I am amazed at what a difference a cable can make carrying x’s & o’s. It defies logic. Jitter, USB lock & EMI? Mirrors & magic? IDK, and wasn’t before, but I am now firmly in the ‘trust your ears’ camp.
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!
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- 180 posts total
@fire_water is the cable new? |
@signaforce yes USB cables make a big difference. Ethernet cables do as well. |
Yes, some of us have become audiophiles, and ignore the numbers, graphs, and ingredients in the construction and use our ears, and well, others with zero experience "believe" they have the answers. In the case of Ansuz at least the difference from their lower end and higher end cables can easily be explained by tesla coils. @fire_water you may be interested in the review below, I am surprised as those prices for Ansuz USB cables are quite reasonable; some of their cables get ridiculously expensive.
Alternatively, If that is what you are looking for the Network Acoustics Muon 2 might be up your alley. I use the NA Muon (1) usb and it sounds very neutral to me, I mean that as a positive- I don't believe I hear it at all, it gets out of the way, therefore I have zero issues with it, but I have nothing to compare it to. Christiaan is the best reviewer going, and has multiple USB cable reviews. I just re-read his Jorma usb review, while that is beyond my budget, it sounds like it would be right up your alley @lalitk . I do love my Jorma AES cable! |
@audphile1 thanks for your response. The Audience FrontRow USB was only a few hours old but it sounds veiled and suppressed vs my 2 year old Ansuz X2 USB which is detailed, incredible PRAT, intoxicating and engaging. I do notice with the Audience that while the treble ie cymbals roll off, the mids are more throaty like more "meat on the bone" but at the expense of resolution. |
- 180 posts total