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Post by Slinger on Oct 29, 2019 17:07:28 GMT
OK, that's a bit grandiose, perhaps. This is just a continuation what was turning into a sub-thread in the Building a USB Volumio Network Streamer post. I'm trying to sort out a cable for my ASUS Tinker Board S/Volumio streamer, and this is where I am. What needs to be remembered is that this is my "second" system, and in no way, shape, or form, can I compete with what Martin has done. This is me building a serviceable streamer on a budget, if you like. It has already eclipsed the Raspberry Pi based system which I built up previously. To recap, I started out with an Oyaide NEO d+ USB (Class B) cable, which took a long time to reach what I assume is its peak potential. It doesn't sound too shabby now. In between times, I swapped in a cheap 'n' cheerful JuicEBitz cable to get some sort of baseline and although it punched well above its £3.49 price it couldn't really live with the Oyaide. I'm currently "auditioning" one of three Chinese cables I ordered before I bagged a serious bargain, an AudioQuest Carbon. This is a " 2019 Nordost Valhalla Top-rated Silver Plated + shield USB Cable Type A to Type B Hifi Data Cable For DAC" and it has no distinguishing marks on it so it's not really physically pretending to be a Nordost. I've been running it for about 24 hours I suppose, and it's already on a par with the Oyaide. The bass is really giving my sub a good workout. I played Marcus Miller's "Renaissance" album and was impressed with the way the system handled his incredible bass playing. I wasn't just listening to bass, I was listening to bass guitar if that makes sense. The top end still needs a bit of taming, which is why I want to give it a bit more time. In the meantime, my AudioQuest Carbon has arrived so unless another of my Chinese choices turns up by, say, Thursday, it'll be going in next.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 29, 2019 20:58:02 GMT
Let us know what you find. Should the 'Nordost' match or beat the AQ Carbon, I think they might have a run on this model!
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Post by Slinger on Nov 1, 2019 20:47:18 GMT
Verdict on the Chinese Nordost: Not a bad cable at all, especially for the enormous sum of £11.38, but the top end is what lets it down; it's a bit shouty. My next cable has landed in the UK so I'm guessing it'll be with me in three or four days. I'll hold off on hooking up the AQ Carbon for the time being rather than put it in for a few days, only to remove it again. In the meantime, if I can find time between rugby and footy, I'll try out my latest brainwave and determine whether my DAC requires power from the USB in, or not.
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Post by Slinger on Nov 3, 2019 16:46:34 GMT
I put Chinese cable #2 in last night. That's the "ATAUDIO Silver-plated QED Hifi usb Cable High Quality Type A to B DAC Data USB Cable" model. First/second impressions are that it's quite " polite" straight out of the box. I was going to complain about the comparative lack of bass, but then I remembered that I'd unplugged my sub. Again it's quite well made, but I'm not sure why it requires the directional arrows. I'm sticking with "polite" for now. There are no rough edges, but there's very little excitement either. For £11.86 I can't really complain though. Maybe it would help "tame" a system that's a bit more in-you-face than mine it? I don't know. I'm hopeful that the third, and final, cheap 'n' cheerful Chinese cable will turn up tomorrow or Tuesday.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 3, 2019 18:32:49 GMT
Meanwhile, my two AQ cables have settled down rather nicely. Looking forward to your findings. Those Chinese cables are great value for money and look well made, have to say.
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Post by Slinger on Nov 3, 2019 20:36:25 GMT
I'm fast coming to the conclusion that I was being far too polite when I described this cable as polite. Everything seems to be compressed into the middle middle with no serious top or bottom end in evidence.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 3, 2019 21:24:52 GMT
So the 'Nordost' is better than the 'QED'?
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Post by Slinger on Nov 3, 2019 22:20:13 GMT
So the 'Nordost' is better than the 'QED'? Without a shadow of a doubt, Martin. Hopefully my third and last cable will arrive tomorrow and I can give that a couple of days to run in, and then, finally, drop the AQ Carbon in. The third cable is a "High Quality Dual Magnetic ring A-B USB Cable / Canare L-4E6S Audio-cable for Hifi DAC Amplifier." It states that it's made using Canare L-4E6S cable, which is a cheap "starquad" microphone cable so who knows what it'll sound like?
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Post by MartinT on Nov 4, 2019 6:26:27 GMT
I would worry about the use of ferrite chokes on a USB data cable (you don't want to round the leading edges of the signal as it may cause more jitter even as it's reducing noise). Otherwise, give it a go since it uses 'Canare'. My apostrophe key is working overtime when describing all these Chinese cables
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Post by Slinger on Nov 4, 2019 12:38:55 GMT
I would worry about the use of ferrite chokes on a USB data cable (you don't want to round the leading edges of the signal as it may cause more jitter even as it's reducing noise). Otherwise, give it a go since it uses 'Canare'. My apostrophe key is working overtime when describing all these Chinese cables The chokes are already off, and I know what you mean about the apostrophe key. There are a surprising number of USB cables on AliExpress with snap chokes, some of them are even shrink-wrapped over and look vaguely reminiscent of well-fed pythons. I shall plumb #3 in after lunch (and after watching e1 of His Dark Materials) and give my little gizmo a road-test into the bargain, to see if I can cut the power connections and use it as a pure data cable. I must admit though, the more I read the less likely it seems.
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Post by Slinger on Nov 4, 2019 15:57:44 GMT
My immediate reaction to #3 is that it's all bottom and middle. Somebody stole the snare and cymbals.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 4, 2019 18:03:22 GMT
Remarkable differences, though. And still some people claim all USB cables sound the same because it's data, innit?
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Post by Slinger on Nov 4, 2019 18:41:03 GMT
I must say, the differences have certainly surprised me.
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Post by Slinger on Nov 5, 2019 20:02:19 GMT
This this cable is having a laugh. The treble has increased, although not as much as I'd have liked, but as the treble has increased so the bass has decreased. There is, however, tons of "middle". Of the three cables I've just tried out I could probably live with the "Nordost" model, but I'd also be on the lookout for something better. Bearing in mind, though, that it only cost £11.38, including delivery from China I'd say it was a bargain. Tomorrow the AQ Carbon goes in.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 5, 2019 21:02:31 GMT
Give the AQ a while to burn in, keep the signal going through it if possible. I think the Carbon is a bit good, both of mine.
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Post by Slinger on Nov 6, 2019 15:35:44 GMT
AQ Carbon in, and straight out of the box (it was advertised as "Opened – never used") it's a step up in class. It's already a good fifty-quid's worth, and I never thought I'd be caught saying things like that. AudioQuest seem to have struck some sort of balance between normal, and outrageously expensive, although they do those too if you've got the money and the mindset. If somebody had told me, 6 months ago, that I'd be spending £50.00 on a USB cable and lauding it as a bargain (the "right" price is just shy of £120.00 don't forget) I'd most probably have laughed in your face. I've also, definitely, turned into an AudioQuest fanboy. I've also got my AV system completely rigged out with AQ cables too, and the picture quality has definitely improved, and it was good to start with. I'm now wondering if the cable from my SMSL Q5 Pro into the PC would benefit from an upgrade.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 6, 2019 15:43:30 GMT
I'm now wondering if the cable from my SMSL Q5 Pro into the PC would benefit from an upgrade. You know it would...
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Post by MartinT on Nov 8, 2019 21:08:38 GMT
How's that Carbon coming along, Paul?
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Post by Slinger on Nov 8, 2019 21:42:18 GMT
How's that Carbon coming along, Paul? It's settling in nicely thanks, Martin. It's in a different class than my Chinese test cables, but at a little over ten times the price, so it should be. I can honestly say that my second system has never sounded so good, and hopefully there's more improvement to come with the LPSU and my new speaker cable, not to mention the new base and supports... when I get my arse into gear, finally. I think I said before, I'm going to try my MA Silver 2 speakers in the setup too. I very much like what they do with my NVA system.
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Post by John on Nov 9, 2019 4:47:42 GMT
Good to hear this has worked out
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