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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
 

I never knew a simple USB could have a huge impact.  

I've had my Audience FrontRow USB playing for 100 hrs now and while it's gotten better I still prefer my Anzus X2 USB. 

The Audience offers a more relaxed presentation but at the expense of dynamics - the notes are rounded and the leading edges are restrained. For example, the attack on cymbals and the snare drum on Tord Gustavsen Trio's album "The Other Side" are no longer in the spotlight like they are with my Ansuz X2 USB. The sound of fingers moving across the fret board on an acoustic guitar is masked and very apparent on tracks by Tommy Berre or Emilio Bonito and others. 

Transient speed, incisive detail and dynamics are areas where my Ansuz X2 excels. On my system the Ansuz X2 is more alive, exciting and engaging. And this USB is Anzus entry cable, imagine that!

rsf507
2,577 posts
 

@fire_water ​I never knew a simple USB could have a huge impact.  

Every cable makes a difference, just ask @signaforce especially the USB cable he has settled on. ​​​​​​

fire_water's avatar
fire_water
238 posts
 

@rsf507 that goes without saying! My new custom FURUTECH DPS-4.1 (OCC-DUC) 11AWG Power Cable with Furutech AC FI-50/50M-NCF(R) plugs is put of this world! I'm very happy with it. It's replacing the factory power cable for my Innuos Pulsar. 

It's all about synergy and the Audience FrontRow USB is not a good match for my Innuos Pulsar and Accuphase DC-37 DAC, possibly for bright systems but not mine. I feel that my Ansuz USB allows the Pulsar to be itself and deliver what the Accuphase needs. 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
1,080 posts
 

My new custom FURUTECH DPS-4.1 (OCC-DUC) 11AWG Power Cable with Furutech AC FI-50/50M-NCF(R) plugs is put of this world! I’m very happy with it.

I’ve read really good comments about this power cord over the years, I have yet to try it. So many choices out there!

 

It’s replacing the factory power cable for my Innuos Pulsar. 

Yeah. Not surprising then. wink Again, give her 200 hours to mature. And it may get worse before it gets much better; kind of like a stock market graph over a few decades. 

steakster
2,176 posts
 
signaforce OP

 . . .   I truly believe that without a complete redo, this is the very best my system can sound.

Congratulations!   You’ve just finished the heavy lifting with component & cable selection.  Tweaking TBD.  wink

Okay, instrumentals sound great.  yes  How about vocals?   When Andrea Bocelli or Barbra Streisand belt out a high note in fortissimo, do their voices sound natural - or buzz?

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