Looking to replace my current Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB 20G cable. Very good cable but needs to be recharged like every 2 days of normal use, forget it and it's dead. I'm looking at a Siltech Royal Signature Golden Universal II at the moment but suggestions in the $2-3000 area are welcome. Not interested in lower priced ones because I own plenty of those already.
USB cable suggestions
- Thread starter Drikus
- Start date
Drikus,
A while back when I wanted a USB cable for my headphone amp/dac I came across user feedback that said Vertere HB usb was better than the crystal cable absolute dream usb. At 1/3 of the price. The article also said that the CAD usb cable was better than the Verter HB at ½ price.
The figures I‘m going to quote below are in Australian Dollars.
CAD I would have had to import from UK as there were no dealers in Australia – so I took the easy way out and bought the Vertere HB usb at around the $2,800 mark. I was pleased with it seem go dig deep extract quite a bit of detail, it seems to produce a high res sound and was quite musical. I used it for two years without any changes. Then recently they made a few tweaks to it – so I sent my cable to be upgraded to the latest revision. All good – seemed to be better than the old version.
I then decided to get the CAD2 USB (now in Mk2 design), this was around the $1700 mark, imported directly from UK. I put it in and let it run in, it seemed to be better than the Vertere HB USB – it gave a natural presentation and was a little fuller/deeper in the bass – so this is now my default usb cable.
Recently (only two weeks ago) a dealer asked me to try the Skogrand Grieg which is $3,000 – once bedded in I compared to my own CAD USB 2 cable. I felt that the CAD was a little better in some areas while the Grieg was better in a couple of others.
CAD2 US produces a little more transparent sound, possibly better in the bass and a little bigger sound stage (I’m using expensive headphones/headphone amp – so take my finding with a pinch of salt about the soundstage). A neutral tone. While the Skogrand Grieg produce a slightly more musical sound (for want for better words a little more analogue sound) and possibly with just a hint of warmth. But it’s not as transparent and not quite as full in the bass – but still an excellent usb cable.
And If you read other user feedback on this forum – looks like you also need to try Intona Ultimate USB cable.
So, my recommendation in the price range you are looking is to try some of these:
Vertere HB USB
https://vertereacoustics.com/product/digital-cable/pulse-hb-usb-digital-cable/
Computer Audio Design - CAD 2 USB
https://www.computeraudiodesign.com/cad-usb-cables/
Skogrand Grieg
https://www.skograndcables.com/skogrand-grieg
Intona Ultimate USB (it may not be quite on the web site)
https://pro.intona.eu/en/stories/cable
A while back when I wanted a USB cable for my headphone amp/dac I came across user feedback that said Vertere HB usb was better than the crystal cable absolute dream usb. At 1/3 of the price. The article also said that the CAD usb cable was better than the Verter HB at ½ price.
The figures I‘m going to quote below are in Australian Dollars.
CAD I would have had to import from UK as there were no dealers in Australia – so I took the easy way out and bought the Vertere HB usb at around the $2,800 mark. I was pleased with it seem go dig deep extract quite a bit of detail, it seems to produce a high res sound and was quite musical. I used it for two years without any changes. Then recently they made a few tweaks to it – so I sent my cable to be upgraded to the latest revision. All good – seemed to be better than the old version.
I then decided to get the CAD2 USB (now in Mk2 design), this was around the $1700 mark, imported directly from UK. I put it in and let it run in, it seemed to be better than the Vertere HB USB – it gave a natural presentation and was a little fuller/deeper in the bass – so this is now my default usb cable.
Recently (only two weeks ago) a dealer asked me to try the Skogrand Grieg which is $3,000 – once bedded in I compared to my own CAD USB 2 cable. I felt that the CAD was a little better in some areas while the Grieg was better in a couple of others.
CAD2 US produces a little more transparent sound, possibly better in the bass and a little bigger sound stage (I’m using expensive headphones/headphone amp – so take my finding with a pinch of salt about the soundstage). A neutral tone. While the Skogrand Grieg produce a slightly more musical sound (for want for better words a little more analogue sound) and possibly with just a hint of warmth. But it’s not as transparent and not quite as full in the bass – but still an excellent usb cable.
And If you read other user feedback on this forum – looks like you also need to try Intona Ultimate USB cable.
So, my recommendation in the price range you are looking is to try some of these:
Vertere HB USB
https://vertereacoustics.com/product/digital-cable/pulse-hb-usb-digital-cable/
Computer Audio Design - CAD 2 USB
https://www.computeraudiodesign.com/cad-usb-cables/
Skogrand Grieg
https://www.skograndcables.com/skogrand-grieg
Intona Ultimate USB (it may not be quite on the web site)
https://pro.intona.eu/en/stories/cable
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I do not know the actual prices of Stavessence usb cables but in my stysem their Apricity usb cable was on the same level as Entreq Atlantis which is in your price bracket.
http://gpoint-audio.com/our-collection/stavessence/
PS The prices on their website are 2500 Euro net for each cable :
http://stavessence.audio/ordering/
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Empirical Audio
Industry Expert
I like the WireWorld Platinum if you have not tried it yet.
A bigger improvement would be to get 2 cables and use this in-line:
https://sotm-usa.com/collections/sotm-ultra/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1
The problems with USB seem to be minimized when using this device. I would recommend the $500 power supply to go with it. I have no affiliation.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
A bigger improvement would be to get 2 cables and use this in-line:
https://sotm-usa.com/collections/sotm-ultra/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1
The problems with USB seem to be minimized when using this device. I would recommend the $500 power supply to go with it. I have no affiliation.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
No more battery packs or power supplies for me after my experience with the Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB 20G. It said on the Light Harmonic site that it had enough internal charge to last for hundreds of hours of normal use when charged. Mine lasted for just 2 days of normal use! Asked Larry Ho about this and he said that I should leave it connected to a 5v charger all the time, the 20G will use battery power and automatic charge via that charger when needed. That wasn't mentioned on the Light Harmonic site when I bought it but he said and I quote "I think we should improve our web page to explain", which he did by the looks of it. I did what he said, connected it but no use, no handshake anymore with my dac for some reason.
Nothing much to share because I made the move from a Mac to a dedicated network streamer like two weeks after I got hold of the Siltech but I got hooked from the first notes I heard in the short time it was in my system. Huge leap forward from my previous cable, a Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB 20G. I've replaced most of my cabling since then with various Siltech Royal Signature's cables, I was that impressed.
It's for sale if you're interested.
It's for sale if you're interested.
Hi Drikus,
I asked for your findings because I am looking for a digital interlink between my Aurender N10 and Nagra DAC.
I have tried several SPDIF cables (Shunyata, Echole, Acrolink) over the last couple of months; both RCA and AES/EBU. The Dutch Siltech importer will send me an AES/EBU Golden Eagle for evaluation in one of the coming weeks
I stayed away from the USB connection because it was less musical in my opinion, though on the other hand the benefits of an asynchronous connection are evident as well. Even though I am using a cheap generic USB cable at the moment, the precision and PRAT are evident.
A few days ago I asked the importer for his advice on the possibility of using the USB connection.
It comes down to finding an good balance between the qualities of the type of connection and the choice of cable.
It is good to know that your Siltech is available. Where are you based?
Kindest regards, A1
I asked for your findings because I am looking for a digital interlink between my Aurender N10 and Nagra DAC.
I have tried several SPDIF cables (Shunyata, Echole, Acrolink) over the last couple of months; both RCA and AES/EBU. The Dutch Siltech importer will send me an AES/EBU Golden Eagle for evaluation in one of the coming weeks
I stayed away from the USB connection because it was less musical in my opinion, though on the other hand the benefits of an asynchronous connection are evident as well. Even though I am using a cheap generic USB cable at the moment, the precision and PRAT are evident.
A few days ago I asked the importer for his advice on the possibility of using the USB connection.
It comes down to finding an good balance between the qualities of the type of connection and the choice of cable.
It is good to know that your Siltech is available. Where are you based?
Kindest regards, A1
One more serious USB cable....
Great review. I couldn’t say it better.
http://hifipig.com/gobel-lacorde-statement-usb-and-ethernet-cables/
I have Siltech Royal Signature Empress/Emperor/Double Crown line IC, PC and SC, but to my taste they doesn’t work right on digital....
My beloved USB cable....the ethernet one is even better and the PC is doing miracles on my system.
Great review. I couldn’t say it better.
http://hifipig.com/gobel-lacorde-statement-usb-and-ethernet-cables/
I have Siltech Royal Signature Empress/Emperor/Double Crown line IC, PC and SC, but to my taste they doesn’t work right on digital....
My beloved USB cable....the ethernet one is even better and the PC is doing miracles on my system.
Synergistic's Galileo USB cable is the best I have tried.
On the more affordable side, Black Cat's Digit is excellent.
On the more affordable side, Black Cat's Digit is excellent.
I cannot share a comparison but my thoughts on the Denali are here. It is an excellent piece.
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2018/03/24/review-the-shunyata-denalis-towering-achievement/
Final Touch Audio Callisto. Buy now, thank me later. Quite affordable too. (From Serbia).
I am a cable believer since young..been trying quite a few USB cables this lately after I started the digital audio. The last one is FTA Callisto. Honestly, the 1st time I powered up my systems and pressed play, I was like..@ASdlehtrler*CSlfjds!!!
I couldn't believe what just had happened. The difference was like I just upgraded an equipment. The sound stage expands to all direction, the walls beside and behind the speakers simply disappeared completely. I've never heard this kind of bass, so dynamic, full sounding, deep and textural.
I have several friends who are pretty familiar with my systems because they follow every upgrade path I take. We meet quite often especially in the evening till midnight just for listening.
When they were here the last time after I replace my USB cable, they were struck as well and they asked why have I upgraded. At first I said nothing, I only adjusted the speaker placement (chuckled). They didn't believe and asked me to turn on the light and did physical inspection on my systems. LOLS. They knew every equipment I have but they didn't pay attention to the cable behind those equipment. In their mind, I must have upgraded an equipment.
After passing 100++ hours, this insane USB cable got even better. It has the quietest background, airy highs and earth pounding bass. I can't believe that the small investment on this cable resulted in such a dramatic improvement either.
I believe everyone out there who plays digital audio, should spend some time to review this cable at least once before making a real purchase.
I couldn't believe what just had happened. The difference was like I just upgraded an equipment. The sound stage expands to all direction, the walls beside and behind the speakers simply disappeared completely. I've never heard this kind of bass, so dynamic, full sounding, deep and textural.
I have several friends who are pretty familiar with my systems because they follow every upgrade path I take. We meet quite often especially in the evening till midnight just for listening.
When they were here the last time after I replace my USB cable, they were struck as well and they asked why have I upgraded. At first I said nothing, I only adjusted the speaker placement (chuckled). They didn't believe and asked me to turn on the light and did physical inspection on my systems. LOLS. They knew every equipment I have but they didn't pay attention to the cable behind those equipment. In their mind, I must have upgraded an equipment.
After passing 100++ hours, this insane USB cable got even better. It has the quietest background, airy highs and earth pounding bass. I can't believe that the small investment on this cable resulted in such a dramatic improvement either.
I believe everyone out there who plays digital audio, should spend some time to review this cable at least once before making a real purchase.
Enjoying the FTA USB for several weeks. Bass and Imaging are the standouts for this cable. It is a performer, highly recommeded!
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