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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
1,080 posts
 

@danmar123 I don’t know about the cat8M, but $1300 vs. about $550 for the same 1.5m length Sablon 2020? 

@audphile1 please do! I only had that SoTM Cat7 as a reference, (*edit* forgot I had the Audio Sensibility Supra with telegartner's before the SoTM) but it was one of those 5 second clearly audible differences, and a shake of my head as to why I didn’t do it 2 years ago. The SoTM is already sold. Anytime someone can get more inner detail and yet a more natural, smoother sound for under $500 it is a no-brainer in my books. Is that due to the hand polishing of the conductors? No idea! Mark (Sablon owner) must have an excellent set of ears. 28 day trial! 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
749 posts
 

I had a Sablon 2020 by accident, I bought a RAL used and he sent me the Sablon by mistake. I listened to it for about a week while we got it corrected. When my Revelation Audio Labs Ethernet cable arrived it was better. Much smoother yet detailed and airy. I didn’t particularly care for the Sablon in comparison. Everything is different in different systems.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,934 posts
 

Yeah and especially when it comes to network stuff it’s a crapshoot

danmar123's avatar
danmar123
628 posts
 

@fthompson251, what are you doing to me? Lol As I'm sitting here listening to Lee Morgans side winder track every instrument is clear as day..The separation is on que. Bob Cranshaw playing the double bass is tight & not muffled. Billy Higgins playing the drums are as if he's playing right in front of me to the left.

This Chineese Pure Silv8er ethernet cable is shining at the moment. For a Lil over $100.00 it's working for me right now. I guess it's all about the recording. 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
1,080 posts
 

@fthompson251 I know you no longer have it, but you are sure it was the 2020 version, and not the prior panatela version? 

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