Quality USB Cables

[jimbones]

Ok so it is common knowledge that it's important to use a premium quality USB cable between a PC and DAC.

Now here's a question: If you are going PC>USB/SPDIF Converter>DAC is it as important to use a premium USB Cable? (I have a J Kenny Cuinas). I am using a cheapie Belden right now and never compared a premium USB. Thanks in advance for your thoughts/advice.

[sleepyguy24]

Which premium USB cables are you looking at? I normally use Belkin or Dynex USB cables that have some kind of foil shielding and music has sound fine in my systems. I'm now trying the Black Cat Audio USB Silverstar cable with a Uber Schiit Audio BiFrost DAC. This cable is around $150 so it is Premium to me as the USB cables I have were just a couple of bucks. Still breaking in the Black Cat cable so I'll let you know my thoughts on this premium USB cable when I'm done.

[rollo]

   There are so many to choose from. Mapleshade is highly recommended as well as DB audio labs and Cardas.



charles

[jimbones]

I should clarify why my question:
When connecting a PC directly to DAC the quality of USB cable is important (Jitter/EMI etc) However, once you insert a Conveter between the PA and DAC, the converter has it's own clock. Now I am not sure if it is still important to have a good quality USB cable. I have not considered any particular cable manufacturer but I guess $100-125 on the used market sounds about right.

[sleepyguy24]

From one seasoned audio vet I spoke to about this he told me in his opinion that if you have a signal going through a quality cable when it goes to other cables some of that original quality is preserved. So then when it goes to a converter and onto another source you should also have quality cables all around.

Previously when I had a CD transport going to a jitter reducer/re-clocker to finally a DAC I kept the same cabling all around. When I had a lower quality cable in the chain there was a slight difference in SQ in my system but not anything earth shattering.

Also for me I've got a bit of a tick when thinking about cabling. I always want to keep cable quality across the system the same as best as I can to take that variable away if I have a sound issue.

[jimbones]

From one seasoned audio vet I spoke to about this he told me in his opinion that if you have a signal going through a quality cable when it goes to other cables some of that original quality is preserved. So then when it goes to a converter and onto another source you should also have quality cables all around.

Previously when I had a CD transport going to a jitter reducer/re-clocker to finally a DAC I kept the same cabling all around. When I had a lower quality cable in the chain there was a slight difference in SQ in my system but not anything earth shattering.

Also for me I've got a bit of a tick when thinking about cabling. I always want to keep cable quality across the system the same as best as I can to take that variable away if I have a sound issue.

Thats a good way of thinking about it. Keep cable quality even across the system, or at least keep the crap out even if it is only a slight SQ improvement. At least you know it is not the cable thats the problem.

[rpf]

I've always used a USB-SPDIF converter (ART Legato) between my Mac Mini and my EE DACs and have found that the USB cable to the converter does make a noticeable difference.

I've only tried a few: a generic, and lower priced Audioquest and Wireworld. I'm using an db Essential Labs cable at the moment ($200 list, IIRC) but would like to try some others.

The Cardas Clear ($134 list) is supposed to be excellent for the money. I'm particularly interested in the Purist base model ($260 list) as I've always liked their cables and am using a BNC terminated Aqueous Aureus Praesto between the Legato and DAC which was a very large improvement over several other digital cables I tried (as it should for the price, but some of the others were nearly as expensive.)

[Triode Pete]

I've always used a USB-SPDIF converter (ART Legato) between my Mac Mini and my EE DACs and have found that the USB cable to the converter does make a noticeable difference.

I've only tried a few: a generic, and lower priced Audioquest and Wireworld. I'm using an db Essential Labs cable at the moment ($200 list, IIRC) but would like to try some others.

The Cardas Clear ($134 list) is supposed to be excellent for the money. I'm particularly interested in the Purist base model ($260 list) as I've always liked their cables and am using a BNC terminated Aqueous Aureus Praesto between the Legato and DAC which was a very large improvement over several other digital cables I tried (as it should for the price, but some of the others were nearly as expensive.)

FWIW, Pi Audio Group also makes a killer USB cable...

If you'd like to try out the Cardas Clear USB, let me know, rpf!

Cheers,
Pete