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.
I've had the previous generation Galileo UEF USB and LAN cables in system for a year plus now. Both are exceptional.
At this time I'm holding off until I choose a server / streamer and possibly a DAC. I do not want to get ahead of myself with a costly cable upgrade. My component choice will drive cable requirements.
The Final touch audio -Callisto cables a Lampizator US distributor carriesthese incredible USB cables. I owned the curious, AQ Diamond Wireworld Platinum7 , theCallisto is in another league the wire world has verygood detail but doesnot gave the realism huge deep soundstage the Callisto does. From what I did find out the designer sourses very high purity Copper but it must also have a specific minimum of Silver-and Gold in it, then it is hammered to specific shape ,then has its own dielectric and shield from the 5 v legg which is not disclosed . All these things is what seperate this usb cable from anyone else out there retail $850 sounds like a lot but is a bargain considering it has more impact then a decent component upgrade. Audio circle Lampizator has a page, or look them up in the U.S they are in stock. Besides buying the a New Lampizator entry level Amber 3 , this cable is well beyond good ,as well as their interconnects which I donot own but saving for $1800. Read the reviews ,then take the plunge you will be glad you did !!
@ferrox Thanks for bringing the FTA Callisto to my attention. I'd love to try it. Do you have a link to access Final Touch Audio? I wasn't able to locate it with a first pass on Google. I'll dig deeper.
David, me and some of my audio friends have tested this FTA Callisto usb cable (FTA stands for Final Touch Audio) from Serbia. It is the masterpiece of Zoran, the owner.
This cable gives everything I need, deep bass, expansive sound stage, superb holographic and full sounding.
I have been using some other usb cable including the totaldac but FTA beats them easily.
I wish you could find one to test and compare and share it one more time. :)
You and Archie (Bunker/Blogspot); there is something so telling about chaps as you, Archie-Bunker/Blogspot and brethren from the same waxed-ear gene pool.
For you, here is: ... Some facts that should give YOU pause for thought:
There are dozens of cable manufacturer's in business for decades; carrying hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in inventory, selling through year-after-decade, after decade. Hi-Fi mag's, and millions of satisfied/thrilled listener's appreciating this (rightfully) much valued component (cabling). Year, after year. Millions of people. Multi-million dollar, thriving industry.
And then, there's you -and the 'Bunk(er)' clan, extolling the virtues of dollar-store hamburgers !
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.
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!
@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.
@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.
If you don't mind spending a bit more money :-) I would recommend going for the T (tunable) version of the Stealth USB cable. It will allow you to change for your particular DAC or speakers. (However, if you are the obsessive type it may not be a good idea.)
@david_ten Unlike tinian though my usb-t cable took a little over two weeks for me to fully realize how good this cable is. It was too laid back at first and I was getting a little disappointed it might not be what I had hoped. But then it opened up and showed how dynamic and detailed it really is but in a very natural and beautiful way.
Feels weird to have to come to a cable thread where people act like adults and are civil towards one another. Hope I didn’t just jinx it... :)
I’ve had the Stealth USB-T in my possession for several weeks now and have compared it to the Phasure Clarixa I had been using as well as the Mad Scientist Black Magic that I recently picked up.
The Clarixa has been a great cable but always thought it was just a tad etched in its tone and wondered if trying a new cable would alleviate that. The Black Magic improves on this tone and provides a holographic soundstage that is really fun to listen to. I like that it gives voacals and stringed instruments an ethereal quality that I think befits it’s name of Black Magic. For the price I think the Black Magic is exceptional and am glad I took a chance on it.
The Stealth seems to allow more information through and definitely has a bigger and wider soundstage than any other usb cable I’ve tried. The natural tone of the Stealth while still giving plenty of dynamics and detail is what I like the most about it. While it may not be as holographic as the Black Magic I think that instruments sound more real with the Stealth. The strike of a piano key and the sound of a cymbal definitely gives a more vivid but real sound that’s make me glad I ventured out and tried this cable. Everything I wanted to improve on the Clarixa got improved. The Stealth has a certain “magic” of its own and is hard to really explain but reminds me back to david_ten’s remarks about getting lost in the music. Not one thing stands out but taken as a whole it’s a pretty cool thing.
Thanks David for sharing your experiences here and shining some light on this Stealth brand that I’m kinda surprised isn’t talked about more. Good stuff.
Have been testing usb cables for a year now and have also concluded that the stealth is the most balanced and natural. It almost sounds like a high end rca cable. Amazing speed, balanced throughout the spectrum, soundstage is endless and very much according to the recording. No exaggerations just ultra high detail in an all natural format, in all dB levels. It surely is an end game usb cable imho, and does not require almost any break in, in about 50hrs it was all set in. Would recommend to get 1.5m length, as tested the 1m and found to 0,5m difference to remove any digital remains if any. Now my Aurender and Gryphon dac are in pure harmony. For the record it is a usb t select.
Have you heard of the Intona USB cable? It seems to be relatively new and is made by the same German company that makes the Intona USB Hi Speed Islolator.
I can't vouch for it but it looks promising and is cheaper than what you've tried so far.
Since reading your review of the Stealth I’ve always had it in the back of my mind but the price is a bit steep and have yet to see a used one come up for sale.
I currently have a Phasure Clarixa and it’s great but some day would like to venture out with other cables. The Black Magic is half the cost of the base Stealth so I wonder how close it comes to it.
What that actually proves is you can prove anything with measurements. All you need to do is find the test that proves your argument. It’s easier than falling off a log. In fact this all proves my point - the results of all tests are unreliable.
Thanks for posting the link for the upteenth time.
This thread is clearly intended for the benefit of those believe in ‘cable matters’ and are able to discern the audible differences with each respective cable.
Very nice information and time taken to compare and write this all up. I personally do not use a USB cable so I have no opinion on any of the cables although I have used the different brands in other applications and have found a few similar results, go figure. Anyway it all comes down to what you prefer anyway so as long as you are satisfied and happy, and enjoy listening, then that is what matters most. Happy Listening.
I've heard smaller than 1M lengths for some USB cables being best. I've also read about avoiding longer lengths for some types of interconnect cables.
I did not ask the question specifically of any of the the cable companies represented in this comparison.
Stealth's FAQ section does not address cable length. It does address a number of other issues. I reached out to Audience for a separate question, and their response did not address cable length.
I requested equal lengths of cabling from The Cable Co. but they were not able to match all, via their lending program.
When I was ready to purchase the Stealth I asked The Cable Co specifically about the length (the demo was 1.5M) because I did not want any surprises with a new length. I was informed that there would be no sonic difference or penalty or upside between the 1M to 2M lengths of Stealth.
I chose the 1M length because I don't like having excess cable hanging off the shelves and also paying for a length I am unlikely to need, in this application.
I cannot, from memory, discern any difference in the performance between my Stealth 1M and the 1.5M demo.
Have you found differences? It will be good to know if you have. Thanks.
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