USB cable recommended?

[luca.pelliccioli]

Has anyone compared Stealth to CAD/IIR? Greg Weaver likes Stealth for Ideon.

I posted, (can’t remember where/when) a direct comparison between STEALTH Double Tune vs Muon2 vs CAD IIR and maybe vs Pink Faun.

I will forever thank @Synaxis for introducing me to the STEALTH, I still find it to be the best in my system today. Second the Muon2, third the Pink Faun.

I love CAD products and I’m using several GC1s and USB Control but didn’t like their USB cable IIR.

 

[Tabl10s]

I posted, (can’t remember where/when) a direct comparison between STEALTH Double Tune vs Muon2 vs CAD IIR and maybe vs Pink Faun.

I will forever thank @Synaxis for introducing me to the STEALTH, I still find it to be the best in my system today. Second the Muon2, third the Pink Faun.

I love CAD products and I’m using several GC1s and USB Control but didn’t like their USB cable IIR.

Was the IIR broken-in?

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

How much music playback time would you consider a decent burn-in?

 

[Tabl10s]

Dunno.

 

[jasbirnandra]

If anyone has not tried the polish NxLT usb try it it's phenomenal

 

[nortberg]

If anyone has not tried the polish NxLT usb try it it's phenomenal

What is the pricing on the cable?

 

[Tatomek7]

I was using for quite long time Sablon, and still I think it's great USB cable for the price ( 2020 and Evo ). Lately I had for a test QSA Lanedri Infinity Gamma and KBL Sound Extrema and both of them are on different, much higher level of performance and price at the same time.
QSA requires at least 150h of burn in and the beginning of the process is really painful. KBL gets full performance much quicker.

 

[KBL Sound]

I was using for quite long time Sablon, and still I think it's great USB cable for the price ( 2020 and Evo ). Lately I had for a test QSA Lanedri Infinity Gamma and KBL Sound Extrema and both of them are on different, much higher level of performance and price at the same time.
QSA requires at least 150h of burn in and the beginning of the process is really painful. KBL gets full performance much quicker.

Can you tell more about the differences between these two better cables and their characteristics in your system? What did you connect them to?

 

[Blake]

I recently conducted head-to-head USB comparisons with the KBL Hyperprism, Sablon Evo (still the best "bang for the buck" USB cable in my opinion and experience), Stealth Audio Select-T and the QSA Gamma Infinity.

I swapped USB cables back and forth over about 3 weeks of testing, taking notes along with way, while listening to my go to audio test tracks, in both my headphone system and my speaker system, although the vast majority of the time, I used my speaker system for testing.

I believe KBL Hyperprism is second from the top, KBL Extrema being the top digital cable in the KBL line up.

Prior to my testing, Stealth Audio Select-T was my favorite USB of all time.

After my head-to-head testing, my favorites, in order:

1. QSA Gamma Infinity
2. KBL Hyperprism
3. Stealth Audio Select-T
4. Sablon Evo

Compared to Sablon and Stealth, KBL Hyperprism had a more spacious sound, improved clarity/detail, and I thought tonality was more realistic with the Hyperprism, but QSA had a "presence" or a "the performers are in the room" aspect that ultimately bettered the others.

To put things in context, I thought the Hyperprism was a big enough improvement over Stealth and Sablon that would have caused me to purchase the Hyperprism, and if I didn't have the QSA for comparison, I would have bought the Hyperprism.

I think KBL Hyperprism vs QSA Gamma Infinity is not quite a fair fight as they are in a bit different pricing categories. KBL Extrema vs QSA Gamma Infinity would be more appropriate as they are more similar in cost and Extrema is the top of the line for KBL, while Gamma Infinity is by default the top of the line as I believe it is the only QSA USB cable.

I ended up buying QSA, one for my headphone system, and one for my speaker system.

If you want to stay below the cost of the QSA or KBL Extrema, then, you really need to hear the KBL Hyperprism. It is exceptional.

I know KBL is somewhat unknown here in the USA, but it is definitely a brand to put on your radar.

KBL Extrema vs QSA would be an interesting comparison for me... perhaps it could come down to synergy and subjective preferences, or perhaps one would better then other, but, that is simply a guess on my part as I haven't heard Extrema.

Ultimately, you need to hear each of these cables in your own system and come to your own conclusions.

 

[Synaxis]

I recently conducted head-to-head USB comparisons with the KBL Hyperprism, Sablon Evo (still the best "bang for the buck" USB cable in my opinion and experience), Stealth Audio Select-T and the QSA Gamma Infinity.

I swapped USB cables back and forth over about 3 weeks of testing, taking notes along with way, while listening to my go to audio test tracks, in both my headphone system and my speaker system, although the vast majority of the time, I used my speaker system for testing.

I believe KBL Hyperprism is second from the top, KBL Extrema being the top digital cable in the KBL line up.

Prior to my testing, Stealth Audio Select-T was my favorite USB of all time.

After my head-to-head testing, my favorites, in order:

1. QSA Gamma Infinity
2. KBL Hyperprism
3. Stealth Audio Select-T
4. Sablon Evo

Compared to Sablon and Stealth, KBL Hyperprism had a more spacious sound, improved clarity/detail, and I thought tonality was more realistic with the Hyperprism, but QSA had a "presence" or a "the performers are in the room" aspect that ultimately bettered the others.

To put things in context, I thought the Hyperprism was a big enough improvement over Stealth and Sablon that would have caused me to purchase the Hyperprism, and if I didn't have the QSA for comparison, I would have bought the Hyperprism.

I think KBL Hyperprism vs QSA Gamma Infinity is not quite a fair fight as they are in a bit different pricing categories. KBL Extrema vs QSA Gamma Infinity would be more appropriate as they are more similar in cost and Extrema is the top of the line for KBL, while Gamma Infinity is by default the top of the line as I believe it is the only QSA USB cable.

I ended up buying QSA, one for my headphone system, and one for my speaker system.

If you want to stay below the cost of the QSA or KBL Extrema, then, you really need to hear the KBL Hyperprism. It is exceptional.

I know KBL is somewhat unknown here in the USA, but it is definitely a brand to put on your radar.

KBL Extrema vs QSA would be an interesting comparison for me... perhaps it could come down to synergy and subjective preferences, or perhaps one would better then other, but, that is simply a guess on my part as I haven't heard Extrema.

Ultimately, you need to hear each of these cables in your own system and come to your own conclusions.

Thanks for taking the time to type that up and share your thoughts with us.

 

[KBL Sound]

Anyone who would like to try the USB EXtrema or any ther KBL Sound cable is welcome. We can discuss the terms of rental. My direct contact is info@kblsound.com

 

[jasbirnandra]

What is the pricing on the cable?

Top of the line which is flame is 707 euros for a 1 mts it's some unusual red copper sourced from japan cables are hand built cryoed it takes 10 days for the complete process and factory burn in visit the website Nxlt.eu

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Top of the line which is flame is 707 euros for a 1 mts it's some unusual red copper sourced from japan cables are hand built cryoed it takes 10 days for the complete process and factory burn in visit the website Nxlt.eu

It is made of OFC copper. Nothing really special.

 

[Jeffy]

I recently conducted head-to-head USB comparisons with the KBL Hyperprism, Sablon Evo (still the best "bang for the buck" USB cable in my opinion and experience), Stealth Audio Select-T and the QSA Gamma Infinity.

I swapped USB cables back and forth over about 3 weeks of testing, taking notes along with way, while listening to my go to audio test tracks, in both my headphone system and my speaker system, although the vast majority of the time, I used my speaker system for testing.

I believe KBL Hyperprism is second from the top, KBL Extrema being the top digital cable in the KBL line up.

Prior to my testing, Stealth Audio Select-T was my favorite USB of all time.

After my head-to-head testing, my favorites, in order:

1. QSA Gamma Infinity
2. KBL Hyperprism
3. Stealth Audio Select-T
4. Sablon Evo

Compared to Sablon and Stealth, KBL Hyperprism had a more spacious sound, improved clarity/detail, and I thought tonality was more realistic with the Hyperprism, but QSA had a "presence" or a "the performers are in the room" aspect that ultimately bettered the others.

To put things in context, I thought the Hyperprism was a big enough improvement over Stealth and Sablon that would have caused me to purchase the Hyperprism, and if I didn't have the QSA for comparison, I would have bought the Hyperprism.

I think KBL Hyperprism vs QSA Gamma Infinity is not quite a fair fight as they are in a bit different pricing categories. KBL Extrema vs QSA Gamma Infinity would be more appropriate as they are more similar in cost and Extrema is the top of the line for KBL, while Gamma Infinity is by default the top of the line as I believe it is the only QSA USB cable.

I ended up buying QSA, one for my headphone system, and one for my speaker system.

If you want to stay below the cost of the QSA or KBL Extrema, then, you really need to hear the KBL Hyperprism. It is exceptional.

I know KBL is somewhat unknown here in the USA, but it is definitely a brand to put on your radar.

KBL Extrema vs QSA would be an interesting comparison for me... perhaps it could come down to synergy and subjective preferences, or perhaps one would better then other, but, that is simply a guess on my part as I haven't heard Extrema.

Ultimately, you need to hear each of these cables in your own system and come to your own conclusions.

How about Ethernet cables?

 

[Blake]

How about Ethernet cables?

I have not done much in terms of A/B comparisons on ethernet cables, just a few swaps here and there.

I have rolled maybe 5 or 6 SFP/SFP+ modules for fiber optic cables, and the sonic differences between them are surprisingly large.

I run a 3 switch front end (daisy chained together), which isn't state of the art by any means, but, it gets the job done for now. The Sotm switches are probably getting a little bit long in the tooth, but, they are very reliable and provide a nice sonic uptick.

From the router > Sablon ethernet > Sotm switch > QSA Lanedri Gamma Infinity SFP+ DAC cable > Sotm switch > Sablon ethernet > Ansuz switch > Stealth Audio Black Magic version 21 ethernet > streamer.

 

[Wised]

I have a Curious USB cable, it is about 6 inches long. I just tried a 1M Pangea and to my surprise it sounded better! Is it because of the longer length or the cable itself? I know the Pangea usb is considered an el cheap- o cable, can someone recommend something better?

Thanks,
ozzy.

USB cables carry data, AKA ones and zeros. As long as they can do so without interference or drop out they all sound exactly the same. If one sounded different from another, the other one was boken. Even the cheapest USB cable you can buy at Home Depot is rated for gigabits of transmission rate, thousands of times the necessary bandwidth for music data transmission. A "better" cable may have gold plated connectors to avoid corrosion and a better quality jacket, which costs a few pennies extra per foot, yet it will have otherwise zero effect on sound quality.

 

[Cellcbern]

USB cables carry data, AKA ones and zeros. As long as they can do so without interference or drop out they all sound exactly the same. If one sounded different from another, the other one was boken. Even the cheapest USB cable you can buy at Home Depot is rated for gigabits of transmission rate, thousands of times the necessary bandwidth for music data transmission. A "better" cable may have gold plated connectors to avoid corrosion and a better quality jacket, which costs a few pennies extra per foot, yet it will have otherwise zero effect on sound quality.

No cable carries "ones and zeroes". All digital cables USB included carry electrical impulses (which correspond to ones and zeros) and therefore are subject to noise and distortion similar to analogue cables.

I have compared a number of USB cables in different price ranges and the differences in sound quality have been similar to what I've experienced when comparing interconnects, speaker cables, and power cables. As with analogue cables the higher end, more expensive USB cables have generally sounded much better than basic, inexpensive USB cables.


FYI:

Why USB Cables Can Make a Difference - Positive Feedback

So there is this controversy of sorts… well not really for many of us, but certainly for some of us. See, the argument is that USB cables cannot and will not change the sound since it is just passing along 1's and 0's from point A to point B. It is all digital and so there... Read More »

positive-feedback.com

 

[Anyoldears]

USB cables carry data, AKA ones and zeros. As long as they can do so without interference or drop out they all sound exactly the same. If one sounded different from another, the other one was boken. Even the cheapest USB cable you can buy at Home Depot is rated for gigabits of transmission rate, thousands of times the necessary bandwidth for music data transmission. A "better" cable may have gold plated connectors to avoid corrosion and a better quality jacket, which costs a few pennies extra per foot, yet it will have otherwise zero effect on sound quality.

Yep as above, this is an expected outcome rather than an outcome determined by listening. USB cables do make all sorts of differences, I compared 8 of them here https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/usb-cable-shootout-8-cables-tested.37488/ and all sounded different in different ways despite just carrying "ones and zeros". Those "numbers" are made up of voltages, so there is some discussion as to why there are differences, but there are differences is not questioned by anyone who has actually done the listening experiments

 

[Wised]

Yep as above, this is an expected outcome rather than an outcome determined by listening. USB cables do make all sorts of differences, I compared 8 of them here https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/usb-cable-shootout-8-cables-tested.37488/ and all sounded different in different ways despite just carrying "ones and zeros". Those "numbers" are made up of voltages, so there is some discussion as to why there are differences, but there are differences is not questioned by anyone who has actually done the listening experiments

Again, ones and zeros, on and off. Voltage on voltage off. Thats it. As long as the wire has enough bandwith (they all do) they will sound the same since there is no audio effect of the cable at all involved. Its science. Same thing as morse code on a telegram cable thousands of miles long, but the pulsations are measued in nanoseconds because its a computer instead of a guy using his finger for every pulse. It's science. If there was actually any sonic difference It may be because a very cheap wire did not have enogh bandwith to support the stream and thus trasfer rates would be throttled, but knowing modern transfer rates of USB abd betworking cable that would be virtually impossible.

 

[Wised]

Again, ones and zeros, on and off. Voltage on voltage off. Thats it. As long as the wire has enough bandwith (they all do) they will sound the same since there is no audio effect of the cable at all involved. Its science. Same thing as morse code on a telegram cable thousands of miles long, but the pulsations are measued in nanoseconds because its a computer instead of a guy using his finger for every pulse. If there was actually any sonic difference it may be because a very cheap wire did not have enough bandwith to support the stream and thus trasfer rates would be throttled, but knowing modern transfer rates of USB and networking cable that would be virtually impossible.