[cryoparts]

I like the "peace" smiley dude.

Yeah, we should probably get Vinny to move it, if it bothers him.  I'm not going to start a new thread pimping my own products!

Lee

And how does it sound with RWA Isabellina ?????
  but is a  .

Mariusz

Indeed.  But I talked with Vinny about posting the info and he was cool. 

Vinny--move the thread if it bothers you, please.

Lee

Vinnie's "O" and his rules but I still find it .
It might be better idea to start fresh thread and have more participants and voices about the USB cables, differences and such.
I will be glad to read that thread but here ....... I am lost and do not really know what is it about.
RWA DAC and cables for it ? or
USB cables and components for it?

Please, no offense Lee but I hope you see my point.

P.S

I have one for you:



Mariusz

[Mariusz]

I knew you gone like it.



Mariusz

[Afterimage]

I never really gave the USB cable much of a thought.  I mean, I thought nothing happens with the signal until it reaches the DAC.  So this can impact the sound?  Seriously?  I guess I don't get it.  My cable is at least 12 ft so I can sit in my listening chair and do stuff on the computer, but you guys are saying length effect SQ of USBs too?

[Mariusz]

  I am with you on that one but my USB cable was never longer then 6'.

Finally some "Q" that got my attention 

(I am not a cable geek by any means but if it helps in any meaningful/audible/positive  way - why not!)

Cheers
Mariusz

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Guys,

This is a good thread, and I do appreciate RWA Isabellina dac customers posting their experiences with using aftermarket USB cables!

As long as this thread sticks to being about USB cables used with your Isabellina dac, I think it is a good thread that can benefit our customers (Just like the Isabella tube rolling threads).  I know Lee came here to respond to RWA Isabellina customers positive feedback of his cables.  I know he is not trying to threadjack or promote his products here.

However, I do agree with Mariusz that getting into firewire, and RJ45 vs. USB  is a bit off topic here.  A new thread in a different circle can be made to discuss these topics (but I still want to welcome acidmikeam to audiocircle and the RWA forum ). 

Thanks, everyone!

Vinnie

[cryoparts]

I know Lee came here to respond to RWA Isabellina customers positive feedback of his cables.  I know he is not trying to threadjack or promote his products here.

 

Lee

[satfrat]

I never really gave the USB cable much of a thought.  I mean, I thought nothing happens with the signal until it reaches the DAC.  So this can impact the sound?  Seriously?  I guess I don't get it.  My cable is at least 12 ft so I can sit in my listening chair and do stuff on the computer, but you guys are saying length effect SQ of USBs too?

I think it's like anything audio, you may not understand it but once you've heard the fidelity improvements from higher end USB cables, you'll understand that.

I am with you on that one but my USB cable was never longer then 6'.

Finally some "Q" that got my attention 

(I am not a cable geek by any means but if it helps in any meaningful/audible/positive  way - why not!)

Cheers
Mariusz

Just to keep this on topic for Vinnie and to shut you up Mariusz (just kidding cuz it can't be done ), if you're going to Emil's barbecue next saturday, bring along your Isabellina and whatever you have for a USB cable. I'll bring Lee's Nucleus usb cable and you can hear for yourself what this thread is all about. That is if I can get the Lizard_King to bring his portable  laptop/hard drive music source so we'll have something to hook into. aa PM me Mariusz if you're interested or if you're even going to be going.

Cheers,
Robin

[Fork]

After connecting the ground wire on the Entreq USB cable I found that the DAC in my Isabella was regularly malfunctioning.  Vinnie warned me that using the ground wire could cause permanent damage to the DAC chip.  Anyway, I found there wasn't much improvement in the sound.  The Gateway FX laptop I'm using has been pretty good with noise; no noise issues with keeping the AC cord or HDMI connected.

I've just started listening to the Entreq cable, so I'll have to report back later on the sound.  The construction quality seems good and I wasn't keen on spending $700 or more on a cable.  Spending half that sounded like the way to go (maximum length is 3M).  I don't know how it sounds compared to the others, but I like that this guy had the balls to put his cable through a 6 Moons review.

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Fork,

Just to confirm, was it the "shield" wire that you tried connecting to some other ground point?  What did you connect it to?

USB cables have 4 wires: +5V, GND, D+, D-, and some also have an outer "shield" which usually connects at the host (computer) end to computer ground. 

Connecting this to something else could lead to problems and I don't recommend it.

Thanks for letting us know about your experience,

Vinnie

[jallis]

all this talk of usb cables made wonder about the actual receptical(spelling check please),jack or the part that you plug the usb cable ends into. if you are spending lots of dollars on really nice quality usb cables. then what is the quality of those receptical/jacks in our computers, ext. hardrives, and even my upcoming isabellina hpa?
forgive the dumb questions. it is a 'what comes around goes around kinda question'
joe

[Fork]

Regarding my recent post on the Entreq ground wire.  After an email to Entreq and Vinny, I believe the concern about the wire causing damage to the DAC should not be a concern.  The quality of the ground is a factor though, as in my case, where interference from other devices on the system can get in the way of its effectiveness or cause the DAC to freeze.  I don't have many other ground sources so I will go without connecting it.  Waiting to burn in some brand new speaker cables before doing listening tests.  I might try the Ridge Street Poiema as well.

[mattyturner]

all this talk of usb cables made wonder about the actual receptical(spelling check please),jack or the part that you plug the usb cable ends into.

I've thought about this as well, even on the USB cables itself the connector is the same old cheap USB connector you see everywhere with very thin contacts.

I think that USB cables make a difference (I bought a polecat) but it's a shame the ports can't be improved too.

But even then... what path does it take from the USB controller chip to the USB port inside the computer? I assume a lot depends on the motherboard and how the traces run.

[Fork]

I finally did some listening comparisons between my Entreq USB and my Kimber Cable, with the Isabella.  I decided to keep the Entreq and sold the Kimber.  In comparison, the Kimber is more sharp and digital sounding, while the Entreq has more air and harmonic energy.

I will qualify this comparison by saying that many of you may not find a USB upgrade to be the most satisfying purchase.  I would probably not have been able to tell the difference, in my system 6 months ago, before I addressed several other components.  I doubt you will hear a big difference unless you have highly resolving equipment that is dialed in really well.  Other areas that I believe can make a bigger difference (not necessarily on a per $ basis) than USB and should be addressed first include: speaker position, room treatment, speakers, amp & Preamp, tubes, interconnects and speaker cables.

I didn't try the Ridge Street...just didn't feel like another burn-in and trial period, so I don't know how it or the Locus cables compare.  However, the Entreq was priced right and the designer is obviously very sharp, so it feels and sounds like a good value.  Somebody needs to do a shoot-out.

[Afterimage]

what about the length aspect?  Above you guys were telling me a shorter length is important for sound quality.  So are you telling me that you drop your computers on the floor or close to your system and then walk back to your listening chair?  So what if you want to change albums every couple of songs?  Do you want to do stuff on the computer while you are listening?   Is it possible to get a high quality cable that is 12 ft long or so?

[Vinnie R.]

what about the length aspect?  Above you guys were telling me a shorter length is important for sound quality.  So are you telling me that you drop your computers on the floor or close to your system and then walk back to your listening chair?  So what if you want to change albums every couple of songs?  Do you want to do stuff on the computer while you are listening?   Is it possible to get a high quality cable that is 12 ft long or so?

I didn't find running the stock 15-ft USB cable to sound inferior to using a 6-ft USB cable.  For me to be able to have my Macbook next to me on my listening chair and connected to my Isabella's dac, I need the 15-ft cable.  Sounds great to me! 

[Mariusz]

what about the length aspect?  Above you guys were telling me a shorter length is important for sound quality.  So are you telling me that you drop your computers on the floor or close to your system and then walk back to your listening chair?  So what if you want to change albums every couple of songs?  Do you want to do stuff on the computer while you are listening?   Is it possible to get a high quality cable that is 12 ft long or so?

.
There is a easy solution for your problem.
All you need is iTouch ($175 total at Buy.com) + Remote app. (free) from Apple website here.
I also have Apple remote control for Front Row but personally prefer the iTouch solution.

Mariusz

[tailspinrex]

 Afterimage--My Mac Mini and DAC is on my equipment rack with a 1 meter USB cable.  I have a 25 foot video monitor cable running from the Mac Mini to my video monitor next to my listening chair along with a bluetooth wireless mouse and bluetooth wireless keyboard in my lap.  The 25 foot video monitor cable was a off-the-shelf cable for $25.

[Fork]

Most of the people I've heard strongly condemn long USB were makers of DACs with high-res capability; they say 3M maximum and shorter is better.  The cable makers generally describe a very minor loss of information above 3M.  The Isabella only does 16/44.1 and I didn't notice much problem with a 4M cable (my system was less resolving back then).  If you're really concerned about it, you should audition a short cable and a long cable, but I wouldn't assume that 4M is a big deal, on the Isabella.