Question about USB & Optical Cables

[observerstation]

Hi,

I am fairly new to having a pure digital set up and I am curious as whether the quality of USB or Optical cables is relevant to the sound quality. I am looking for a general consensus on whether it's worth to spend money in this area. Here is my set up;
- Running Audirvana on a MacBook M1 Air playing local Flac files from my own music library, and also using Spotify app on a Smart TV via Optical cable
- Laptop connected via USB to a SMSL SU-1 Dac (This acts as both a power supply to the Dac and to transfer the music files)
- Dac to Fosi ZA3 Power Amp

I am currently using a non-audio specific USB cable.

I have heard that Audioquest cables will improve the sound (or is this just snake oil?)

What qualities should you look for in a USB cable? Is it transfer speeds only or do the Audioquest cables have something else that's important?

Thanks!

 

[SIY]

I am fairly new to having a pure digital set up and I am curious as whether the quality of USB or Optical cables is relevant to the sound quality.

No. If you're not getting clicks or pops or dropouts, the cables are good enough. If you change your printer cable, will the type look clearer?

I have heard that Audioquest cables will improve the sound (or is this just snake oil?)

They are complete and utter fraud.

 

[Beave]

Let me put it this way: There's a reason some posters on here refer to the brand as Fraudioquest.

 

[observerstation]

No. If you're not getting clicks or pops or dropouts, the cables are good enough. If you change your printer cable, will the type look clearer?

They are complete and utter fraud.

Thanks, I guess I'm overthinking it as I have had no dropouts or interference when listening via USB or optical cable. I am only using a USB C cable that I charge my phone with.

Ignorance is bliss in this case then

 

[Jim Taylor]

Ignorance is bliss in this case then

I have no idea whether "Ignorance is bliss", but I know that "The truth will set you free".

Jim

 

[HammersRocco]

Hi,

I am fairly new to having a pure digital set up and I am curious as whether the quality of USB or Optical cables is relevant to the sound quality. I am looking for a general consensus on whether it's worth to spend money in this area. Here is my set up;
- Running Audirvana on a MacBook M1 Air playing local Flac files from my own music library, and also using Spotify app on a Smart TV via Optical cable
- Laptop connected via USB to a SMSL SU-1 Dac (This acts as both a power supply to the Dac and to transfer the music files)
- Dac to Fosi ZA3 Power Amp

I am currently using a non-audio specific USB cable.

I have heard that Audioquest cables will improve the sound (or is this just snake oil?)

What qualities should you look for in a USB cable? Is it transfer speeds only or do the Audioquest cables have something else that's important?

Thanks!

The members replying to your post are 100% correct. Any cable operating properly, within standard will do. I do spend a little bit ( not a lot, certainly, so pls don't misunderstand me) looking for better build quality. That is, given that a properly operating cable will do, one that is well built to avoid physical breakage it's worth a few bucks more... but again, don't go crazy. It all means that I get the $15 cable as opposed to the $5 one!

 

[DVDdoug]

Since everything is working fine for you this is just for general information -

In SOME cases you can get ground-loop noise through a USB connection. It's noise getting into the analog electronics... Nothing related to digital. With optical there is no electrical connection so that can be avoided.

USB can be more "flexible" because there is 2-way communication and the drivers can automatically take care of any necessary format conversions... With USB (and the right software) you can play anything!

 

[Chrispy]

Hi,

I am fairly new to having a pure digital set up and I am curious as whether the quality of USB or Optical cables is relevant to the sound quality. I am looking for a general consensus on whether it's worth to spend money in this area. Here is my set up;
- Running Audirvana on a MacBook M1 Air playing local Flac files from my own music library, and also using Spotify app on a Smart TV via Optical cable
- Laptop connected via USB to a SMSL SU-1 Dac (This acts as both a power supply to the Dac and to transfer the music files)
- Dac to Fosi ZA3 Power Amp

I am currently using a non-audio specific USB cable.

I have heard that Audioquest cables will improve the sound (or is this just snake oil?)

What qualities should you look for in a USB cable? Is it transfer speeds only or do the Audioquest cables have something else that's important?

Thanks!

Who did you "hear" from about fraudioquest? I'd reevaluate using that source.

 

[observerstation]

Who did you "hear" from about fraudioquest? I'd reevaluate using that source.

You Tube channel PS Audio. As I said in my original post, I am just trying to get a general consensus about this topic. I mean, surely there must be something in it, otherwise why market them as superior, audiophile grade cables? But it seems that on this website there is a lot of negativity towards Audioquest.

 

[observerstation]

The members replying to your post are 100% correct. Any cable operating properly, within standard will do. I do spend a little bit ( not a lot, certainly, so pls don't misunderstand me) looking for better build quality. That is, given that a properly operating cable will do, one that is well built to avoid physical breakage it's worth a few bucks more... but again, don't go crazy. It all means that I get the $15 cable as opposed to the $5 one!

The upgrade I was considering first, was using a Thunderbolt 4 to USB C connection. Not a big expense, around $20. Not sure if even this is worth my time and money

 

[Chrispy]

You Tube channel PS Audio. As I said in my original post, I am just trying to get a general consensus about this topic. I mean, surely there must be something in it, otherwise why market them as superior, audiophile grade cables? But it seems that on this website there is a lot of negativity towards Audioquest.

I'd least listen to that doofus grandpa Paul who sells fraudioquest. Just a shill.

 

[sam_adams]

. . . audio specific USB cable.

There is no such thing. The cable either meets the USB spec for which it is designed or it doesn't. There is nothing in the USB specifications for cables that are specific to audio since USB data transmission is purely digital.

 

[SIY]

I mean, surely there must be something in it, otherwise why market them as superior, audiophile grade cables?

Because money extracted from gullible people is worth the same as money earned honestly.

 

[Roland68]

The upgrade I was considering first, was using a Thunderbolt 4 to USB C connection. Not a big expense, around $20. Not sure if even this is worth my time and money

The SU-1 DAC has a USB C connection, but is still only USB 2.0. Any USB C or Thunderbolt cable with electronics and more than 4 conductors is therefore unnecessary.
If you are looking for a nice and high-quality cable, I recommend the LINDY ANTHRA LINE
Male USB-C to Male USB-C 2.0 Cable in the required length, one of the few USB 2.0 cables with USB C plugs on both sides. Costs between €/$ 5 - 10.

 

[Audiofire]

The upgrade I was considering first, was using a Thunderbolt 4 to USB C connection. Not a big expense, around $20. Not sure if even this is worth my time and money

Even a USB 2.0 connection is plenty for most audio use cases.

 

[antcollinet]

otherwise why market them as superior, audiophile grade cables?

Because they can get more money from gullible audiophiles. Don't be one.

USB data transmission quality (including for audio) is an engineering problem. Here at ASR, you are surrounded (far from everyone, but a lot) - and being answered - by a bunch of highly qualified engineers. They really are worth listening to.

 

[Audiofire]

There is a case to be made about the criminality of fraudulent audio marketing, but people don't have the time and money required to prosecute.

 

[Mal]

The members replying to your post are 100% correct. Any cable operating properly, within standard will do. I do spend a little bit ( not a lot, certainly, so pls don't misunderstand me) looking for better build quality. That is, given that a properly operating cable will do, one that is well built to avoid physical breakage it's worth a few bucks more... but again, don't go crazy. It all means that I get the $15 cable as opposed to the $5 one!

Good advice. Also - read the one star reviews. I wish I had done this before buying the amazon basics optical cable - on extraction, it took the door off the optical input on my KEF LSX. Thank goodness for cellotape...