Best/Most Popular USB Cables.

[Tabl10s]

I'm changing my DAC and according to one reviewer, USB is all he uses.

Thanks.

 

[Lee]

There's a whole debate on if you should use a USB to SPDIF converter for even better sound. Outside of that, I like the Shunyata Omega cables a good bit.

 

[mtemur]

Original Curious usb cable offers great value.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I am partial to DH Labs Mirage USB cables and I use their Ethernet cables also.

 

[Synaxis]

10000% STEALTH Audio cables.

Of all the cables I've ever reviewed and listened to (dozens), the STEALTH with their collars are in a league of their own.

They knocked out my previous top cable which was Siltech. In my review I compared them directly to Siltech.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

10000% STEALTH Audio cables.

Of all the cables I've ever reviewed and listened to (dozens), the STEALTH with their collars are in a league of their own.

They knocked out my previous top cable which was Siltech. In my review I compared them directly to Siltech.

USB cable with a ferrite core. So this would indicate some level of EMI/RFI is present in the system. So using a quality USB with a ferrite core, optimizing its position would be an improvement too?

 

[ssfas]

Over the last 15 years of streaming, when I've needed a USB cable I've used a Chord usb-C until last year when I bought a Supra Excalibur.

 

[orrman]

Happy user of FTA Sinope here

 

[gadawg58]

Anyone ever audition the Tara Labs Grand Master EVO USB? I have Shunyata Alpha today and am sure the Omega would be a huge uplift but have read a few good things about the Tara Labs also.

George

 

[Audio Addict]

I have a Inaukustik silver USB on order. Has anyone else tried it. It is the USB Aries Cerat used at Munich this year. I wii use it into my Kassandra Reference II.

 

[sbnx]

I have had extensive listening in my sytem with AQ Diamond, Nordost V2, Shuyata Omega and FTA. I have heard several other brands. Of the ones I listed, the AQ is by far the leanest sounding and the FTA is by far the most full bodied. The Nordost was the closest to the sound wanted. Clean, clear and low noise. Don't get me wrong. It is not a perfect USB cable. The hunt continues.

I hvae not heard it directly but based on what I have heard with their other cables the Chord SarumT or ChordMusic would definitely be worth an audition.

 

[VerdantAudio]

I have spent a lot of time with the AQ Diamond, Clarus Crimson, Inakustik base model, Inakustik Silver Reference Air 2405, Kimber Select AG, Pink Faun, Shunyata Omega and a myriad of others.

My favorites are definitely the Clarus Crimson ($650 I think for 1M) sub $1000, Pink Faun ($1400 for 1M) over $1000 and I found the Inakustik Silver and Shunyata Omega to be incredible and very similar sounding at ~$3500. Those are my favorites. The others are good but these stand out as top performers to me.

 

[FT251]

@sbnx I am moving from the AQ Diamond for the same reason you cite, just a bit lean for my taste. I have on order the new Audience fRontRow Reserve USB. Looking for more fullness, better bass and no loss of detail on the top end, wish me luck!

 

[gadawg58]

I’m going to Audition a Kubala Sosna Realization USB in a couple of weeks when my dealer gets it in … will be curious to hear how it compares to the Shunyata.

George

 

[2glory]

Is the Clarus Crimson Mk2 now the top USB cable in today’s market?

 

[sbnx]

give Turnbull a listen

 

[brodricj]

In the Esoteric universe the input source selection on the DAC scrolls from best interface to worst (by design). The best connection is ES-Link which uses a proprietary communication protocol over a HDMI cable. Then comes dual-AES. Then comes XLR. Then comes RCA (coax). Then comes optical (toslink), and last comes USB. And yeah, the cable does matter for all of them except ES-Link for which you can use a bog standard HDMI cable. To squeeze the best out of USB you are using a $3K+ Shunyata Omega or other pricey wire. But ES-Link still beats it. Forget USB, the other interfaces sound better. But as I said, the quality of the AES/coax/USB cable is a determining factor.

 

[gadawg58]

In the Esoteric universe the input source selection on the DAC scrolls from best interface to worst (by design). The best connection is ES-Link which uses a proprietary communication protocol over a HDMI cable. Then comes dual-AES. Then comes XLR. Then comes RCA (coax). Then comes optical (toslink), and last comes USB. And yeah, the cable does matter for all of them except ES-Link for which you can use a bog standard HDMI cable. To squeeze the best out of USB you are using a $3K+ Shunyata Omega or other pricey wire. But ES-Link still beats it. Forget USB, the other interfaces sound better. But as I said, the quality of the AES/coax/USB cable is a determining factor.

So I’m curious why the quality of the HDMI cable doesn’t matter for ES-Link? Not arguing but genuinely asking as I have the Grandioso DACS.

Thanks

George

 

[brodricj]

So I’m curious why the quality of the HDMI cable doesn’t matter for ES-Link? Not arguing but genuinely asking as I have the Grandioso DACS.

Compare the sound of the blue HDMI cables that came with your D1XSE compared with any other cable you happen to have in the drawer at home. Good luck picking any difference.