2. cables
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I've never believed much in cables, that said... (USB)

So, in 30+ years of being an audio geek of sorts I've never believed much in cables.  I've always felt once it's a decent gauge and quality (think basic Mogami XLR's and Canare 4s11 speaker) that they don't make much of a difference.  I do try occasionally and try to read the science to see if it makes sense.  

Over the years there have been a couple cables I thought MIGHT have been different (not better or worse, but different).

1.  Gregg Straley Reality cables - these are a solid core and I believe he cryo's them.  I felt the speaker cables MIGHT have brightened things up a bit.  60/40 on if they did, but I'm pretty sure they did.

2.  PS Audio AC3 power cables on my amp.  I inherited this cable with a used amp purchase so said what the hell, I'll try it.  Don't think it did a thing on the pre-amp.  But, with two different amps, I THINK it opened up the soundstage a bit.  Reading about it, I think that the whole highs/lows shapes of cables doesn't make a lot of sense.  But I did think it might make a big enough difference.  For what I essentially paid for it - I kept it and use it.  If anything it looks cool and does stay in the outlet with a vice like grip.  


That said.

Just got my first outboard DAC (oppo sonica) and started with a cheap USB cable then tried an audioquest cinnamon, clearly a difference to me.  I was shocked (and bummed in some ways). But it was obvious, so I tried an audioquest carbon - and yes, again I'm pretty darn sure I heard a difference and it was better.  Everything did have more separation and clarity without being brighter (which is what I thought speaker cables might have done).  This was clear.  It still makes little sense to me (0's and 1's).  I've tried to look at tests like at ASR... but man it's the first time I really felt I can hear a difference.  

Might try the PS audio power cord on the dac, but that means changing on the amp... so not sure if it would be fair or not!
dep14
melvinjames
416 posts
 
In the under $300 category I've tried a few USB cables in the various iterations of my system:

AudioQuest Carbon
Belkin Gold
Black Cat Silverstar
Blue Jeans
dB Audio Labs Essential
iFi Gemini (dual-headed)
UpTone USPCB A>B Adapter

The newest addition is the UpTone Adapter. I purchased it because the form-factor is a perfect compliment for the microRendu and user reviews were quite positive. Best $35 I've spent on audio gear.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
andy2
One of the differences (among many) between water and electricity is that before turning on the faucet in your kitchen, the kitchen does not have any water in the first place. But with electricity, even before you turn on the switch of the amp, the amp internally already has a bunch of electrons just waiting to get moving.

So intuitively, you think if the tiny fuse is the bottle neck because all the electrons have to be "squeezed" through such a tiny space, so why then adding a big fat power cable would make a difference?

One possible explanation is that electrons are so small so there are so many more of them than needed even through the tiny fuse. Another thing that helps is that the physical length of the fuse is very short so the electrons would just shoot through it without having any noticeble resistance or phase shift. Now if you increase the length of the fuse to say a "foot" then may be that could cause some problem.

The other explanation is the potential of the electrons in the fuse is at 120V they have a bit more juice before down converted through the transformer.

>>>>That’s an excellent theory except for one minor problem. Electrons aren’t really traveling through the wire or fuse. They are only the “charge carriers” and for all practical purposes they’re stationary. It’s the current that’s traveling. And the current is made up of photons.

doak
199 posts
 
Now that you have determined that USB cables do matter, this one will blow your mind:
https://stordiau.com/collections/cables-and-more-snakes-oil/products/lush-2-usb-audio-cable?variant=12779952701549

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

“The shielding is not comprised of mu-metal as it would not contribute to better Sound Quality plus it would make the cable unmanageable and also way more pricey.”

>>>>Two things. Mu Metal is shielding for magnetic fields not rf. Two, mu metal is not expensive even it were used to shield magnetic fields. If cables are in proximity to transformers or other generators of big magnetic fields most likely mu metal around the cables would be good for sound quality.




blindjim
3,092 posts
 

@andy>
I was wondering the reason audio grade cables are so expensive


simple.

you have likely noticed performance often equates to its cost to purchase.

not always is the what ever item littered or filled with unobtaininum or can'taffordiumn.

ala, AQ Carbon USB. PSA PC. as others stated, Synergistic entry PC.

Micro Pearl RCA ICs are one of mine. previously $60. to improve upon it took a Cardas pair of Neutral Ref RCA used at $250.

Over achievers are what we seek as they possess immense value to performance ratios.

wire makers are like any other maker. the price tag is based on performance predominately and not necessarily its contents and development, though these are undeniable expenses.

it would make no good business sense for me or a few of us to formulate and construct a component which rivals 'destination' equipment and sell it like its stolen.

competition breeds pricing which is always going to be determined by its performance predominately. making costs and research expenses are inescapable yet are overcome with again, competitively pricing
the item so sales become driven by sheer popular demand mostly, or are priced at levels which have an allure or have acquired extraordinary desirability fuled by lots of positive marketing and glowing accounts from user experiences.

there are any number of ancillary other attributes which justify retail pricing, e.g., maker's rep, upgradability, locale, etc..

A major caveat to all of this will be the pace with which technology is advancing in the components associated genre, analog, digital, tube poewr, digital power, speaker designs, evolution in chemistry and metalurgy, etc.

often whiz bang digital to analog converter shelf life is of late, more truncated than are tube amps, or turntables for example

this hobby revolves around subjective anecdotal or self diagnosed appraisals gained merely from the end user's own experiences.

the horse that pulls along the cart of experience is slowed or halted by the resources and level of dedication and determination the one holding the reigns possesses.

there is an enormous number of items out there, how many, how long, and how regularly does one jump in the pool of curious change to investigate them is your choice alone.

enjoy the adventure to the extent you can

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