Audioquest (USB cable) 'DBS' positioning changes sound ?

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
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I was taken aback when I discovered that the Audioquest 'DBS pack' positioning (along the 'Coffee' USB cable) introduced considerable SQ differences -depending where the 'pack' was positioned (and angled) within the 2-3"(5-7.5cm) of available space.

Does anyone have experience with this -or noted similar ?

Please, do tell ! (lol). I am being serious though.

Cheers,

pj
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
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Huh, never tried it.
 

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
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Hi Lee: Oh, but do !

Way before I purchased the 'hunched-backed' AQ cables -I wondered about that growth hanging off the cable.

Upon first connecting (primarily the 'Coffee' USB), I noticed drastic changes in SQ -that went beyond typical 'break-in' experience. And sure enough -the further the DBS (from the device) -the 'cleaner/clearer' it sounded. That was about at the 150-hour mark. Although I still have the 'Coffee' (0.75m USB), I will NOT, again, consider anything less than 1.0m (1.5m in the case of AQ USB) for cabling.

pj
 

ayreman

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2017
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Ukraine
allhifi, all the calbes in my system are AQ. That includes 1.5m long USB Diamond. I could test your observations in my system but you need to be more specific. For example, what do you mean by your last sentence? What's length of the cable got to do with positioning of DBS pack? (You wrote: "
Although I still have the 'Coffee' (0.75m USB), I will NOT, again, consider anything less than 1.0m (1.5m in the case of AQ USB) for cabling.")
 

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
93
15
113
allhifi, all the calbes in my system are AQ. That includes 1.5m long USB Diamond. I could test your observations in my system but you need to be more specific. For example, what do you mean by your last sentence? What's length of the cable got to do with positioning of DBS pack? (You wrote: "
Although I still have the 'Coffee' (0.75m USB), I will NOT, again, consider anything less than 1.0m (1.5m in the case of AQ USB) for cabling.")

Hey ayreman: I should have started another paragraph when speaking of cable length choice -nothing at all to do with DBS module positioning, that of course extends only a few inches.

The 1.5m simply enables greater component positioning.

pj
 

Folsom

VIP/Donor
Oct 25, 2015
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If changing positions of the cable affects the sound very obviously, then it most likely has very poor noise rejection - maybe even enhanced noise acceptation. To me that would seem faulty.
 

johndoe21ro

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Oct 3, 2012
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There's nothing faulty about AQ! Couldn't be happier with their cables! :)
 
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Folsom

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Oct 25, 2015
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I'm not saying you wouldn't be happy with them, but if orientation (not direction) affects the sound, they aren't getting that sound by reduction of noise. In engineering it'd be considered faulty. For audiophile, it's just something different.
 

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
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There's nothing faulty about AQ! Couldn't be happier with their cables! :)

I agree; although I only have experience with AQ digital (specifically USB), the ones I've had/have include Carbon, Coffee and for the last 150 hours, Diamond USB (1.5m). And, an appropriate segue thus follows; the time required for 'Break-in/Settling' of DBS module cables:
My experience with Coffee USB 2-weeks-to-500 hours (0.75m). The 'Diamond' sounding quite nice (excellent actually) as it approached the 140 hours mark -the one week/168 hour mark arrives today about 1:00 PM (EST).

Furthermore, It's essential to physically disconnect the cable (for a few minutes -up to 30 minutes) several times as the cable 'settles' -thus expediting 'break-in' time.

pj
 

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
93
15
113
I'm not saying you wouldn't be happy with them, but if orientation (not direction) affects the sound, they aren't getting that sound by reduction of noise. In engineering it'd be considered faulty. For audiophile, it's just something different.


Thanks Folsom. I thought everyone would "get it": DBS module's physical positioning/orientation as it relates to perceived SQ -specifically low/mid-frequency 'clarity'.

pj
 

twitch

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2010
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I agree; although I only have experience with AQ digital (specifically USB), the ones I've had/have include Carbon, Coffee and for the last 150 hours, Diamond USB (1.5m). And, an appropriate segue thus follows; the time required for 'Break-in/Settling' of DBS module cables:
My experience with Coffee USB 2-weeks-to-500 hours (0.75m). The 'Diamond' sounding quite nice (excellent actually) as it approached the 140 hours mark -the one week/168 hour mark arrives today about 1:00 PM (EST).

Furthermore, It's essential to physically disconnect the cable (for a few minutes -up to 30 minutes) several times as the cable 'settles' -thus expediting 'break-in' time.

pj

OMG telling the 140 from 168 hr mark.....LMAO !
 

allhifi

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2016
93
15
113
OMG telling the 140 from 168 hr mark.....LMAO !
OMG telling the 140 from 168 hr mark.....LMAO !

Hey 'twitchy': Since I haven't gotten to the '168' hour mark, I can't say. Yet, this morning, the USB 'Diamond' was sounding flat/ uninspiring, so (as normal when 'breaking-in'), I disconnected, then will re-insert.

I, unlike some, have been doing this a long time, and hope to offer some rare (desperately needed) 'insight' for those who may be wondering/experiencing similar.

May I suggest a comedy forum for your twitchy giggling to be appreciated ?

pj
 

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