New USB Cable from Stereomatic (Chris Somoivgo/Black Cat/StereoVox)

[rbbert]

I like the Venom USB quite a bit. In fact, it's my favorite now.

It's on www.thecableco.com for only $95?!

 

[Lee]

It's on www.thecableco.com for only $95?!

That is a deal.

 

[Joe Galbraith]

Disclaimer: I am an analog guy even though I do have a modest digital playback rig.

I just replaced an Audioquest Diamond USB with Chris' Silverstar USB and am very happy with the results

 

[Andre Marc]

Disclaimer: I am an analog guy even though I do have a modest digital playback rig.

I just replaced an Audioquest Diamond USB with Chris' Silverstar USB and am very happy with the results

Hi Joe:

Thanks for your impressions. Lots of stiff competition out there.

I just reviewed this, and it is excellent as well:

http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-accessories/av-cables/dh-labs-mirage-usb-cable-review.html

 

[Occam]

Hi Joe:

Thanks for your impressions. Lots of stiff competition out there.

I just reviewed this, and it is excellent as well:

http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-accessories/av-cables/dh-labs-mirage-usb-cable-review.html

Andre,

I agree with you that the DH Labs Mirage USB cable is excellent, I use a 5 meter Mirage and am very happy with it.
But other than subjective superlatives, what I find missing from your review is subjective comparisons. As you said, you've evaluated multiple USB cables, so I'd think a useful bit of information would be a more specific description of its subjective presentation in comparison to other USB cables.
For instance, IMO, 2 very well thought of USB cables provide 2 very different presentations, the Audioquest Diamonds subjectively 'analytical' and the Wireworld Platinum Starlight somewhat 'warm'. 'Game changer' or not, I wouldn't think, all else being equal, someone preferring the Audioquest's presentation liking that of the Wireworld's in the same system.
If you accept that USB cables offer subjectively different presentations, where would you place the Mirage?

From my perspective, a reviews value is largely dependent on its context. Has the reviewer opined on a piece of kit that I've also evaluated, so I can 'normalize' their perspective against my own, and more ideally, does the specific review compare the product under review against other products with which I might be familiar.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Andre Marc]

Andre,

I agree with you that the DH Labs Mirage USB cable is excellent, I use a 5 meter Mirage and am very happy with it.
But other than subjective superlatives, what I find missing from your review is subjective comparisons. As you said, you've evaluated multiple USB cables, so I'd think a useful bit of information would be a more specific description of its subjective presentation in comparison to other USB cables.
For instance, IMO, 2 very well thought of USB cables provide 2 very different presentations, the Audioquest Diamonds subjectively 'analytical' and the Wireworld Platinum Starlight somewhat 'warm'. 'Game changer' or not, I wouldn't think, all else being equal, someone preferring the Audioquest's presentation liking that of the Wireworld's in the same system.
If you accept that USB cables offer subjectively different presentations, where would you place the Mirage?

From my perspective, a reviews value is largely dependent on its context. Has the reviewer opined on a piece of kit that I've also evaluated, so I can 'normalize' their perspective against my own, and more ideally, does the specific review compare the product under review against other products with which I might be familiar.

Regards,
Paul

Hi Paul:

Thanks for reading and your comments.

I think I should clear of a major misconception about the review process, and my M.O. I ONLY provide comparisons when a DIRECT comparison is possible. I had the AQ Diamond in my system, but a year ago, with
a different DAC and source. I also had the King Rex (another really superb cable) in my system 6 months ago, with still another DAC and source.

Without being able to do side by side comparisons with the same DAC and source, I refuse to rely on aural memory. If you read the last few high profile reviews of things like the Berkeley DAC,
etc, there were no direct comparisons made to the best of my knowledge.

If you read Steve Plaskin's review on AudioStream.com of a bunch of really high, very expensive USB cables he concluded there was no best because they ALL sounded different depending on the combination of source
and DAC he used, so it was a moving target. He had half a dozen superb DACs and sources at his disposal for the review.

I can only provide feedback based on why at I hear with that cable without any other context. It is up to the reader to decide if they agree with my description, or better yet, if the review
has created enough interest so they can audition the cable them selves. Obviously I can't be to far off the mark or relying on too many superlatives since you like the cable.

To answer your question..in MY system with MY source and DAC (SOtM server, with Simaudio Neo 380 DAC) the Mirage is perfectly balanced, neither warm or analytical, as I said it had no sound of its own.

Cheers,

Andre