Is there any evidence at all that USB cables make a difference? John Darko seems convinced even going as far as saying the idea that they all sound the same is some kind of conspiracy theory.
https://darko.audio/2017/07/dont-worry-usb-happy/
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Thread: USB Cables
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2021-03-05, 04:56 #1Senior Member
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USB Cables
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2021-03-05, 05:12 #2Senior Member
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Some evidence that they don't: http://archimago.blogspot.com/2013/0...-for-dacs.html
Originally Posted by slartibartfast
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2021-03-05, 05:23 #3Senior Member
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Surely John Darko can't be wrong Originally Posted by chill
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2021-03-05, 05:36 #4Senior Member
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Maybe Archimago is part of the conspiracy.
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2021-03-05, 06:18 #5Senior Member
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A USB cable produced to meet proper specs will work perfectly unless it is broken. The only examples of badly functioning USB cables I've read about are from people buying strange "audiophile" USB cables, because some of these do NOT actually meet the normal specs of a cheap USB cable. Just remember, "there's a sucker (or audiophool) born every minute" (quote evidently mistakenly attributed to PT Barnum).
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2021-03-05, 07:01 #6Senior Member
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I was hoping the cable debates would never find their way to this forum. This topic seems to bring out the worst in people, and quickly.
OP: you might want to look at the audio hardware section on The Steve Hoffman Music Forums and also the Audio Science Review forum, as well as Archimago for more information, about USB and any other type of cable.Living Room: Pi3 w/Allo Digione Player (Wired), Max2Play w/LMS Server 8.0 and SqueezeLite
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2021-03-05, 08:29 #7Senior Member
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I was mainly wondering if there was any point in replacing the free cable that came with my DAC with a Supra cable or similar. I suspected the answer was no. I think John Darko doth protest too much. Originally Posted by Fahzz
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2021-03-05, 09:26 #8Senior Member
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I would say Supra is one of the better commercial ones; from their website Originally Posted by slartibartfast
I have some oof the usb2 cable and its fine, I also have some of their speaker cable which I still use (It's, at least ,25 years oldLow capacitance and efficient noise rejection maintain signal integrity in long run interconnects. PE-insulated wires with correct 90 Ohms impedance design. 24K gold plated and shielded connectors. The connectors are moulded to withstand tough applications and long term use. Maximum Data Transfer Rate: 480 Mbits/second (as per USB 2.0 specifications).
)
ronnie
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2021-03-05, 09:42 #9Senior Member
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My speaker cable is QED 79 strand from more than 35 years ago. Does your Supra USB sound any different to the freebie that came with your DAC though? Originally Posted by Man in a van
I would say Supra is one of the better commercial ones; from their website
I have some oof the usb2 cable and its fine, I also have some of their speaker cable which I still use (It's, at least ,25 years old)
ronnie
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2021-03-05, 10:10 #10Senior Member
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that will be well "Age-annealed" as I heard a salesman once say Originally Posted by slartibartfast
My speaker cable is QED 79 strand from more than 35 years ago. Does your Supra USB sound any different to the freebie that came with your DAC though?
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does it sound diffferent
Unlikely, I tend to use stuff that is usb2 compliant (but..... if that is just self-certification....it could be anything)
Supra, I have always liked, Hama USB 2 cable is certified and I use that, I have tried some Wireworld Starlight (bought second-hand) and the Curious cable (which spent three years on loan to a chap who eventually bought it from me).
The cheap cable often included with some dacs, I never even try, as the first one I ever had (cable) did not work at all.
Age, ear wax and a large dose of "can't be arsed!" prevent me from hearing any changes, plus a change in listen habits and a reduce span of attention
I have heard differences with speaker cable, a lot of speakers and amplifiers when I was more interested, and had the money and inclination to try different equipment.
Hopefully, later this year, I'll start and sell of a lot of stuff i have in storage as it's mostly worth "not a lot!"
ronnie
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