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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!

128x128audphile1
audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
5,164 posts
 

To add…the Stealth I ordered is regular version, non-tunable. I don’t need to have anything that I can tune in my system. Besides the regular Stealth USB is pretty much end game caliber digital cable. 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
452 posts
 

That’s awesome, finding that "gem" that ties a system together is so rewarding. In my case the Audience did that but I have a different  DAC and system. (Speakers, amp, pre) IDK if it’s the R2R or what but the resolution was a transformation. Funny how this stuff works.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
5,164 posts
 

@fthompson251 thank you!

you also have the higher tier FrontRow Reserve which is a silver cable. What I demoed was the standard OCC copper version. As I mentioned I need 1.5m long USB - my streamer and DAC are flanking the amp and I’m a fan of separating/spreading out components to avoid EMI and RFI. The FrontRow reserve 1.5m long is cost prohibitive as far as I’m concerned when it comes to USB cables. So I didn’t even demo the reserve.

 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
452 posts
 

Ah, good point! Yes when I inquired at Audience the designer told me that the Reserve would just be "more of everything" but it's not "Silvery" sounding in the sense of extreme brightness. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
5,164 posts
 

I haven’t tried all USB cables under the sun and I typically stick to major brands for the most part (not a fan of boutique experiments of hobbyists turned DIYers…e.g. Mad Scientist, TWL, etc. based on personal experience). So I will list the USB cables I have used so far just for reference -

Kimber bottom of the line (older model I don’t remember exactly what it was), Wireworld Starlight 8, DH Labs Mirage, Analysis Plus Pure Silver, Audience AU24se+, Audience StudioOne, Audience FrontRow, Nordost Tyr 2, AudioQuest Diamond, Stealth (my favorite so far).

I’m a huge fan of Audience cables and will stand by my assessment of FrontRow speaker cables - they’re ridiculously good…but I’ll go as far as saying the FrontRow USB is not Audiences best effort. Their AU24se+ and StudioOne were exceptional for the price. Again my system my ears my room…all subjective…

 

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