Audience FrontRow USB - I’m puzzled

Since I really dig my Audience FrontRow speaker cables and I had a very positive experience with the AU24se+ USB, I decided to take the FrontRow USB out for a test drive (The Cable Co. lending library).

And here’s the problem I am running into…I get no sound after enjoying awesome sound for some time. The Aurender N200 continues to stream or so says the conductor and my Bricasti M3 DAC shows the bitrate but there’s nothing…total silence.

Rebooting the DAC does nothing. Rebooting the N200 fixes the issue.

A couple of notes…

I never change cables with components powered on

I never had this issue with AQ Diamond or stock USB - both rock solid.

Things I tried

1. Power off dac

2. Clear aurender queue

3. Clear aurender cache

4. Log out from qobuz and tidal

5. Power down Aurender. Power it off completely

6. Connect audience USB

7. Power up dac

8. Power up N200

9. Login to services and start streaming to see if it this problem raises its ugly head and it sure did about 2hrs into it

I spoke with The Cable Co. salesman. We discussed sending a replacement demo. I emailed Aurender support. Awaiting their response.

I also plan on giving Audience AV a call to get their take on it.

I like the sound of this USB cable a lot and I do want to make this work.

Any thoughts?

Please let’s stay on topic…this is not a discussion on USB vs. other connections and superiority or inferiority of one over another. It is also not a cables make or don’t make a difference discussion. Please - only technical thoughts on what can be the issue and whether or not you’ve experienced this and how you have addressed it.

Thanks in advance!