FTA (Final Touch Audio) Callisto USB cable
- Thread starter Golum
- Start date
In this specific thread I really don't like to write too much or at all. Rather leave it to you guys to write whatever you feel or see fit - good or bad.
Many thanks for decision to give it a try and secondly huge thanks for the kind words. Myself and Zoran really appreciate it deeply!
Take care and stay safe!
G
Does the Callisto only come in USB A to B, or are other types available for the B, such as A to A?
I'd love to hear someones impressions of Sablon vs FTA USB? It is similar price.
I am also keen to hear comparisons on the Sablon vs FTA Callisto.
I have a few usb cables, namely the Lush2, Mad Scientist Black Magic, and Triode Wire Labs Freedom. I just sold my Curious Evolved USB today.
I'm using the Black Magic for SOtM sMS-200Ultra Neo to SOtM txusbultra, Lush2 from txusbultra to singxer su-6 (and then phasure i2s to dacs) , and also triode freedom from txusbultra to holo spring 2.
I think the lush2 is great; will not be selling this. Am indifferent about the triode freedom usb; seems quite neutral to me. I chose to keep the black magic over the Curious Evolved as I felt the black magic had better bass and mids with more controlled highs.
Am looking to possibly change out the triode freedom, then move black magic to txusbultra to holo, and get a new cable between the two sotm units.
The callisto and sablon are similar in price (I believe)..
I have a few usb cables, namely the Lush2, Mad Scientist Black Magic, and Triode Wire Labs Freedom. I just sold my Curious Evolved USB today.
I'm using the Black Magic for SOtM sMS-200Ultra Neo to SOtM txusbultra, Lush2 from txusbultra to singxer su-6 (and then phasure i2s to dacs) , and also triode freedom from txusbultra to holo spring 2.
I think the lush2 is great; will not be selling this. Am indifferent about the triode freedom usb; seems quite neutral to me. I chose to keep the black magic over the Curious Evolved as I felt the black magic had better bass and mids with more controlled highs.
Am looking to possibly change out the triode freedom, then move black magic to txusbultra to holo, and get a new cable between the two sotm units.
The callisto and sablon are similar in price (I believe)..
I can’t answer your question, tho I have a Callisto on the way to compare with a TotalDac USB cable/filter in a run from SSD to Oppo. But I hadn’t heard of the Lush and wonder, looking at their website, if you would explain what seem like its multiple configuration possibilities are all about. Thanks,
Hello,
I'm riding Lush^2 and I just receive a Callisto today. If you wait a little week I'll give you a feedback ;-)
To be honest, I haven't tried any config other than the one it was shipped in. Supposedly, that is the most favourable one (based on other users' input and the guys own testing/tastes). I also have not tried the grounding attachments and just leave them free floating.
Oh man that would be awesome! Looking forward to your impressions. That will most certainly be helpful (but probably not for my wallet).
I can already give the verdict after 50 hours. If that changes, I'll let you know later...
The most impressive aspect of the Callisto is, I think, the much wider and deeper sound staging than the Lush^2. And despite its enormous sound and fluid qualities, the images of the sound scene remain very articulated and precise. And always with that organic and natural side that the Lush^2 already offered a little bit.
In fact it's an upgrade of the Lush^2 at all levels.
I would always recommend the Lush^2 which is still a great cable for me, for example for someone with a smaller system or a smaller budget.
But clearly for me, there is no turning back now.
Looks like I'm gg to have to send Goran another pm..
Now my dilemma is.. I may need two of these cables. One from streamer to usb reclocker, and another from USB reclocker to ddc..
But thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks to @tipunch for giving me that nudge to place my order!
I just received the Final Touch Audio Callisto usb cable yesterday. Spent the past few hours listening to music.
For those who feel they've almost "completed" their system and looking to add that one last percent, this cable may well be that finishing touch (as the company name implies... lol).
I have the phasure lush2 and mad scientist black magic, triode wire labs discrete usb, (and previously curious evolved), and the fta callisto bests all of them.
Out of the box, the callisto takes away all upper registry edginess and glare; I had this with the lush2 but I mistook it for detail and clarity; only now is it apparent that I was poorly mistaken. Pinpoint imaging for vocals, better instrument placement, which makes for a more believable and dimensional soundstage.
Also, with this cable, nothing really jumps out in your face. At the same time, nothing is noticeably lacking. Everything seems to be balanced, in exactly the right amount. It is quite an odd feeling to finally have an idea of what people are trying to convey when they use terms like "coherence" in music.
In all fairness, the other cables I have are already very good but the callisto just takes it up another notch. If I could put a ruler and measure it, the actual differences in sound are probably really small, but the thing is, they're quite noticeable.
At the asking price, it is definitely in the diminishing returns category. But like I said... Finishing touches.
I have just ordered another one.
I just received the Final Touch Audio Callisto usb cable yesterday. Spent the past few hours listening to music.
For those who feel they've almost "completed" their system and looking to add that one last percent, this cable may well be that finishing touch (as the company name implies... lol).
I have the phasure lush2 and mad scientist black magic, triode wire labs discrete usb, (and previously curious evolved), and the fta callisto bests all of them.
Out of the box, the callisto takes away all upper registry edginess and glare; I had this with the lush2 but I mistook it for detail and clarity; only now is it apparent that I was poorly mistaken. Pinpoint imaging for vocals, better instrument placement, which makes for a more believable and dimensional soundstage.
Also, with this cable, nothing really jumps out in your face. At the same time, nothing is noticeably lacking. Everything seems to be balanced, in exactly the right amount. It is quite an odd feeling to finally have an idea of what people are trying to convey when they use terms like "coherence" in music.
In all fairness, the other cables I have are already very good but the callisto just takes it up another notch. If I could put a ruler and measure it, the actual differences in sound are probably really small, but the thing is, they're quite noticeable.
At the asking price, it is definitely in the diminishing returns category. But like I said... Finishing touches.
I have just ordered another one.
Yesterday I tried Callisto with Intona USB 2.0 High-Speed isolator - https://6moons.com/audioreviews2/intona/1.html
Result was similar, but in this case, there was literally no result at all - neither good, nor bad.
But...I tried another USB cable, diy, from my friend...and in this case sound was improved, but not so close to Callisto.
So...you need good cable and that's it
Result was similar, but in this case, there was literally no result at all - neither good, nor bad.
But...I tried another USB cable, diy, from my friend...and in this case sound was improved, but not so close to Callisto.
So...you need good cable and that's it
Oh my god, i had to remove my IsoRegen because it was eating the 3D effect a bit... for those who have reclockers, try it without it's much better!!!
Or maybe it's just the USPCB A>B Adapter that's clogging up...
I've had similar observations to this. I don't like anything other than Callisto between DAC and source, it seems the trade offs are always net negative.
I have an Acoustic Revive usb-1. Never had an issue. I don't hear glare or any issues. My digital plays up there with my vinyl. The best vinyl surpasses my digital. Not by a lot when I have a good rip from internal storage via HQ Player.
Anyhow, being a junkie I was thinking of trying a Shunyata Alpha USB as friends have been raving about it. Its about a $1,000 cable like the Callisto.
Anyone hear the Shunyata and have a comparison.
Anyhow, being a junkie I was thinking of trying a Shunyata Alpha USB as friends have been raving about it. Its about a $1,000 cable like the Callisto.
Anyone hear the Shunyata and have a comparison.
Hi Roasty,
Not sure if you had tried and believe it is worthwhile in view of the small $ involved for inclusion of a usd40 ifi identifier 3.0 if you will find obvious sound quality improvement as I did in what I believe what we want is avoiding 5v supply running along data line of whatever usb cable and regardless of its effective isolation/shielding.
https://ifi-audio.com/products/idefender3-0/
While using black 0v usb output of the 5v did not work for my 0.6m oyaide continental 5s with the ifi idefender 3.0 to my denafrips terminator plus dac, plugging it to 5v on usb output did .. learnt that is is not the 5v supply per se but for triggering usb input of my terminator plus dac which is why 0v output did not work.
For dac that indeed needs 5v supply, the ifi identifier 3.0 has such input for your choice of any lps via mini usb connector.
Cheers.
Richard
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