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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
mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
1,081 posts
 

 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. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,937 posts
 

​​​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. 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,180 posts
 

@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.

westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

wondering if any USB cables recommended by fellow agones are certified: https://www.usb.org/products 

fire_water's avatar
fire_water
238 posts
 

@lalitk the dealer encouraged me to wait,  continue streaming 24/7 and let the cable burn in over the course of the next 7 days and see what happens. And if I'm not happy returns it less 15% restocking fees or jump up the chain in Anzus from my current X2 seeing i like the sound signature. Honestly this new Audience FrontRow is horrible.  It's as if my system and spkrs are broken lol

 

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