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USB cable recommendations

I recently purchased the Bricasti M3 for my system & am looking to upgrade my A-B USB cable. I currently have 2 USB cables that I used with my prior DAC (Qutest), a Cardas Clear that I preferred with my Qutest & an XLO ultra plus that I far prefer with my M3. It is OCC copper & actually sounds very good, but wondering if I can do better. 
My target price is around $500 used, certainly willing to do less & willing to do more for the ’right’ cable. I am looking for a cable that is absolutely neutral.
I actually tried to buy an AQ diamond used yesterday, but was 2 hours late. Not sure if it was the right choice, but it was a great price & could resell if not right.

My virtual system is available, but my digital side is: Aurender N150 > XLO ultra+ > Bricasti M3 > Zavfino Arcadia > PSAudio BHK w/tele medical NOS tubes > Zavfino Fusion mk2 > SimAudio Moon 330A > Transparent + gen 5 > KEF Reference 3’s.

Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!

signaforce
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signaforce OP
554 posts
 

@lanx0003 @foggyus91 Thanks!

@lalitk Thanks! I really like my new M3. loved the reviews of the FTA… sounds perfect. Patience is not my strong suit. There is a new one I would buy for $700 on USAM, but it is a little short. I could get away with it, but really should have the 1.3M. Maybe I will be patient. Thanks!
@audphile1 Excellent recommendations as always. If I had to buy the AQ new, would probably opt for the FTA new. The studio one is compelling & available used. Thanks! 

jc4659
617 posts
 

@signaforce Not usb but another cable you might want to consider changing is the Zavfino arcadia to Zavfino fusion from DAC to preamp.  Or, maybe you've done it already but you can try swapping the position of the arcadia and fusion.  I've owned both and the fusion is a better cable, at least it was in my system. They are truly a good value cable.

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audphile1
7,967 posts
 

@signaforce if you see a used StudioOne it’s definitely worth trying. 

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
554 posts
 

@jc4659 Thanks, probably agree. Background: Before the M3 arrived, I needed another XLR, so  ordered the Arcadia as a stop gap until I figured out my interconnect strategy. OCC copper, relatively inexpensive. I installed it early pre to amp to begin to burn it in, replacing my mogami 2549. I got instant improvement, so decided to order a 2nd. Zavfino mistakenly shipped the Fusion.
I did a chatGPT search and it thought the combination was perfect, as long as I used the Arcadia from DAC to pre & fusion pre to amp. Logic being all copper OCC sound signature best for M3, speed of fusion best for amp.
Could be BS, but I love the sound. 

@audphile1 2M one at TMC. Longer than I need, & priced a little high, but may pull the trigger. Thanks 

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audphile1
7,967 posts
 

@signaforce cool

hey if I may…on XLRs…

Try Kimber Carbon XLR interconnects. Kimber offers 60 days return.
I recently bought Carbon tonearm cables and XLRs to use on my phono stage.
I burned them in on my DAC where they replaced a significantly more expensive Nordost Tyr 2.

Irrespective of price, top 3 I ever heard in my system.
I also replaced two Nordost Frey 2 power cords with Kimber PK14 Acent on DAC and PK10 Ascent on amp.

My highest recommendation- design, technology, experience, customer service, sound. To me Kimber cables are in a different league from Zavfino. 
 

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