Do USB Audio Cables Make A Difference?

[Julf]

It's not about the bits. It's about the clocking and how RFI impacts the analog stages of the converter.

Clocking is pretty much a non-issue with modern DACs with ASRCs (and asynchronous USB).

 

[Bob Olhsson]

True. IF there is an audible difference, it's about clocking and/or RFI.

Certainly, there shouldn't be differences caused by any cables, digital or analog, but manufacturers and their designers screw up.

 

[solderdude]

It's not about the bits. It's about the clocking and how RFI impacts the analog stages of the converter.

In any half decent design what goes on in the digital part should not have any consequences in the analog plane. Power supply management and PCB layout is important.

 

[khark]

Quite, all you need are :-
Linear power supplies
Hugely expensive dac
Boutique ( kitchen table top) cords with ferrets on them
Exorbitant network switches all those issue will disappear,
Keith

I taped my pet ferret on a usb cable and it was very angry, not to mention it didn't anything for the sound

 

[ribonucleic]

I purchased a BlueJeans USB cable. I asked them for test data and they replied this is the ONLY cable they do not MAKE and source overseas and could not provide ANY information at all on build, wire etc.

You can tell they take a lot of pride in this offering.

 

[pkane]

I taped my pet ferret on a usb cable and it was very angry, not to mention it didn't anything for the sound

You need more than one, I gather.

 

[jim1274]

I could not resist adding that my recent purchase of a $2000 Benchmark DAC3 came bundled with a USB cable, just happening to notice it was a Monoprice cable. I think that is a $4 cable.

Says volumes.

 

[voodooless]

Says volumes.

Like: never waste an opportunity to sell an additional unneeded accessory

 

[IAtaman]

I could not resist adding that my recent purchase of a $2000 Benchmark DAC3 came bundled with a USB cable, just happening to notice it was a Monoprice cable. I think that is a $4 cable.

Says volumes.

If it says volumes, why do you think it's monoprice?

 

[Jimster480]

I could not resist adding that my recent purchase of a $2000 Benchmark DAC3 came bundled with a USB cable, just happening to notice it was a Monoprice cable. I think that is a $4 cable.

Says volumes.

What do you mean? That cable is more than fine...

 

[jim1274]

If it says volumes, why do you think it's monoprice?

It was embossed on the cable connector: