USB cable recommendations

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. 

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. 

more life, detail,  PRAT, and more engaging. 

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. 

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/cables-reviews/reviews-digital-cable/ansuz-a3-and-x3-usb-cables/

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.  

 The Audience FrontRow USB was only a few hours old

@fire_water Yeah, get in the habit of giving everything at least 100 hours, in most cases 200 hours before coming to any conclusions, and especially not writing it down. If it is a Furutech GTX outlet, (or anything with NCF in it from what I gather) more like 500 hours. 

I have experienced the above with components and cables, but tubes? I just burned in a Mullard 7308 tube that radically changed between 40 and 50 hours (for the better). Everything I have read regarding that tube, and other input/signal tubes stated a few hours, 20 hours tops, whereas larger power tubes may be up to 200 hours. Of course there are many comments from people stating there is no change, but well, you know, they don't know. 

I called Brent Jessee to ask his experiences and he confirmed all tubes could take upwards of 100 hours. Now I know. 

​​​To @mclinnguy ‘s point the 100hr mark is usually when you get an idea of what type of sound you’re dealing with. 

I like to run cables in for at least 1 week streaming internet radio or playlist on repeat. These cables take time. My StudioOne was dull sounding out of the box. Took time to settle. USB cable is the easiest to break in since only streamer and DAC need to be on. 

@fire_water 

You may have missed my suggestion to OP to try Final Touch Audio’s Callisto USB. Their digital cables (both USB and Ethernet) are what I consider end-game without costing a small fortune.

Choose Callisto USB, if you’re looking for a smooth, fluid, lyrical, and musically engaging presentation.

Choose Sinope USB,  if you’re after stronger dynamic impact, deeper bass, and clearer rhythmic drive, with a more precise and expressive delivery. Keep in mind that with silver in the mix, Sinope can sound more alive and propulsive, with phase information and imaging pushed slightly forward or in your face.

For me, both the Métis (LAN) and Callisto USB remain my references to this day.