Audioquest Pearl USB Cable Review

[rwortman]

Blah, blah, blah. There is error detection built into the digital transmission standards. Bit errors don‘t result in harsh midrange or steely highs, they cause nasty clicks and pops. TTL “1” is nominally 5v and ‘0” is nominally 0v. In application a “0” can be anything from 0 to .8v and ”1” can be anything from 2 to 5v. A 2v ”1” doesn’t sound different than a 5v “1”. In USB data transmission there is no 1 voltage or 0 voltage. There are two voltage states. If there is a transition from one state to the other during a clock period that is a 0 and no transition means a one. As long as the transitions can be detected all is good. A USB cable can”t have better bass, smoother highs, or better soundstaging. It either works or it doesn’t.

 

[Doodski]

Ohhh... "it shouldn't be a big problem"
I will stop writing for today, my brain doesn't seem to be in good shape at just writing what I think

Have a mOON rocK and relax... Lol.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Does the interface transfer the correct bits without errors? Yes.

Can we have more onesy ones and more zeroey zeroes? No.

 

[amirm]

View attachment 256744Aaargh

I covered this topic at length in one of my recent videos:

 

[Chrispy]

I'm not a SPDIF expert, so other people can correct me or explain better, but from reading this, it looks to me a bit like they are contradicting themselves...
- they first say voltage above a specific level will give a 1, and voltage below will give a 0
- they then talk about it like only 0V level was 0/black and 1V only was 1/white, with all between 0V and 1V being grey and not doing anything

But in this case, the "grey zone" takes far less time than both voltages states

They're not really contradicting themselves rather than being clueless in the first place...

 

[Chrispy]

Yes, I was editing my post because I missed the point I wanted to highlight : the grey zone state is super short, while the 0 and 1 states are far longer, so it should be a big problem
* ... shouldn't be a big problem

Uh huh

 

[ahofer]

I guess Alan Shaw liked your video, @amirm (apologies for the invidious comparison below, but the Monty Montgomery is a classic)

 

[Stanny1]

Typical of AQ Hype. They make up names and labels while almost all their copper is just OFC with no specs. I haven't seen the word "OHNO" but we get "long-grain copper". How long a grain? OHNO long? Same with Cardas Grade One. I say stay away from "Audiophile Cables". There is much more honesty in Pro Audio cables like Mogami

 

[joseG86]

I saved more money thanks to Amir than I've "wasted" already lol

Thank you sir

 

[MacCali]

I saved more money thanks to Amir than I've "wasted" already lol

Thank you sir

Indeed, besides definitely getting I would say clear sound. That’s what I consistently tell people on here who do not believe in the purely objective approach. Not sure how you[anyone] can be mad at Amir

If you got the money and you don’t care or you want to try so be it, we are not mad you. Some people just want there system to look fly.

At least now you can know if it helps, does nothing, or hurts the sound which is definitely something to watch out for.

 

[ReevaluateAdNauseam]

And that's why the ASR voting system is childish, pointless and a complete waste of space. You voted 'waste of money' because of the brand name! How is that remotely objective, scientific or facts based?

The cable works perfectly, does the job and doesn't cost a fortune.

Well said.