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USB Cable Comparison Audience / Cardas / Purist / Stealth / Wireworld

I've been meaning to share my findings and impressions from a recent six cable comparison of USB cables.

What follows is a 'work in progress draft' that I will be finalizing and posting on a blogging site.

Getting this posted is a way of lighting a fire under myself so I get the write-up finalized. And to keep my promise to share my findings with a number of Audiogoners.

What is posted is the first phase of the 'shoot-out' involving four cables.

Please note:

- This is not finalized and I will be making edits, and adding information, etc.

- This is the first phase of the comparison.

- The second phase will be posted soon.
david_ten
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
@rwpollock Your post is on the money about the ’T’ tuneable version of the Stealth. And great advice for those considering the Stealth USB.

@johndoe21ro I haven’t had a chance to bring the Audioquest Diamond in system. I do have their Diamond RJ/E cable coming my way in a few weeks (part of a LAN cable shoot-out).

@yo2tup Thanks for sharing your findings. I’d love to try the Valhalla 2.
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
@respected_ent  The SR Galileo UEF USB cable is my current reference. It's fantastic but also very pricey.

Similar to what @yo2tup shared via his findings, the SR (within my system) plays in a different league. 

Thanks to @dlcockrum  for bringing it to my attention as well as bringing it over for a demo in my system. The upside and impact was immediately obvious.
yo2tup's avatar
yo2tup
47 posts
 
I tried the Audioquest Diamond a couple years ago, but I don’t remember how it sounded or what I thought of it.  It didn’t leave that much of an impression on me so that might be saying something!

Havent tried the SR UEF but I’m sure it’s great!  

Just to add to my thoughts on the Nordost Heimdall 2, wireworld platinum, and audience plus.  These cables sounded very different from each other in regards to frequency response.  For these reasons,  I’d highly recommend try before you buy.  I can see the wrong cable being awful in certain systems.  Whereas with the stealth usb-t, prana, and purist 30th, you probably can’t go wrong with any but it could be a matter of taste if you compare them.  I’m pretty sure the Valhalla 2 will sound amazing in any system.  Prob on the same level with the SR Galileo!
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
All cables are system dependent.   In my system, Nordost Valhalla was way too "goosed".   I agree and own top Wireworld.
tinian
4 posts
 
I would add  to yours above that is personal liking depended...
Wireworld platinum usb is indeed a amazing cable it did hit me hard from the first note, it was a tad on the bright side, on the top end on my system, and I demoed it for some time. It was on the top of my list before the Stealth USB Select came into play. 
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