Ideal USB cable length, streamer to DAC?

Its quality, not quantity 😁

@kota1 and quality not $$$

I'm returning a $300 Analysis Plus Digital Crystal Cable (COAX) because the no-name USB cable supplied with the DAC sounded better. (I know comparing COAX to USB is not apples to apples).

We'll see how the Zavfino USB performs...the Uptone USB is interesting too....  

There is no direct effect on asynchronous USB delivered data, since no timing is involved (asynchronous), but there might be indirect effect by noise injected into DAC.  This noise might come from ambient electrical noise induced in the cable or computer electrical noise injected into cable.  In first case shortest cable is likely better while in the second case, when computer noise is injected, longer cable might act as a filter for very high frequencies.   What works for one person may not work for another - best to try.

@macg19 

I think an “ideal length” would be subjective in an audio situation but as long as the length supports the speed/bandwidth criteria I don’t see why it would matter.

USB 2.0 is supported up to 5 meters (16 feet) while USB 3.0 falls to 3 meters (under 10’) assuming these are not powered. It’s possible to add powered extenders but that brings in other considerations such as common mode noise.

I've used a 5M Supra USB cable without any issues:

Supra USB