Solo streamer


I’m looking to replace my Cambridge CXN v2 with a streamer that has better SQ.  I want a streamer with no extra accoutrements: no DAC, storage capacity, etc., nothing but a streamer.  Is this available?

128x128rvpiano

@rvpiano one of the best USB cables I have tried is Audience StudioOne. Another is AudioQuest Diamond. 
Audience is fuller sounding, has more body and weight while retaining clarity and details. Soundstage is wide and deep. 
AQ Diamond is slightly leaner, faster sounding cable but still maintains natural tone. 
In your system with Benchmark DAC, I would highly recommend the Audience. I used it with DAC 3. I’m using the AQ Diamond now and recently compared it to Audience once again. I’m pretty sure you will not be underwhelmed with the Audience USB. It throws a massive stage that’s really stunning with large scale classical. 

To add…I throw the stock Aurender USB cable into the mix every once in a while. I’ve done it enough times and listened to it long enough each time to eliminate confirmation bias. The AQ Diamond is a better cable. And so is the Audience. Of course all system dependent but I just don’t see how in the context of your system it would fail to impress. 
Try it from The Cable Company

@audphile1 

Thank you for the recommendations.  I’m considering the Audience.  
Do I need an A-B or A-C connection?   

For some reason The Music Room has the 2m A-C for half price.

+1, FTA Sinope USB. Audience Studio One is better than majority of USB’s out there and Audience makes good cables but Sinope is on another level. 

@audphile1 

I recommend you give FTA Sinope USB a shot…FTA’s tonal saturation, smoothness and texture is simply amazing. If I ever go back to USB, this would be my first choice. 

@rvpiano

Becoming very underwhelmed with the Shunyata USB cable. For the money spent I would have expected at least some improvement.

Hopefully your dealer offered a trial period like your player.

In Shunyata’s defense, this was a Gamma, which is Shunyata’s entry level USB cable at "just" $350. Given that the stock Aurender USB is a $100 cable, it is not much of a jump. I have read some glowing reports about their high end Omega digital cables, but how much does one want to spend? I offer no USB help, as my streamer/player optimizes AES connection over USB.

But if you have a large budget, based on my favourite reviewers recommendations, Christiaan at Hi Fi Advice, the Mad Scientist Prime USB has replaced the Final Touch Sinope as his preferred USB cable. Good review to read, as Christiaan’s reviews usually are, as he explains well the sound differences between other products, but he also quotes some of the recent advancements in USB cables development from Mad Scientists’ point of view. I think Mad Scientist offers a trial period, but I couldn’t find it quickly enough on their "odd" website.

Mad Scientist Prime USB review