[ttan98]

Hi,

Standard USB cable that I can buy from computer shop or that comes with a DAC is usually quite cheap $3-5 each.

I can buy Audio USB cable that costs about $30/metre , does it makes much difference to the sound reproduction, anyone has any experience in this area, please response. Thanks.

[low.pfile]

"Making a difference" will depend on the DAC. Asynch DACs usually don't require better USB cables due to their transfer protocols. Look up WireWorld USB cables for a good value cable (I have no tie to the company)

[Here are some previous Audio Circle threads] on USB cables to peruse.

[jdkane527]

Switching from an old 12ft usb "printer" cable to a short 0.75ft Audioquest forest usb cable helped improve transient response of my system.
Shorter length and better quality cable were biggest factors.
There were times due to my room setup, I had to use the 12ft usb cable with 25ft extender and occasionally had jitter.

[jarcher]

I tried out Wireworld Ultraviolet and Starlight USB cables vs standard cables and heard a bit of an improvement (somewhat better soundstage width / depth, a bit more definition). The difference for me between the Ultraviolet & the Starlight were harder to differentiate.  Anyway, seemed like enough of a difference to get a Ultraviolet USB cable at least, which retails for $45 for 1M.

[JeffMO]

Switching from an old 12ft usb "printer" cable to a short 0.75ft Audioquest forest usb cable helped improve transient response of my system.
Shorter length and better quality cable were biggest factors.
There were times due to my room setup, I had to use the 12ft usb cable with 25ft extender and occasionally had jitter.

Interesting. What is your measured jitter now compared to the previous cable?

[jdkane527]

Interesting. What is your measured jitter now compared to the previous cable?

No measurements done, just observations.  Previously, there would be an occasional static pop, what I thought was a disconnect of bits being transferred to my DAC.
Now, I don't hear any pops or static noises, leading me to believe that the connection is more reliable and/or has higher bandwidth than previously.
Sounds better to my ears. 

Haven't done any data tests to see if they all arrive with proper timing and bit data, so no scientific evidence.

[Hipper]

I've just started in this computer audio business and bought a cheapish usb DAC (Teac UDH01) and connected it to my laptop (employing JRiver Media Center) with the usb cable that came with it, which was thicker then your normal PC usb cable.

On first listening (on headphones), the sound was very disapointing - congested and smudged. I thought it might be that the DAC needed burning in but tried a £55 Furutech Formula 2 usb cable. The difference was obvious - wider soundstage, more detail. I added a second Furutech cable between the Hard Drive and laptop and that made an improvement in detail, but nothing of the magnitude of the laptop to DAC change.

So, in my (limited) experience, I would recommend it.

[ttan98]

HI,

 I could have perform a search before asking, anyway many thanks fellows.