Hapa Audio (Aero Tour)I only have USB connections between my Streamer/Server and DAC. No coax or BNC connections in my system. So the coax and BNC cables did not come out to play.
For this round of “Cable Testing” I didn’t want to make any changes to my system at all. No cables, tubes, or components were touched, nothing unplugged and replugged other than the USB cables under review. I use a “iFi iSilencer” that came with the purchase of my EMBER USB cable. All 3 cables were plugged into the iSilencer during evaluation.
I own an Ember USB cable that Jason made for me about a year ago. I have been through a couple of USB cables, a Curious Cable, and a P.I. Audio. Both of which are very fine USB cables, but the Ember relinquished them both to closet duty. Just FYI, these are the only USB cables that I have direct experience with.
Areo Au (silver) USB When the cables arrived, I started off with the Areo Ag USB (Wouldn’t you?).
Right away there was a noticeable increase in details.
Everything was just more Present/There. I know, “Everything” sounds like a generic description. I mean everything.
The presentation of a piano was a step up , not sure how how to describe, it was just better than I’ve ever heard a piano in my room before. Percussion,Percussion, wow every instrument had a closer to real sound than my system had ever presented before, very intriguing. Cowbells, rim shots, tambourines, all had a more distinct sound/feel. The shimmer, and decay of the cymbals was EXCELLENT. .
Vocals. OMG, here I also heard more improvements. First, all the Back up singers I came across during my evaluation were easier to hear and understand. It sound to me as if my system was speaking more clearly and I could hear/understand easier. Actually it was as if every instrument was also speaking more clearly, allowing me to hear MORE of the timbre/tone color, decay and space within the soundstage.
Stringed instruments. This is where I was most impressed, at how well my system could now present the decay and reverb a guitar. It was absolutely apparent to me that the Decay, as well as the True Tone of the strings were now more audible.
I would like to describe it. As if the gain was raised, raising the details and nuances deep within the music. The volume of the small details were raised to volume level of the rest of the music.!
I hope that makes sense.?
All of this coming from nothing other than swapping out the USB cable.
The HAPA Areo Ag USB cable ,made me want to listen more music, and how great my system was performing.
Which is My definition of an Audiophile Quality component.
Aero (copper) USB cable.The Aero Cu USB ,
I’m not going to go into as much detail about this one.
The Cu has a lot of the attributes of the Ag, as far as increased Details, Holographic-ness, Tonality, Ect.
The longer I listened to the Cu the more I was enjoying the improvements over my Ember USB.
(5) days was not enough for me, I wanted to spend more time with the Cu in my system.
There was no doubt, the Areo Cu is a step up from my Ember USB cable.
A couple of my notes for the Aero Cu USB below;
(When listening to Desmond Dekker’s “Israelites” I felt a new dimension to the song. )
(It seemed to me that “Everything” was elevated up a notch or two across the board (compared to the Ember USB), Bass, Treble, Voices, Holographic staging, you get the picture)
Difference-
In comparison to Au, the Cu had a slight loss of decay and shimmer to cymbals. Same goes for voices, and guitars.
The Au has a way of bringing out the last bit of details.
Conclusion-
The Au is better than the Cu and the Cu is better than the Ember.
Which, quite simply they should be, as the prices indicate.
But does the increase in price, equal the increase in performance.?
I’m not sure how to measure the increments in performance between the 3 cables.
Let me just say that the level of engagement and enjoyment of music increased accordingly with each cable level upgrade.!
After hearing the difference in performance with both the Au and Cu USB cables, it’s going to be difficult to be completely satisfied with my system. Sadly these cables are a major stretch for my USB cable budget. I have been very happy with the Ember and will continue to be happy using it. But I know that when I’m ready for an upgrade to my system, HAPA Audio’s Aero Cables will be on top of the list.
It’s hard to swallow, but we all know by now.
The system is only as good as the weakest link.
The USB cable in my system is the first link connecting the source, and apparently it can be improved upon.
System at time of review- (its been about 6-8 months with this exact combination)
P.I. Audio- - (Ethernet)
InnuOS-Zen (Streamer/Server)(Tidal)
Hapa Audio- Ember (USB)
Holo Audio- Spring3 kte (DAC)(volume control)
Hapa Audio- Breathe S (RCA)
Decware- Zrock2 (bass restoration)
Hapa Audio- Ember (RCA)
Decware- CSP3 (preamp)(headphone amp)
Hapa Audio- Breathe (RCA)
Aric Audio- Super 300B SET (speaker amp)
Zenwave- SCR:14 (speaker cables)
Tekton- Double Impact SE (speakers)
Tekton- Enzo (12” sub) x 2
Dedicated 20 amp circuit,,
10 awg to (3)P.I. Audio duplexes (1) for each sub woofer and (1) for the system,,
The P.I. Audio UberBUSS is connected to the duplex with a TWL 7 awg power cable,,
From there everything is connected the the UberBUSS via a mix of TWL, and CullenCable power cables,.
