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Cables Galore Speaker cables, Interconnects & Power cords |
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#1
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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.
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. - 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
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(Dedicated 20A line (X2) / PSAudio outlets) > (Bryston BIT15) > WW Aurora 7 PCs > ((SilenZio 3.5 > Bryston BDA-3) / (VPI Prime Walnut > EAT E Glo Petit)) > (DH Labs & WW ICs) > Bryston BP17 cubed > ((Bryston 4B cubed > Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 & REL Acoustics T-zero) / (Schiit Mjolnir 2 > (Focal Elex / MrSpeakers Ether CX / Fostex TR-X00 Ebony / Sennheiser HD650 / AKG K712 Pro))) |
#2
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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.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES Last edited by Masterlu; 12-10-2017 at 08:49 PM. |
#3
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WW Platinum in my system works magic. Try to reduce distance if possible.
Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#4
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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. Best, Shrinky
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(Dedicated 20A line (X2) / PSAudio outlets) > (Bryston BIT15) > WW Aurora 7 PCs > ((SilenZio 3.5 > Bryston BDA-3) / (VPI Prime Walnut > EAT E Glo Petit)) > (DH Labs & WW ICs) > Bryston BP17 cubed > ((Bryston 4B cubed > Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 & REL Acoustics T-zero) / (Schiit Mjolnir 2 > (Focal Elex / MrSpeakers Ether CX / Fostex TR-X00 Ebony / Sennheiser HD650 / AKG K712 Pro))) |
#5
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Nope, in one of my systems I use a 5.0M Platinum Starlight USB w/ superb results.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#6
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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.
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Office/Music Room Dynaudio Heritage Special. Uptone Audio EtherRegen Ethernet Switch. Akasa NUC 10i7 with Roon Rock. Bryston BDP-3 Digital Music Player (with 4 Tb Internal SSD and Synology DS920+ NAS)-->Holo Audio May Kitsune Edition DAC-->Shunyata Sigma USB—>Gryphon Diablo 120 Integreted Amp w Transpatent XL PC. Oppo BDP-105D and BDP-203. Power: Shunyata Hydra Sigma S12 PD. Additional Cabling: WW Silver Electra PC, WW Electra PC, Shunyata Venom 3 PC. Digital: WW Starlight Ethernet, WW Gold Starlight AES-EBU, WW Platinum Starlight USB. IC and Speaker: WW Eclipse 8. Bedroom System Ipad with MusicStreamer App-->Schiit Jotunheim DAC/Amp—>Audeze LCD-XC, Focal for Bentley Radiance HO, Massdrop E-MU Teak HP. AK SE 200 DAP. Mobile Survival Kit Astell & Kern SP1000M. Noble Kaiser Encore IEM with Double Helix Balanced cable, Westone W80 IEM w ALOaudio Ref 8 cable, Westone W60 IEM, Shure se535 Ltd with Westone Bluetooth Wireless cable-amp. Mark Levinson No. 5909 Wireless HP. |
#7
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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
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#8
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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.
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Primary System (Always in flux): Analog Source: Rega RP10 Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3 Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2 Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205 Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7) Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs) Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels |
#9
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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.
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Jim Bedroom: Aurender N150, TEAC UD-505 (AKM version), EMIA Cu Elmaformer passive line stage, conrad-johnson MF2500, Paradigm Studio 20 v5. Shunyata Delta D6, Altaira CG hub. Shunyata Alpha XC, Delta NR v2, Alpha USB, Alpha and Venom CGC/SGC. Wireworld Eclipse 8 interconnect & speaker cables. Stillpoints footers, Butcher Block Acoustics maple platforms. Stillpoints and GIK acoustic panels. Home Office:Windows 11 PC/JRiver 31, TEAC UD-501, Luminous Audio Technology Axiom II Walker Mod passive, conrad-johnson Sonographe SA-250, Paradigm SE-1. Shunyata Hydra (Original Version), Venom 10 NR. Wireworld Eclipse 7 interconnects. Blue Jeans speaker cable. Living-Dining Room: Windows 11 Laptop/JRiver 29, Oppo BD-83, TEAC UD-501 DAC, SOTA Sapphire TT, Graham Slee Era Gold V, Ortofon 2M Black, McIntosh MR-77, c-j Sonographe SC-25, c-j MF2500, Paradigm SE-3. Wireworld 8 IC, Blue Jeans SC. Shunyata Hydra 8 v.2, Shunyata Delta NR, Venom NR. GIK 244 bass & scatter-plate panels. Last edited by jimtranr; 12-11-2017 at 08:17 PM. |
#10
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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. 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
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(Dedicated 20A line (X2) / PSAudio outlets) > (Bryston BIT15) > WW Aurora 7 PCs > ((SilenZio 3.5 > Bryston BDA-3) / (VPI Prime Walnut > EAT E Glo Petit)) > (DH Labs & WW ICs) > Bryston BP17 cubed > ((Bryston 4B cubed > Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 & REL Acoustics T-zero) / (Schiit Mjolnir 2 > (Focal Elex / MrSpeakers Ether CX / Fostex TR-X00 Ebony / Sennheiser HD650 / AKG K712 Pro))) |
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