Do USB Audio Cables Make A Difference?

[RayDunzl]

Ok.

I'll play.

Give me a solution for less than the $18.97 or so I spent and requires no more effort than to plug in both ends and hasn't required any further fiddling around since then (four years ago).

 

[watchnerd]

Ok.

I'll play.

Give me a solution for less than the $18.97 or so I spent and requires no more effort than to plug in both ends and hasn't required any further fiddling around since then (four years ago).

25 foot of TOSLINK for $11.99?

 

[RayDunzl]

25 foot of TOSLINK for $11.99?

How is an optical cable a solution for connectivity between two USB ports?

 

[watchnerd]

How is an optical cable a solution for connectivity between two USB ports?

I don't know your architecture. If you want us to play, it would be helpful to know.

 

[RayDunzl]

I don't know your architecture.

For this application, the architectural features of interest are USB Type A at PC to USB Type B at DAC

 

[Vincent Kars]

How is an optical cable a solution for connectivity between two USB ports?

What about this one: http://www.corning.com/optical-cables-by-corning/worldwide/en/products/usb-optical-cables.html

 

[Sal1950]

What about this one: http://www.corning.com/optical-cables-by-corning/worldwide/en/products/usb-optical-cables.html

Had the question if these cables provide full grounding isolation? Reading the link I understand they do not transfer any power except internally for self-powering at both ends, but couldn't determine if the ground remains totally isolated? (ground loops).

 

[RayDunzl]

https://www.amazon.com/Corning-Self-Powered-Peripherals-Receptacle-AOC-ACS2CVA030M20/dp/B00M74MBKO

 

[Vincent Kars]

10 m set you back $109
https://www.amazon.com/Optical-Cables-Corning-Cable-Meter/dp/B00JOJRF6K
So a $100 per 10 m !

 

[Vincent Kars]

but couldn't determine if the ground remains totally isolated? (ground loops).

Me neither
There is a schema but it doesn't exclude "ground" as far as I could judge
https://www.corning.com/microsites/coc/ocbc/Documents/CNT-075-AEN.pdf

 

[RayDunzl]

10 m set you back $109

Oh, sorry, I didn't notice the optional lengths...

So a $100 per 10 m !

That's only $3 a foot for specialized cable... Maybe not so bad.

 

[DonH56]

Exhaustive research has proven to me that USB cables do indeed make a dramatic difference in the sound. When I pull the cable, the sound goes away. It comes back when I reinsert the cable.

 

[Thomas Savage]

Exhaustive research has proven to me that USB cables do indeed make a dramatic difference in the sound. When I pull the cable, the sound goes away. It comes back when I reinsert the cable.

You should publish these groundbreaking findings...

 

[RayDunzl]

Had the question if these cables provide full grounding isolation? Reading the link I understand they do not transfer any power except internally for self-powering at both ends, but couldn't determine if the ground remains totally isolated? (ground loops).

If ground is isolated, is it still ground?

 

[Sal1950]

Exhaustive research has proven to me that USB cables do indeed make a dramatic difference in the sound. When I pull the cable, the sound goes away. It comes back when I reinsert the cable.

Yep, might be worth a AES White paper, tan might do in this case.

If ground is isolated, is it still ground?

Hummm, sounds like a job for The Scrutinizer!

 

[Blumlein 88]

You should publish these groundbreaking findings...

He'll need peer review before publishing.

 

[RayDunzl]

 

[Fitzcaraldo215]

He'll need peer review before publishing.

You know, I always wondered if peer didn't mean just "pee-er". Either way ...

 

[DonH56]

Having served in the past on the editorial team for a peer-reviewed (IEEE JSSC) magazine and seeing the posts above... No comment.

 

[watchnerd]

Had the question if these cables provide full grounding isolation? Reading the link I understand they do not transfer any power except internally for self-powering at both ends, but couldn't determine if the ground remains totally isolated? (ground loops).

what are you talking about ground l00ps for, it uses frickin lasers, man!!