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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
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,967 posts
 

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

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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. 
 

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
554 posts
 

@audphile1 Thanks. I was targeting the Kimber Select. You are recommending the Kimber Carbon. Interesting. 

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audphile1
7,967 posts
 

@signaforce 
I first bought the Carbon tonearm cable and loved it. RCAs. 
I was considering KS1116 copper or Carbon. I spoke to Kimber rep and he advised that both cables are very close. I figured I loved the Carbon tonearm cables so I went for the matching XLRs. 
I had KS1126 silver copper hybrid. Really liked it but it was just a tad sibilant due to silver. I think KS1116 will kick butt. But the Carbon are so darn good that I’m struggling to justify KS. 

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