Maybe the best $ 140 ever spent .....


Please take look at my system.  Now, I have recently added the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC as a way to enjoy computer streaming with a minimal investment.  The huge majority of my listening pleasure comes from LP's and CD's, but I think that streaming is a great way to discover new music and to enjoy albums that I always wanted but never bought.  I started with MOG.com, and then switched to Rdio.com when MOG when out of business.  A few weeks ago, when Rdio folded, I signed on to Spotify Premium for $ 0.99 for three months (pretty much a no- brainer way to spend a buck.)  I started with a  5 m. Belkin Gold USB cable from my Mac Mini to the Emotive DAC ..... very nice sound of music which allowed me to really enjoy MOG and Rdio.  But since I switched to Spotify Premium ..... major upgrade.  

So, I figured "what the hell" and let's try the new AQ Jitterbug for $ 49.  Well, I gotta tell you .... a significant improvement !  Computer streaming finally sounding as good as CD quality ! Then, after reading a bunch of internet propaganda, I decided to change from my trustworthy Belkin Gold USB cable to the WireWorld Ultraviolet  ($ 90 for a 5 m. run) and see if it made a difference.  Holy Cow !  An almost unbelievable difference !  Greater dynamics, a deeper and more focused bottom end, a mid range to die for, smoother treble, a wider and deeper soundstage, and an astonishing leap ahead in resolution and clarity.  So, my dear friends, for a total investment of only $ 139, I have transformed my streaming music listening pleasure from an "okay" activity to a point where I'm streaming way more often than I'm listening to CD's (over a thousand) or LP's (over 500) ..... I am totally amazed !  By the way, I have absolutely no affiliation with Spotify Premium, AQ jitterbug, or WireWorld .... I'm just a very, very happy music lover !
adam18
Great to hear.  I use Wireworld USB cables, Starlight 7s, in my main system and have used the Belkins in secondary ones.  Five meters is a very long run for USB and I don’t question the value of better cables in that situation. Would be better to shorten the run however.
Thanks Mesch.  Yup, I think the WireWorld Ultraviolet 7 is a pretty special USB cable.  As far as the 5 meter length goes, I don't have the option of using a shorter cable, as I keep my computer next to my listening chair, and I need the length to reach the DAC on my equipment rack.
@adam18 Which system are you talking about? What speakers are you streaming Spotify to?
Hi Justin ..... my current system is the "beautiful music ... updated system" on my page.  So it's Spotify Premium from my Mac computer, through the WireWorld Ultraviolet 7 USB cable, into the Emotive XDA2 DAC (not yet described on my system page), through AudioQuest Sidewinder IC's, into my Rogue Audio Cronus integrated amp, through Paul Speltz Anti-cable speaker cables, and finally out of my Revel F12 speakers.