USB a to b recommendations?
 

Looks like I am going to join the Tidal bandwagon... will need a USB a to b cable to connect to my Oppo Sonica DAC. Seeking advice and input into selection. So many options. :scratch2:

Went to the Apple Store this weekend as the wife was going to get me a Mac mini for work and music. The staff there talked us out of it, saying it has not been updated in so long, that is a sign they are going to stop producing it. Their replacement appears to be the Mac Pro, which looks like it would be phenomenal for music, but I don’t know enough about it, it may be more than I need at the moment.

https://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

They said in this area it is mostly used by engineering firms and music producers. They call it the “trash can”, because that is what it looks like. It’s pretty slick looking, and ultimately I would like one. We got a second iMac I will use for any work from home, and more importantly - music. For now, that’ll be my source. Until, maybe a Mac Pro in the future... though that is for another post.

So, I have been looking at USB a to b options. 3 meters is bare minimum for my setup. The usual question is, how much are you willing to spend? $300 or so would be nice. We all know, once the discussion gets started, that number gets pushed up, and I am ok with it, within reason, if I get talked into it because additional cost seems truly or overwhelmingly worth it.

Initially, I have been looking at:

- AudioQuest Carbon - 3 and 5 meter options available (Coffee and Diamond are too much, but would love to try either)
- Shunyata Venom - 3 meters only available, very reasonably priced for such a well-regarded maker
- Cardas - Clear Serial Bus, has various nice sizing options, which is a plus
- Kimber - Kimber Kable USB B Bus vs AG Silver USB Bus. Each has 3 to 5 meter options. I have 8tc speaker cables, and they were an outstanding upgrade, so I’ve got good vibes for Kimber
- Wire World - would be nice, my other interconnects are WW thanks to Ivan, have each been noticeably superb upgrades, and when the time is right will likely pm him to see what is comparable. Ivan has a penchant for making us offers we can’t refuse. :smoking:
- Pangea - Audio Premier SE, is super affordable, 3 and 5 meter options available. and I’ve been happy so far with their power cables, but know nothing about their interconnects. I suspect if I got this I would soon upgrade again. Would prefer to skip that step if I can, but am ok with this for a stepping stone if need be.

My system is not quite yet discerning enough to pick out the finer details, but I am hoping to get there. This is the fun of the hobby!

Any experience or feedback is welcome, especially if anyone has experience with these, or comparable, options.

Thanks,
Shrinky

Hands down WW owns the USB digital space IMHO ;)

I can put you in a Silver Starlight 7 USB A-B 3.0M with money left over. :ok:

WW Platinum in my system works magic. Try to reduce distance if possible.
Tom

Tom, thanks for your reply. I wish I could decrease the distance. You are absolutely correct that keeping cable distances to a minimum is important. Is 3 meters too long for it to be worth it?

I listen in a multipurpose space, a home library/office, and my setup will not allow shorter for a computer source, which will be off to the left. Attached is a picture of my usual sitting position. I run the cables behind because the cabinet doors swing open and slide back in. I’ll unfortunately also be limited to bookshelf/monitor speakers too. My wife insists she be able to hide my audio equipment from view when I am not listening. Bless her, as she just does not understand. I am making do the best I can.

The only way to decrease USB cable distance would be to move my DAC up and to the left... then I would unfortunately have to increase my other interconnect lengths. I am open to any creative ideas.
—————————————————
Ivan, you are gracious and generous as usual. I am pretty sure I will end up contacting you soon. I suspected WW would likely be my best option. I just wanted to hear what others may have to say... and let due process take it’s course. :D

Best,
Shrinky

Nope, in one of my systems I use a 5.0M Platinum Starlight USB w/ superb results.

I own a Silver Starlight and a Platinum Starlight. The Silver is excellent. The Platinum is noticeably more excellent. Can’t go wrong with either.

As Ivan said, 3 meters is not a deal killer for a high quality USB cable. Not at all. There used to be a length limitation in the USB 2.0 spec of 5 meters, but that is now gone with the USB 3.0 spec because not all cables are created equal. Some cables are more equal than others.

USB is particularly tricky imo and warrants the very best cable your wallet can handle.

Enjoy!

Tom

I use WireWorld's Platinum Starlight 7 USB 2.0 in my system and it is noticeably better than the top of the line AudioQuest and Transparent USB cables I've tried. The retrieval of detail it facilitates between my Melco N1A/2 and my very expensive DAC is extraordinary. Very highly recommended.

I use a WW Silver Starlight USB a-to-b cable from a laptop to an Uptone Audio-Regen'd DAC in my bedroom audio system. The laptop with its associated external hard drive is the system's sole source component.

I've upgraded downstream (new power cord for the DAC and upgraded power supply for the USB reclocker), with the result that the bedroom system is now the household's reference-quality system in terms of "closest to being there" performance. To my ears, the Silver Starlight is clearly up to the task of delivering program material to achieve that performance level. You could probably do better with the Platinum (I trust Ivan's ears in that respect), but if budget is critical, I don't believe the Silver will disappoint.

Thank y’all for the feedback.

So far WireWorld [Silver to Platinum] Starlight 7 USBs are the clear (and unopposed so far) recommendation from experience. Looks like that will be the direction I will try to go. Likely Silver Starlight because of my budget currently.

:yes:

I’ll follow-up with impressions. Unfortunately the only comparison I will be able to give to start would possibly be with a standard printer cable, if that even works.

My best,
Shrinky