USB cable comparisons

[Jking]

I think they are used as patch cables for USB routers.  The 100 ohms would not be out spec because USB is 90 ohms (+-15%),  this is 100 ohms (+-5%).  It works fine for me you don't have buy one...  I'll see if I can dig up the schematic; it shows how they are wired.

[johndoe21ro]

21 hours ago, reverendo said:

Gentlemen, I think we have had enough fun with the off-topic discussion. It was interesting and mostly civil, but I would suggest we get back to the topic of the thread, which is comparison of USB cables and their sonic impact upon our systems.

I anyone wants to question the premises for this endeavor, they are welcome to do so in a new thread, but, from now on, please refrain from taking this topic hostage. I will gladly participate in any other thread that will be created in regards to this interesting topic, but, from now on, I will report further off-topic comments.

Thanks so much in advance.

Reverendo, I'm looking forward to your Gekko USB cable comparison (not the black entry-level one you have already tested)! 

 

[Allan F]

2 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

My humor didn’t come through correctly. Sal used the word entitled amd I couldn’t resist using it back. ?

I suppose you could include an emoticon like this to capture that intended state of mind.

[The Computer Audiophile]

All off topic stuff will be removed. Save yourself time and keep the thoughts in your head. 

[esldude]

snip......Save yourself time and keep the thoughts in your head. 

 

Okay, maybe a motto for the forum going forward.  Or rather not going forward.  As this is off topic I suppose you and I are the only ones who will read it. 

[seeteeyou]

It's mighty interesting to see how they managed to improve SQ after that 5Gbps Lindy USB 3.1 Gen 1 cable was replaced by 10Gbps Delock USB 3.1 Gen 2 cable

 

http://www.my-hiend.com/vbb/showthread.php?5404-走向超值而極緻的-HI-FI電腦訊源（連載）&p=235687#post235687

https://www.delock.de/produkte/981_Typ-A-Stecker---Typ-A-Stecker/83981/merkmale.html?setLanguage=en

https://www.delock.de/produkte/981_Typ-A-Stecker---Typ-A-Stecker/83982/merkmale.html?setLanguage=en

https://www.lindy-international.com/0-5m-Cromo-USB-3-0-3-1-Cable-Type-A-A.htm?websale8=ld0101.ld020102&pi=36625

https://www.lindy-international.com/1m-Cromo-USB-3-0-3-1-Cable-Type-A-A.htm?websale8=ld0101.ld020102&pi=36626

 

Here's the setup back then when Delock wasn't available yet, they're also taping all USB 2.0 pins for the sake of SQ

 

http://www.my-hiend.com/psycho/U3TT.jpg

http://www.my-hiend.com/vbb/showthread.php?5404-走向超值而極緻的-HI-FI電腦訊源（連載）&p=228538#post228538

 

Relatively new DACs (such as iFi Pro iDSD) do support USB 3.0 and therefore it's no longer necessary to add any adapters

 

http://www.adnaco.com/doc/Adnaco-SU1-DS.pdf

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=535913193820

https://www.lindy-international.com/USB-2-0-Adapter-for-USB-3-0-AOC-Cables.htm?websale8=ld0101.ld020102&pi=42682

[asdf1000]

26 minutes ago, seeteeyou said:

Relatively new DACs (such as iFi Pro iDSD) do support USB 3.0 and therefore it's no longer necessary to add any adapters

 

iFi have been supporting USB 3.0 connectors since the iDAC and maybe earlier...

 

https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-idac2/

 

[HumanMedia]

Has anyone tried the Pangea Premier XL USB?

[lmitche]

47 minutes ago, HumanMedia said:

Has anyone tried the Pangea Premier XL USB?

I had one here. My hope of improving SQ with a split cable were dashed after break-in and  first listen. It was returned. YMMV.

[HumanMedia]

1 hour ago, lmitche said:

I had one here. My hope of improving SQ with a split cable were dashed after break-in and  first listen. It was returned. YMMV.

 

 

Thank you for your findings.

 

I asked about it a few weeks ago, before the trolls came and fouled the nest, but Ill re-ask as surely someone has tried it - does anyone have experience with the Chord Shawline USB cable?

 

[str-1]

8 hours ago, lmitche said:

I had one here. My hope of improving SQ with a split cable were dashed after break-in and  first listen. It was returned. YMMV.

How did this cable let itself down in your system?

 

I’m decided on getting a Sablon Panetella Reserva Elite cable after recently comparing it with my Lush and Curious cables but first want to hear back from SOtM with their thoughts on me taking advantage of both of the tX-USBultra’s USB outputs with a cable like the Pangea Premier XL.  

 

The Panatela has separate runs of cable for data and power between the A and B connectors and I am wondering if I can get even better performance from this cable by giving each run its own A connector.  The idea being that I would connect the data line to a tX-U output with 5v turned off and connect the power line to the other powered output.  My Paul Hynes SR4 should have enough grunt (2.5A continuous at 9V) to comfortably drive both outputs, though not sure if much extra power is needed to do this.

[Shanepj]

18 hours ago, HumanMedia said:

 

 

Thank you for your findings.

 

I asked about it a few weeks ago, before the trolls came and fouled the nest, but Ill re-ask as surely someone has tried it - does anyone have experience with the Chord Shawline USB cable?

 

I use the signature aray at home and had tried it against the c-line. At home, this cable easily delivered better placement, yet when I tried it on a LMS (lesser musical system), it was almost indistinguishable to the c-line cable, which was a little alarming considering the price differences (LMS: i5 Laptop, JRiver, Arcam a39, teac UD-501 and Kef R700, Chord cabling - Music: Standard CD (accurate rip - wav files) plus 96/24 & 192/24 files)

 

So, if I was struggling to experience  a difference on a LMS. I would say that in order to experience a better result, you’d need the right level of toys between it to appreciate what it can do. £2.5k - £3.5k might not be enough to experience what the cable has to offer as I didn’t experience a difference

 

hope that helps 

[HumanMedia]

4 hours ago, Shanepj said:

I use the signature aray at home and had tried it against the c-line. At home, this cable easily delivered better placement, yet when I tried it on a LMS (lesser musical system), it was almost indistinguishable to the c-line cable, which was a little alarming considering the price differences (LMS: i5 Laptop, JRiver, Arcam a39, teac UD-501 and Kef R700, Chord cabling - Music: Standard CD (accurate rip - wav files) plus 96/24 & 192/24 files)

 

So, if I was struggling to experience  a difference on a LMS. I would say that in order to experience a better result, you’d need the right level of toys between it to appreciate what it can do. £2.5k - £3.5k might not be enough to experience what the cable has to offer as I didn’t experience a difference

 

hope that helps 

 

Hugely helpful.

How would you characterise the differences when you could hear them?

You mention better placement (soundstage?), are there any tonal differences across the frequency range? Any textural differences?  All or any further details would be great.

[Taz777]

I posted this in another thread but it would seem to be useful here. I've had issues with noise appearing at my active speakers (system is computer --> DAC --> active speakers). The computer is connected via a USB cable to the DAC. I've tried several and the one with the lowest noise was a fairly cheap Fisual USB 2.0 A-B cable. It's double-shielded and has all but removed the interference noise that I was hearing at my speakers. If I put back any of the other USB cables then the noise comes back.

 

It's this one here: https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/6249/fisual-havana-usb-2-0-cable-0-9m/

 

A very cost-effective upgrade for me. In terms of sound difference, it has lifted the sound which was a little flat and there are better highs and lows now, a little more depth and a simply more musical sound.

[Shanepj]

18 hours ago, HumanMedia said:

 

Hugely helpful.

How would you characterise the differences when you could hear them?

You mention better placement (soundstage?), are there any tonal differences across the frequency range? Any textural differences?  All or any further details would be great.

Yeah, the soundstage was further improved allowing me to better place where record producer wanted the band members. As for frequencies and textures, I didn’t detect anything

[Shanepj]

5 hours ago, Taz777 said:

I posted this in another thread but it would seem to be useful here. I've had issues with noise appearing at my active speakers (system is computer --> DAC --> active speakers). The computer is connected via a USB cable to the DAC. I've tried several and the one with the lowest noise was a fairly cheap Fisual USB 2.0 A-B cable. It's double-shielded and has all but removed the interference noise that I was hearing at my speakers. If I put back any of the other USB cables then the noise comes back.

 

It's this one here: https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/6249/fisual-havana-usb-2-0-cable-0-9m/

 

A very cost-effective upgrade for me. In terms of sound difference, it has lifted the sound which was a little flat and there are better highs and lows now, a little more depth and a simply more musical sound.

As all cables are basically aerials, unwanted interference can be a problem and although a digital cable is either sending information or not,  I would surmise that the shielding on the Fisual cable is doing it job properly. 

 

On another note, I would try and find out where the unwanted interference is coming from as you may further improve what you have already experienced 

[HumanMedia]

13 hours ago, Taz777 said:

I posted this in another thread but it would seem to be useful here. I've had issues with noise appearing at my active speakers (system is computer --> DAC --> active speakers). The computer is connected via a USB cable to the DAC. I've tried several and the one with the lowest noise was a fairly cheap Fisual USB 2.0 A-B cable. It's double-shielded and has all but removed the interference noise that I was hearing at my speakers. If I put back any of the other USB cables then the noise comes back.

 

It's this one here: https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/6249/fisual-havana-usb-2-0-cable-0-9m/

 

A very cost-effective upgrade for me. In terms of sound difference, it has lifted the sound which was a little flat and there are better highs and lows now, a little more depth and a simply more musical sound.

 

Very interesting, thanks for reposting here. I’ve never heard of this one. I’m particularly interested in these budget cables. Surely someone will make a tightly specced low cost USB that also sounds good? The Chord is the best I’ve found so far from all of the low end cables I’ve tried. Actually the UpTone USBPC is the best but I cant use that anymore due to space constraints and it physical limitations.

 

Fingers crossed UpTone do a short length flexible connector that they have alluded to in the past. Or someone else does and doesn’t charge insulting prices for it. I will have to try the Fisual.

[Allan F]

22 hours ago, Shanepj said:

On another note, I would try and find out where the unwanted interference is coming from as you may further improve what you have already experienced 

 

Eliminating the noise at its source is, of course, preferable. Also, have you tried placing a ferrite core around USB cable close to the where it enters the DAC? If you can otherwise get rid of the noise, you might find that improved sound quality is achievable with a better USB cable.

[Taz777]

On 9/27/2018 at 7:20 PM, Shanepj said:

On another note, I would try and find out where the unwanted interference is coming from as you may further improve what you have already experienced 

 

I did some experimenting today and the issue is the right digital audio channel out of the iMac's USB port. I swapped my active speakers around and the noise at maximum gain on the speakers was still present in the right speaker. I swapped XLR cables around - same results. At 0dB volume gain on there speakers I don't hear it and that's fine for me. It just seems to be a shortcoming of the 2017 iMac computer and Apple doesn't provide any other means of digital output on that particular model.

 

I also tried using other USB ports to no avail. I've gone through five different USB cables (four A-B and one C-B), three sets of interconnects from DAC to speakers (XLR-XLR, RCA-RCA, RCA-XLR). The Fisual USB 2.0 A-B from iMac to DAC provided me with the cleanest sound from my iMac to my DAC. Just looking at the cable I can see that it is a thick and fairly stiff cable so is substantially made.

[Jon47]

Hi, Does anyone own, or has demo'd a Hemingway Audio USB cable from Korea.  Looking for comparisons against cables of a similar price, and or performance at this tier.  Thanks in advance.

[reverendo]

Just wanted to update you guys on my latest USB cable comparison:

I compared the FTA Callisto USB cable to the Light Harmonic Lightspeed 10G and the entry-level Gekko USB cables in my system. The Gekko had replaced the Lightspeed in my system because of a more resolved and quiet midrange. Nonetheless, the LF and HF of the Lightspeed were better than the Gekko and I started to look for something that would have the best of both worlds. I had the opportunity to get to know this cable and can now say that I found what I was looking for. It did take a while though.
The first cable I received was clearly inferior to both my cables and after a burn-in process I concluded that there either had to be a defect or it was simply plain bad. I reached out and they were extremely forthcoming in sending me a new one, trusting that I would compare both and send either one or both back, the latter in case it was not a defect.
After receiving the second one I inserted it without any burn-in into the system and compared right away with the Lightspeed, since that was the one which would need to be surpassed on all levels to make it worth my while. Right from the start it was on par with the LS, which was very surprising, since all USB cables have benefited from burn-in here at home, which bode well for a future comparison. 150 + hours later I sat down to do the real comparison and here are my findings:

• much better LF than the LS. not only deeper, but more accurate and, at the same time, more natural. transient attack was on the same level, but now had a more real texture and body
• mids were far more resolved, more calm, settled and poised. I gained considerable depth, a little bit more even than with the Gekko, which had been its major selling point for me. texture was more refined and even tone was better.
• the whole sound picture was now more integrated and cohesive
• HF on the LS, which had always been unsurpassed, now sounded slightly smeared, more specifically in the HF bloom and decay of harmonics, which now were more natural and well-reproduced.

Needless to say, that I won't be taking this out of my system, unless I find a worthy competitor. The Callisto definitely took away the itch and completely dethroned a cable that I have been using for almost 6 years. It is one level above any other USB cable I have had the chance to listen to in my system. Of course, ymmv, but I would strongly suggest anyone looking for a top-level USB cable to give this one a look.

Hope this helps someone. I do know it won't help me sell my Lightspeed, but I'll find another use for it.

[Blake]

15 hours ago, reverendo said:

Just wanted to update you guys on my latest USB cable comparison:

I compared the FTA Callisto USB cable to the Light Harmonic Lightspeed 10G and the entry-level Gekko USB cables in my system.

 

Terrific write up and a great description of the sonic impacts.  How much is the Callisto?

 

[reverendo]

30 minutes ago, Blake said:

 

Terrific write up and a great description of the sonic impacts.  How much is the Callisto?

 

oops, forgot to mention that. 750 Euro (app. US$850) for 1m. not cheap, but again, less than the cable it clearly surpassed.

[matthias]

On 12/13/2018 at 6:14 PM, reverendo said:

oops, forgot to mention that. 750 Euro (app. US$850) for 1m. not cheap, but again, less than the cable it clearly surpassed.

 

Do FTA have a homepage or any info about on the web?

Thanks

 

Matt

[matthias]

On 12/13/2018 at 6:14 PM, reverendo said:

750 Euro (app. US$850) for 1m. not cheap, but again, less than the cable it clearly surpassed.

 

Any comparison to an appreciated cheaper cable, maybe the original Lush?

Thanks

 

Matt