As file based audio is gaining momentum and many believe asynchronous USB the way to go there is a growing market for audiophile grade USB cables.
The question of course is why a cable can have any impact on sound quality.
Some say that improved jitter performance of a cable can make a difference.
Others say that the reason we use asynchronous USB is exactly to have zero input jitter at the DAC so all what is happening upstream is irrelevant cable included.
Audiophile USB cables are becoming as controversial as high-end power cords.
Much debate on the audio forums, measurements are rare.
Marlene’s Musings is one of the very few resources I know measuring USB cable performance.
Noise, standard cable, from SoundBlaster to ASUS: very low noisefloor
Noise, Audioquest Forest USB cable, from SoundBlaster to ASUS: much higher again on lower frequencies.
Obvious there is a measurable difference although not in favor of the audiophile cable!
Source: Marlene's Musings
The question of course is why a cable can have any impact on sound quality.
Some say that improved jitter performance of a cable can make a difference.
Others say that the reason we use asynchronous USB is exactly to have zero input jitter at the DAC so all what is happening upstream is irrelevant cable included.
Audiophile USB cables are becoming as controversial as high-end power cords.
Much debate on the audio forums, measurements are rare.
Marlene’s Musings is one of the very few resources I know measuring USB cable performance.
Noise, standard cable, from SoundBlaster to ASUS: very low noisefloor
Noise, Audioquest Forest USB cable, from SoundBlaster to ASUS: much higher again on lower frequencies.
Obvious there is a measurable difference although not in favor of the audiophile cable!
Source: Marlene's Musings
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