Supra Audiophile USB Cable Review

[amirm]

With quite many Amazon bought cables that end up not working after a short while I think this price is still OK

My less than $5 Amazon cable has been through more test cycles than anyone would go through by a factor of 100. It still is completely reliable. It is also more pliable than this cable so puts less strain on the connector and is easier to plug in.

 

[antcollinet]

Is this really that important for jitter suppression, and if so, how to measure it exactly (between which pins?)
I can't remember any jitter comparison tests with vs without these 90 ohms.

You’ll be able to measure the jitter at the input to the DAC.

Point is though that even if it exists there, jitter on USB is completely irrelevant to DAC performance, since the USB clock is not used for clocking the audio data into the DAC.

The only time it could become relevant is if the jitter were so bad, the receiver was unable to correctly receive the digital data, causing pops/clicks/dropouts etc. But that would imply an actually faulty cable - not just a poorly implemented one.

 

[respice finem]

You’ll be able to measure the jitter at the input to the DAC.

Point is though that even if it exists there, jitter on USB is completely irrelevant to DAC performance, since the USB clock is not used for clocking the audio data into the DAC.

The only time it could become relevant is if the jitter were so bad, the receiver was unable to correctly receive the digital data, causing pops/clicks/dropouts etc. But that would imply an actually faulty cable - not just a poorly implemented one.

Good, so I don't have to measure the impedance of all my cables. Thanks.

 

[amirm]

It is extremely hard to make USB cables be bad enough to cause data errors. I know because I have tried. I can only do it by stringing multiple cables together and even then, it may not happen.

 

[Sokel]

My golden standard is the premium feel of the perfect fit.
These few nm which make the sweet spot, not loose, not overtight, just perfect after long time use.
Premium feel at this hobby is mandatory

(don't know about the one tested here though, never tried it)

 

[ManniX]

Ferrite beads are a myth in terms of better USB signal integrity. They can be useful if a device connected to USB cannot comply by itself with EMI regulation and so need the added ferrite to avoid spreading energy in the environment. There are some posts here on ASR explaining that. AS for the plugs, SUPRA look professionally executed and not DIY-like

Indeed nothing to do with USB signal integrity, the beads work pretty well to stop upstream noise from the source; small but measurable difference.

The Supra plugs of course looks good, they surely are excellent, professionally mounted and tested (EIA-364).
They are just bulky as expected for any decent cable. I like more the no casing which is much more practical.
If not would have been better some which are removable considering the price of the cable.
If there's something that can fail is that plug. But that's not a big concern for me, considering the quality.

It is extremely hard to make USB cables be bad enough to cause data errors. I know because I have tried. I can only do it by stringing multiple cables together and even then, it may not happen.

True, especially with USB2 and/or short lengths using USB Audio.
But the cheap cables sold on Amazon are so bad now that it happens.
I don't have an analyzer but when all the cables are copying a file to a flash device at 29 MB/s and only one at 27 MB/s not steady I assume there's a massive bit error rate behind.

 

[mumadadd]

No cow on the ice

Love this! Adding to my repertoire of idioms.

 

[Thomas_A]

I don't like these beefy cables... the strain of the connectors are risky (I've learned by experience... HDMI...).

 

[Thomas_A]

Love this! Adding to my repertoire of idioms.

It is actually a shortening of "There is no cow on the ice as long as the butt is on land".

 

[Ageve]

I think some have gone gaga just because the cable comes from Sweden and looks nice. It is no better than one costing 1/50 of the price. Totally unjustifiable as a product. Let’s move on swiftly to the next review before the world implodes.

You are correct when it comes to audible (or even measurable) differences, and at just 2m, it's hard to find a USB cable that doesn't work.

If you need a 4-5m cable though, it's not quite that simple, and a longer version of this one might be useful (if you have connectivity issues).

 

[Snoopy]

Fully spec'd, certified, affordable and does the job just fine.
As it should.

(colour is not my cup of tea, I have to defend my swallow somehow )

Thanks Amir!

The more expensive my whole audio gear gets the more Do I care about those things. Especially the Certified part.

So I recently got a Supra Lorad 2.5 powercord. does the Job. Feels and looks nice enough. And I know it’s really certified.

I’ve seen reviews on Amazon about some Monosaudio cables where the ground didn’t work etc .. that stuff is also certified.

But I also wouldn’t buy expensive Supra loudspeaker cables or silver powercords.. or their 800€ powerstrip

 

[doitttt]

only buy usb cables that always work, supra usb does.
the sound is debatable

 

[dlovesmusic]

only buy usb cables that always work, supra usb does.
the sound is debatable

Or their hdmi cables.
I have had at least 2-3 monoprice hdmi cables that just fail on me all of a sudden, while the supra hdmi cables are rock solid for 7+ years

 

[dlovesmusic]

The more expensive my whole audio gear gets the more Do I care about those things. Especially the Certified part.

So I recently got a Supra Lorad 2.5 powercord. does the Job. Feels and looks nice enough. And I know it’s really certified.

I’ve seen reviews on Amazon about some Monosaudio cables where the ground didn’t work etc .. that stuff is also certified.

But I also wouldn’t buy expensive Supra loudspeaker cables or silver powercords.. or their 800€ powerstrip

This is from Supra website re: Lorad power cord

Trusted by Professionals​

The Supra LoRad 2.5 CS-EU is used by leading organizations, including:

• Swedish National Laboratory of Forensic Science.
• Swedish Air Force (JAS Project).
• European air traffic control towers.
• Hospitals and laboratories.

Btw, not that it should make any differences but their silver plated power cord is black not light blue and is only about $10 more than the regular copper ones

 

[Thomas_A]

I remember back when Supra cables just had their classic loudspeaker cable and a few interconnects. The 2x2.5 mm2 cable still there today, sells for ≈€3 per meter. Not the cheapest but not expensive either.

Their claims for their high-end cables are however BS.

 

[Keith_W]

It is extremely hard to make USB cables be bad enough to cause data errors. I know because I have tried. I can only do it by stringing multiple cables together and even then, it may not happen.

You must have better luck with USB cables than me. Many of my cables all eventually die because of the connectors. They won't charge, let alone transmit data.

 

[dlovesmusic]

You must have better luck with USB cables than me. Many of my cables all eventually die because of the connectors. They won't charge, let alone transmit data.

I have had at least a couple of Amazon basics usb cable failed on me over the years. Even the stock usb cable that came with my ifi neo dac had failed being recognized at all

 

[Bleib]

My less than $5 Amazon cable has been through more test cycles than anyone would go through by a factor of 100. It still is completely reliable. It is also more⁸ pliable than this cable so puts less strain on the connector and is easier to plug in.

Great. You found a brand that's ok. I've thrown away MANY over the last ten years.
If they released USB C cables I'd gladly pay for a few that lasted a bit longer
Especially 3 to 5 meter USB-C cables used for VR are of awful quality

And these are the worst, basically made to break:

 

[ManniX]

Or their hdmi cables.
I have had at least 2-3 monoprice hdmi cables that just fail on me all of a sudden, while the supra hdmi cables are rock solid for 7+ years

The Supra HDMI cables are indeed very good and I love the detachable connector housing to allow them thru pipes.
But it's hard to justify the 79€ price tag for 2mt, it's definitely a bit too on the high side.

Most HDMI cables in the market are terrible but HDMI has a certification; regarding signal quality and integrity you just need to buy one with the certification.
Durability is always a bet but I have to say that all my good HDMI cables are still rock solid after 10+ years, regardless of price, so...

The best HDMI cable I have (judging the eye-diagram on the protocol analyzer) is from one of our STB supplier and it costs less than 5€!
All other fancy & pricey cables that I've tested are worse, often much worse.
Especially the most expensive ones!

The Supra speaker cables are fine as well as I can see but honestly I'm not sure if they are worth 5,5€/mt.
There are cables with bigger diameter and more copper strands for €4/mt on Audiophonics.
But they are not made in Europe for sure.
I'd be more inclined to spend some money on Supra when there's a connector involved, seems to be where they shine.

 

[Thomas_A]

The Supra HDMI cables are indeed very good and I love the detachable connector housing to allow them thru pipes.
But it's hard to justify the 79€ price tag for 2mt, it's definitely a bit too on the high side.

Most HDMI cables in the market are terrible but HDMI has a certification; regarding signal quality and integrity you just need to buy one with the certification.
Durability is always a bet but I have to say that all my good HDMI cables are still rock solid after 10+ years, regardless of price, so...

The best HDMI cable I have (judging the eye-diagram on the protocol analyzer) is from one of our STB supplier and it costs less than 5€!
All other fancy & pricey cables that I've tested are worse, often much worse.
Especially the most expensive ones!

The Supra speaker cables are fine as well as I can see but honestly I'm not sure if they are worth 5,5€/mt.
There are cables with bigger diameter and more copper strands for €4/mt on Audiophonics.
But they are not made in Europe for sure.
I'd be more inclined to spend some money on Supra when there's a connector involved, seems to be where they shine.

When it comes to HDMI, I've had a couple of cables that just don't work (bought new). Even when thee were correctly certified. The best one for my use has been a slim lightweight cable.