Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
AUDIO FORUMS >> Digital >> USB Cable Recommendations
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1586560898

Message started by Tal on 04/11/20 at 00:21:38

Title: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by Tal on 04/11/20 at 00:21:38

I recently received a new Denafrips Pontus DAC. Currently the DAC is connect to a LR PC via a WireWorld Ultraviolet 8 usb cable which connects to the DAC. When streaming from Tidal, the sound will cut off for a second. This will occur multiple times during an hour listening session. Otherwise the sound is beautiful. I used the same set up with my Schiit Bifrost DAC with no issues. The Pontus uses R2R architecture, which very is different than the Schiit. I downloaded the latest USB driver from Denafrips with no improvement. I'm not sure, but maybe the Pontus is testing the limits of my current cable?
With that said, I wanted to reach out for recommendations on USB cables options that you may have had good results with. I would be willing to spend up to $250, which is a big leap (for me) for a usb cable.
Thanks in advance

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by ArtMan on 04/11/20 at 01:33:25

I was using an older laptop and was connecting to a Schiit Modi Multibit DAC and had the same type of experience. It took a while but I finally noticed that the browser, when reloading advertisements, was causing the interruptions. It had nothing to do with the USB cable. I bought a new laptop and that problem has completely disappeared.

Since then, I also upgraded to the Denafrips Pontus from my Schiit and had no problems using a normal USB cable. Your problem has nothing to do with the Pontus.

Now the bad news. After reading many reviews, I bought a silver based USB cable, the Curious USB cable, and it has seriously elevated the performance of the Pontus in my system. I paid around $400. I bit my lip when paying for it but have absolutely no regrets now. It makes that much of a difference for the better.

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by Tal on 04/13/20 at 20:29:38

Art

your diagnosis was spot on. Pontus plays beautifully when playing directly from my hard drive. I suppose my internet speed has slowed now that everyone is at home all day streaming Netflix, etc. Thank you COVID-19! ;)

Anyway, I listened to Pontus all weekend. Man! this thing is awesome. Significant step up from the Bifrost.

Thanks

Tal

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by ArtMan on 04/13/20 at 22:24:46

Tal,

I'm glad I was able to be of help. There was one thing that initially confused me with the Pontus was the Phase Reverse (Reversal) switch. It has to be ON to be in normal phase. I assumed the opposite until I accidentally hit the switch rather than the OS/NOS switch once. I was initially surprised how much better it sounded until I finally realized I had it in reverse phase before.

The Pontus is a really excellent DAC. I am sure you are likely to enjoy it as much as I have.

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by bikehappy1 on 04/22/20 at 01:13:47

Rather than start a whole new post, what about digital coaxial cables? Am I going to hear a significant difference between Blue Jean and Audioquest Carbon for 4 times the cost?

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by Donnie on 04/25/20 at 17:50:57

I'm waiting with baited breath for my Denafrips Ares II to arrive from Singapore.

I almost upgraded to the Pontus, but my wife is in full construction mode with our house and I didn't want to poke the bear too hard.

My old go to USB cable was a Mapleshade, but I gave it away with my Wyred 4 Sound DAC, now I wish that I'd kept it. I don't see them for sale anymore, so I may be shopping for a new cable soon.

I wonder how hard it would be to build my own???

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by Dominick on 04/25/20 at 22:40:15

Donnie...I started to build my own set of interconnects and it wasn’t that hard. I am guessing that USB is probably more involved due to dealing with jitter.

For me...I bought the bare cable, the connectors, used some pure Cardas silver solder, and some inhalation of nice flux when the soldering began, but it was not hard. And my skills are basic.

I bet you can do it with some research. Give it a try!!

Dominick

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by Tal on 04/26/20 at 15:22:43

Donnie

Been listening to my new Pontus for a few weeks now, and I couldn't be pleased. No regrets! The Pontus was a big step up in both $$ from my Bifrost. But I think it was a well for the extra coin. Everything I've red about the Ares is positive. Hopefully you will have similar results.
Tal

Title: Re: USB Cable Recommendations
Post by Geno on 11/11/20 at 19:42:15

I’m reviving this post to share a recent experience. A few months ago, I started to experience slight skipping when playing my music files from my audio PC to my DAC. It started sporadically, then gradually it progressed to several skips per song. I was convinced that either something was wrong with my PC or with the DAC. I contacted PS Audio for a troubleshooting session. The tech suggested 3 possibilities to start with - Swap out USB cable, reinstall the DAC drivers, reinstall the latest Windom update. Sounded like a reasonable series of steps. I just knew it wasn’t the USB cable. It was a nice aftermarket cable about a year old. I started there, and I’ll be damned if that didn’t fix the problem. Don’t know what happened to the cable, but it went bad. I just have an el cheapo in now, but just ordered a better one. Moral of the story - if you ever saw the film, Sling Blade, start with the simplest things first (it ain’t got no gas in it) and progress from there ;)

Edit: Yes, made sure the (bad) cable was plugged in good on each end. Also examined it closely and did not see a thing wrong with it.