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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
fire_water's avatar
fire_water
238 posts
 

@audphile1 I decided not to listen to it until it's broken in so only the streamer DAC are running. 

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,618 posts
 

Being part of several audio get togethers Audience front row usb is Avery solid high end performer

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,936 posts
 

@fire_water 👍

gkr7007's avatar
gkr7007
165 posts
 

Mad Scientist latest White Magic was an immediate and obvious positive improvement with my Lampizator DAC.

fire_water's avatar
fire_water
238 posts
 

Ok so here we go. This is my update.  Its a long one.

The new Audience FrontRow USB now has just over 50 hours on it. It's gotten a little better than it was right out of the box, not as dynamic as my 2 year old Ansuz X2, but a little better now. The lower registers have more authority than before but the upper registers are still subdued. 

I'm listening to Tord Gustavsen Trio's The Other Side for example and the attack on the snare drum and cymbals are too polite and the notes don't have that silky sustain and decay like they do with my Ansuz X2. 

Ansuz X2 definitely continues to win me over. It's highly resolving, more dynamic and alive. The transients are quick and I love that snap, crackle and pop effect. I love the open highs and that natural, effortless silky flow on percussive and cymbals. The extension of sustain and decay is absolutely intoxicating. 

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