USB cable recommendations

Just make sure it’s a USB 3. 🙏

I recently purchased a DH Labs Mirage USB A to C cable to replace a quite good custom cable to connect my Innuous Stream 1 with Phoenix USB module (and LlPS1 power supply) to my Schiit Audio Gungnir 2 DAC > Silversmith fidelium balanced to Rogue Audio RP-7 preamp.  The improvement was immediately noticeable.  Better definition and tonal qualities of instruments; the sound stage was already quite good, so I did not notice any significant change there.  All in all, I feel it was a significant improvement at a modest expense, under $300.

@signaforce 

Several years ago, I connected my Windows 10 laptop to my (then) new DAC, via an Audioquest Diamond USB cable -- no regrets.

Just for kicks, I swapped it with a mass produced USB cable, and the sound quality went from wonderful to unlistenable.  And that cable is used for my daily-driver computer’s USB hub.  No problems there.  But for connecting to my DAC it was horrible (likely due to transferring loads of noise).

The store where I purchased the Audioquest Diamond USB cable sold it to me at a deep discount.  I had bargaining power, because I was purchasing the DAC from them.  Apparently, there is a huge mark-up on the cable.  I think that I got 50% off (hard to remember).

I also had peace-of-mind, knowing that I was getting a genuine Audioquest cable (not an Amazon or eBay, etc, possibly counterfeit cable).

Note that Audioquest does use China, in part, for manufacturing many of its cables.  But Audioquest ensures that whether manufactured in the USA or in China, the completed cables meet the same build specifications and quality control procedures.

I wish that I could audition other quality USB cables.  But I have no one to loan me any.  Supposedly the Shunyata Research Sigma-X and Omega-X cables are top-tier (with a price to match).  But I never heard one.

When I recently added a Berkeley Audio Design, Alpha USB Series 2 re-clocker, between my laptop and my DAC, the store (not the one where I purchased my DAC and my Audioquest Diamond USB cable) personnel asked me which USB cable I was using (they sold Shunyata Research products).  When I told them that I had the Audioquest Diamond USB cable, they said that I am in good shape, and did not try to sell me a replacement USB cable.  That confirmed that they respected that Audioquest Diamond USB cable.

In my system, I preferred the JCAT Signature USB to the AQ Diamond in a head to head comparison.