Realization (1m $3500) Kimber Kable KS2436 (1m/$1195) Light Harmonic Lightspeed (1.6m $1399) Nordost Blue Heaven (1m $249; 3m $699) Nordost Heimdahl 2.0 (1m $499) Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 (1m $50; 2m $70; 3m $90) Pranawire Photon (0.6m $995; 1.2m $1295) Purist Audio Design Ultimate (1m $995) Shunyata Research Venom (.75m $125; 1.5m $195) Stealth Varidig Sextet (1m $3,000) Straightwire USB-Link (1m, $50; 1.5m, $60) Synergistic Research USB Active SEe w/ Enigma Tuning Circuits (1m $595) Transparent Audio Performance (1m $95) Wireworld Platinum Starlight (1m $599) Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (1m $700) Wireworld Silver Starlight (1m $275) Wywires Litespd (1.5m $799) Other Digital Cables Recommendations 2016 *Audioquest Hawkeye 75 Ohm and Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF digital cables were used by Kirk Midtskog in a Hegel H360 amp review in The Absolute Sound, Feb. 2016, Issue 260. 2015 Empirical Design ED-120 Coaxial 75 Ohm Digital cable is part of reviewer's Karl Schuster's stereo system as noted in his review of the Oyaide d+ Class A USB 2.0 cable at theasolutesound.com in the downloadable Guide to Cables, Power Products, Accessories, & Music 2015. Stereophile online 2015 Recommended Components (queried 5/15/2015): Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F digital cable (75 ohm) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable Kimber Orchid AES/EBU digital cable Kubala-Sosna Expression digital cable (75 Ohm) 2014 Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm digital cable (1.23m $123). Listed as associated equipment by Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile, July 2014. (Also, reviewed in 6moons.com, July 2010, by Srajan Ebaen.) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable was used by Stereophile editor John Atkinson as associated equipment in a DAC review. Source: Stereophile March 2014, Vol. 37, No. 3. DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU digital cable and Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable were used by Erick Lichte as associated equipment in a Benchmark DAC2 HGC review. Source: Stereophile, February 2014, Vol. 37, No. 2. Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU and Coaxial Digital Cable in The Absolute Sound 2014 High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide (other digital cables) Source: Issue 237. Transparent XL Reference Digital Link cable (75 Ohm; 110 Ohm) in TAS Editor's Choice Awards 2014. Reviewed by Jacob Heilbrunn in TAS January 2014, Issue 239. 2013 Stereophile online 2013 Recommended Components: Analysis Plus Digital Oval Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 ohm DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU Kimber Orchid AES/EBU Kubala-Sosna Expression 2012 Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable won a 6Moons.com Blue Moon Award in September 2012. 2011 and Prior Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm Digital cable was reviewed by Rick Becker at EnjoyTheMusic.com in July 2006. Stereovox HDVX Coaxial Digital cable was reviewed favorably in Enjoy the Music.com in January 2004 by Todd Warnke. This site has several other cable reviews. Rick Becker, EnjoytheMusic.com, July 2010, reviewed three digital cables: Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF, Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF, and Teo Audio Liquid. Kimber D-60 digital cable (75 ohm). Audio Advisor states that this was a Stereophile recommended cable in 1996. Price List Of Other Digital Cables In This Round Up Analysis Plus Digital Oval 75 Ohm cable (1m $190) Audio Sensibility Statement S/PDIF digital cable (1.0/1.5m $199) Audioquest Hawkeye S/PDIF 75 Ohm digital cable (2m $200) Black Cat Veloce 75 Ohm cable (1.23m $123) Canare DigiFlex Gold model RCAPOO3F 75 Ohm cable (3ft $19) DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110 AES/EBU cable (1m $99) Empirical Design ED-120 Coaxial 75 Ohm digital cable (3ft $96; 5ft $110; 8ft $131) Harmonic Technology Photon S/PDIF digital cable (length unknown $1900) Kimber D-60 75 Ohm cable (.5m $228; 1m $390) Kimber Orchid AES/EBU cable (1m $757) Kubala-Sosna Expression cable (1m $775) Ocellia Reference Cables digital cable (1m $1027) Shunyata Anaconda Ztron S/PDIF digital coaxial cable (1m $1250) Stereovox HDVX coaxial cable (1m $100 in yr. 2004) Stereovox XV2 75 Ohm digital cable (1m $150 in yr. 2006) Straightwire Info-Link AES/EBU or coaxial cable (1m $220; 1.5m $280) Teo Audio Liquid digital cable (1m $749) Transparent XL Reference Digital Link cable (75 Ohm $3195; 110 Ohm $3595)

Audioquest Vodka CAT7 Ethernet cable is $339 for 1.5m. Next jump is the Diamond model at $1,195. Um, this extends the price range for Ethernet cable you might say. This was bound to happen when audiophiles began pollinating with digital audio. And, I don’t mean that in a bad way. I’m more worried about the picture in the gallery of the guy pulling cable and standing on a chair. Get yourself a proper ladder or stepstool. If that’s you Chris, we want you to be safe! Phil C

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