Audioquest 72v DBS problems with my DAC

Yes plane jane usb cables always work. The problem is they don’t sound good. You just need to find a cable that works and sounds good. Not a very difficult task. Just takes some time and funds. I use the cable company to audition cables. I run USB cables 24/7 for at least 2-3 days straight to make sure they work with my streamer and dac. 

Funny you should say that @audphile1 - when first going through this problem with Lumin support, they suggested I remove the audiophile cable and simply use a USB printer cable!!

Compatibility issues are not uncommon with audiophile USB cables. I’ve had issues with Audience FrontRow USB cable where it would cut out permanently requiring a streamer reboot. 
Check Shunyata USB cables out. New Alpha X is supposed to be excellent. Wireworld cables sound good but they’re on a lean side in my experience. Worth trying. 

Seems to be more of a McIntosh issue than an AQ issue to me, but I will send them an email to see if they've ever heard of it...

Never had an issue with my AQ Diamond USB, but also really like Wireworld cables too.  Did you check with AQ to see what they think?  That's really strange.

Op we were aq dealers and switched to wireworld and found the wireworld cables to sound even better and for less money 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect Nj

WIREWORLD DEALERS 

That’s good. Hopefully you can exchange these cables for something else or return them. 

@audphile1 my whole system is from the same high end dealer in Toronto, I'm confident they are authentic cables...  it seems the DAC circuitry in my McIntosh MCD12000 is sensitive to the voltage from the 72v DBS packs. 

I’ve used AQ Diamond USB between Aurender N200 and Bricasti M3. Never had any issues. Actually a really nice sounding cable. 
Did you buy the AQ cables from an authorized dealer? I hope these are not chinese fakes. Then all bets are off. 

Sounds like you found the problem.