slowGEEZR
Well-known member
When it comes to digital cables, I have been skeptical of the various cable maker's claims of “improved” sound of their USB cables. After all, doesn't digital cable just transfer bits, not an analog waveform? So, many would say just buy a cable that meets the basic requirements of data transfer and be done with it. There's a certain comfort in that line of reasoning, a self-assuredness that comes from a basic understanding of data transfer between computers. A bit is a bit . Yet, I have heard multi-generations of copies of digital representations of sound and they clearly deviate from the original sound with each generational copy. I also know that all digital devices do not sound the same and it seems that “jitter” has been identified by many as something that has a deleterious effect on digital sound. Cable manufacturers of today are using testing equipment when creating their cables, not just their ears and passion, as in the early days of cable design. Some have said their cables reduce “jitter”, due to their construction. This was enough justification for me to try some different USB cables between my Mac Mini and my Ayre QB-9, in order to see if I could hear any differences in the resultant sound of music coming from my speakers.
My first USB cable was a standard $2 USB cable that met the requirements of data transfer. Using it, I thought the sound from the DAC was superior in every way to the sound I got from my Pioneer Elite CD/SACD player. In fact, the redbook music from the DAC was superior sounding to the SACD music from the Pioneer. I was a happy camper. Then, I read a very positive review of the Belkin Gold USB cable by Sam Tellig, of stereophile magazine. So, I spent less than $20 on one and replaced the standard cable I had been using. To my amazement, the sound seemed to improve. Specifically? Hard to say, but in general, it seemed to not be as edgy. All the frequencies seemed to be there, but the sound just seemed to be less harsh in some way. So, I had discovered that USB cables do make some difference in the resulting sound. Time to try some other cables.
First up was a $100 audioquest cable, loaned to me by a friend. I listened to this cable for a month or so, swapping the Belkin in from time to time, to ensure I was hearing what I thought I was. I preferred the sound overall of the Belkin. The audioquest had a slight smearing quality of high frequencies, that made itself apparent time and again. It also, somehow softened the sound slightly, which some may prefer, but I found to not be as lifelike to me.
Next was a one night usage of a $600 audioquest cable, loaned to me by the same friend. He much preferred this cable to the Belkin. Me? Not so much. To my ears, there was a certain sterility to the sound that made the music sound more like it was coming from a good Hi-Fi system, but not more like reality. I couldn't justify the amount of money for the sound “improvement”.
So, I was really satisfied with my Belkin and have been for two years, now. Then I received an AudioAdvisor sale magazine and saw an ad for a Pangea 24 gauge, solid silver conductor USB cable, in half-meter length for only $49. It seemed to have “the right stuff”, so I figured, for only $49, how could I lose? Well, I didn't. All I can say is, holy cow! This was money well spent. Bits may be bits, but I am now a true believer that the precise delivery of those bits is very important. What specific differences do I hear with the Pangea? An overall clarity, an increase in detail which allows me to hear more harmonics and complexity in sound. Take Amos Lee's voice for instance. Now, I can clearly hear a more complex voice, which contains a high frequency component/element I had not noticed before, which causes his voice to sound more real. Cymbals seem to have an extra depth of metallic sheen to them that is more realistic to what I hear when I go out to listen to live music. Little details, often hidden in the murk, appear to pop out a little more, which adds to musical realism.
I highly recommend trying out the Pangea before they go off sale. You can thank me later.
My first USB cable was a standard $2 USB cable that met the requirements of data transfer. Using it, I thought the sound from the DAC was superior in every way to the sound I got from my Pioneer Elite CD/SACD player. In fact, the redbook music from the DAC was superior sounding to the SACD music from the Pioneer. I was a happy camper. Then, I read a very positive review of the Belkin Gold USB cable by Sam Tellig, of stereophile magazine. So, I spent less than $20 on one and replaced the standard cable I had been using. To my amazement, the sound seemed to improve. Specifically? Hard to say, but in general, it seemed to not be as edgy. All the frequencies seemed to be there, but the sound just seemed to be less harsh in some way. So, I had discovered that USB cables do make some difference in the resulting sound. Time to try some other cables.
First up was a $100 audioquest cable, loaned to me by a friend. I listened to this cable for a month or so, swapping the Belkin in from time to time, to ensure I was hearing what I thought I was. I preferred the sound overall of the Belkin. The audioquest had a slight smearing quality of high frequencies, that made itself apparent time and again. It also, somehow softened the sound slightly, which some may prefer, but I found to not be as lifelike to me.
Next was a one night usage of a $600 audioquest cable, loaned to me by the same friend. He much preferred this cable to the Belkin. Me? Not so much. To my ears, there was a certain sterility to the sound that made the music sound more like it was coming from a good Hi-Fi system, but not more like reality. I couldn't justify the amount of money for the sound “improvement”.
So, I was really satisfied with my Belkin and have been for two years, now. Then I received an AudioAdvisor sale magazine and saw an ad for a Pangea 24 gauge, solid silver conductor USB cable, in half-meter length for only $49. It seemed to have “the right stuff”, so I figured, for only $49, how could I lose? Well, I didn't. All I can say is, holy cow! This was money well spent. Bits may be bits, but I am now a true believer that the precise delivery of those bits is very important. What specific differences do I hear with the Pangea? An overall clarity, an increase in detail which allows me to hear more harmonics and complexity in sound. Take Amos Lee's voice for instance. Now, I can clearly hear a more complex voice, which contains a high frequency component/element I had not noticed before, which causes his voice to sound more real. Cymbals seem to have an extra depth of metallic sheen to them that is more realistic to what I hear when I go out to listen to live music. Little details, often hidden in the murk, appear to pop out a little more, which adds to musical realism.
I highly recommend trying out the Pangea before they go off sale. You can thank me later.
