An audio buddy came over yesterday to do some listening to the new and amazing Shunyata Alpha USB cable, and he brought with him his recently acquired Shunyata Venom USB cable. This cable has an MSRP of $200, but I've recently seen if on sale at various retailers.
I've known about the Shunyata Venom USB for some time now, but I hadn't considered buying it because I presumed, at its price point, that it wouldn't be better than my (highly-acclaimed) AudioQuest Diamond USB cable, which presently sells for $600/0.75M. The AudioQuest Diamond USB has received numerous excellent reviews over the last 4-5 years.
That presumption on my part, as it turns out, would have been a mistake.
Until a few weeks ago, the AudioQuest Diamond was the best-sounding USB cable that I had heard, and I was using it between my Sonore microRendu and Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC Gen 5 USB.
I should point out that Sonore has rather strongly recommended using a very short plastic-molded USB male A to male B "hard coupler" adapter in place of a USB cable. Back when I got my Sonore at the end of 2016, I made the assumption that the USB hard coupler couldn't be better than the AQ Diamond, so I never installed it until a few weeks ago when I was in one of my scientist-type experimental moods. I installed the USB hard coupler in place of the AQ Diamond, and lo and behold, d*mned if it didn't sound quite a bit better than the AQ Diamond USB cable. Transparency was improved, there was less noise, and overall, the sound quality across the board and musical presentation was superior. The AQ Diamond was relegated to the cables plastic storage container (which I am sure all of you have!
)
That lasted until the Shunyata Alpha USB arrived, and y'all know how that turned out!
Anyway, as we were going to do a proper demo of the Shunayta Venom USB, I went back to the "reference" setup (aka the datum) and re-installed the short USB male A/B hard coupler (which I should I point out, is a PITA to use, as it requires putting supports under the microRendu as it just stick out and "floats" in Gumby's USB receiver port. I used a stack of Herbie's silicone cups on top of some business cards to support the microRendu at just the right height).
We listened for a bit to 3-4 songs, including
Lisboa, Impossible Love and
Se Voce Ama on Melody Gardot's
The Absence and and, sure enough, the system sounded quite good. We then swapped out the short USB hard coupler for the Shunyata Venom USB cable.
Wow. BIG improvement.
All of a sudden, the soundstage opened up considerably, there was more spaciousness, more precise imaging and soundstage depth, the bass was tighter and more finely articulated, the top end was more extended, airy and silky, and there was "breath" and palpability from the singers' voice, as if the sound, texture, vocal quality was actually coming from an actual flesh & blood singer than than a simple electronic "avatar" of a singer (if that makes sense). Very subtle and delicate percussion and instrumental tones, notes and details were now discernable and created a textural auditory "frisson" of instrumental melodies.
Just as importantly, like all Shunyata products I've used, the presentation was
very quiet, natural-sounding, and "sweet" in the best possible way. I hate to use the over-used and generic term "musical", but in essence, that's what is was...the presentation was very much like all the other Shunyata products I've heard: they impart a quietness, naturalness and "trueness" to musicality that creates a sense of "listening ease" and leads to an engaging and involving musical experience, and that was most certainly the case here.
And I know some of you are curious: how is the Shunyata Venom USB compared to my AudioQuest Diamond USB cable? Well, in my opinon and experience, the Shunyata Venom USB blows the Diamond into the weeds, its not even close.
In summary, if you're looking for a quality USB cable for your DAC or network streamer and your budget doesn't presently stretch to the incredible and amazing Shunyata Alpha USB, do yourself a favor, and pick up a Shunyata Venom USB. This USB cable is an absolutely
massive value proposition for the performance and most importantly, the musical experience you get for the money.
I should have bought this cable years ago...
