[piezoman]

Hello,

Does anyone use anything other than a cheap garbage USB link between their Bryston BDA1/2/3 - BDP-1/2/3 units?

It seems that the cheap $2.00 USB cable is the only thing that works.............I've tried 2 more exotic cables so far, and zero sound with these. This is ludicrous.

What's the gig with this nonsense?

AES-EBU works fine, but that limits my DSD capability.

[drummermitchell]

I have bda-3 and bdp-2 and use audioquest cinnamon usb and no problem.
Been a year or more.

[piezoman]

that's interesting, mitch.

i've tried Acoustic BBQ, and now Mapleshade....and I get no sound. Back to a cheap printer cable, and the sound returns.

I think that's pretty fucked up, and no one seems to understand it.

[zoom25]

All of my printer, Belkin Gold and Belden USB cables work. I have an Audioquest Forest USB that also works without issues. They definitely need to meet and/or exceed the certification requirements. Only buy from reputable brands that have the knowledge and tools to produce cables that adhere to meet the USB specification.

Unlike with analog cables, you can't get away with digital cables being (too much) out of spec, especially USB. USB requires 90 ohms. AES requires 110 and SPDIF/BNC is 75 ohms...among other things.

[piezoman]

understood.

the fact that the 2 cables i bought worked fine in other folks' high end media players & DACS just floors me when it comes to my Bryston BDA-3/BDP-2 which isn't liking the same cables.....besides, how does anyone stay in business if their cables don't work?

its just plain weird. and james tanner said he doesn't get it either.

so i guess i'm just stuck with a POS chinese $2.00 usb cable.

[zoom25]

What's the length of those 2 cables?

[piezoman]

they were 0.75m length.

[piezoman]

I have the Mapleshade Clearlink Plus in right now.....instead of connecting to any of the rear USB ports, I now connected it to one of the 2 front ports in the BDP-2.....AND NOW THERE'S SOUND!

What is going on?

BTW, imo the USB connection sound better than AES-EBU.

[James Tanner]

I have the Mapleshade Clearlink Plus in right now.....instead of connecting to any of the rear USB ports, I now connected it to one of the 2 front ports in the BDP-2.....AND NOW THERE'S SOUND!

What is going on?

BTW, imo the USB connection sound better than AES-EBU.

Hi - That's interesting - There may be something wrong on the rear USB - check with Mike Pickett as maybe its an internal cable connection issue or maybe the front and back USB are using different sections of the buss - Mike will know.  mpickett@bryston.com

james

[piezoman]

thanks James, i will check with Mike.

what's also noteworthy is that my external self-powered HD is works fine in either of the 4 rear ports. then i try the USB cables back there and.........nothing.

[James Tanner]

thanks James, i will check with Mike.

what's also noteworthy is that my external self-powered HD is works fine in either of the 4 rear ports. then i try the USB cables back there and.........nothing.

I must admit I am at a loss

james

[Rusty Jefferson]

It's not uncommon for Audiophile usb cables to work with one dac but not another. Some vendors make cables outside the protocol because they feel they sound better....when they work.

[Clive197]

I use a Curious Evolved USB between streamer and DAC which was a significant improvement over the AudioQuest Carbon that I used previously. I did try a a AudioQuest Diamond I had on loan but was not really impressed.
The only issue is you can only get the Curious direct from the maker in Australia. Well worth the effort in my opinion.

[PeterG]

use AudioQuest Carbon (0.75M) USB between BDP-3 and BDA-3.14... works well

[R. Daneel]

Many of these cable companies don't have a single engineer among their staff or even basic understanding of USB standards and minimal required specs. In other words, they make cables that aren't entirely compliant with standards and this is where problems with different equipment may arise.

If you like nice-looking cables, then buy something from companies that can at least be trusted to make a cable that's compliant.

[unincognito]

thanks James, i will check with Mike.

what's also noteworthy is that my external self-powered HD is works fine in either of the 4 rear ports. then i try the USB cables back there and.........nothing.

 The front USB ports have about 30cm of cable connecting them to the main board, could simply be this is enough to bring the signal back into spec.

Chris

[rollo]

  Might it be the exotic USB cable is not 2.0 0r other ? Having a similar issue with another DAC.

charles