I've appreciated all the positive posts on the Alpha USB. I've owned one since they first started shipping, but since my system was going through a major overhaul, it wasn't easy to sort out the Alpha's benefits. Also, to really appreciate the Alpha USB's contributions, I had to upgrade downstream digital cables as well. My transport is a Innuos Zenith Mk2 and this feeds a Chord Hugo M-Scaler via USB. This M-Scaler then feeds a Chord Hugo TT2 via a pair of S/PDIF cables. I opted for the Shunyata Alpha S/PDIF cables. My gosh did these deliver a huge upgrade. The Alpha products kick some serious butt. I couldn't be more delighted with the bang for the buck.
What I found really interesting was that the Alpha and Sigma USB cables use sliver conductors. The rest of the Shunyata lineup - including their S/PDIF cables - use copper conductors. I think it would be a really interesting to hear from Caelin or Grant on why they felt that silver was more appropriate in their USB cables.
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