To my ears USB cables do make a difference.

[Jasonovich]

Until today, I was using the Supra USB cable, to my ears no other USB cable came close in it's price range or above. Today, my Chord Shawline digital was received in the post and I quickly got down to business, listening to my favourite tracks, oh wow, oh my giddy aunt, it is good, very good, more ambience, more texture, I absolutely love it. I was in fear after spending almost four times the price of the Supra, I would be disappointed but this was held on a false premises, it is so good, The King is Dead, Long Live the King. My trusty Swedish friend, I hope you find a wonderful new owner on eBay.

 

[npxavar]

 

[NSO]

Pleased for you. If you hear a difference then good. I swapped out a budget spdif cable to a Chord spdif cable and it made no difference at all. I didn't expect it to make a difference, digital. I am happy because I have a quality made cable and it is doing the job it is supposed to.

 

[Jasonovich]

If you are happy with your purchase then that's all that matters.

Can i ask what kit you are using this cable with ?

You're absolutely correct, what matters most, is being happy with the purchase.

I use the USB A output of my JF MX-Pro digital transport and this feeds into the Eversolo DAC-Z8 USB B input. I prefer this option to the PC (software XMOS drivers - JRiver software), I get a cleaner sound but also the JF allows me to play DSD512 natively, I only get DSD256 on the PC via PCM DOP conversion (XMOS).
The versatility of the Eversolo allows two USB input connections via the B and C USB.

 

[Jasonovich]

Pleased for you. If you hear a difference then good. I swapped out a budget spdif cable to a Chord spdif cable and it made no difference at all. I didn't expect it to make a difference, digital. I am happy because I have a quality made cable and it is doing the job it is supposed to.

Yes agree, the quality of the cable should be factored in also, the Chord is made to a very high standard. Really stiff cable but just enough to steer it in the right direction.

 

[Gray]

I swapped out a budget spdif cable to a Chord spdif cable and it made no difference at all. I didn't expect it to make a difference,

I've underlined where you went wrong
(You had no chance).

 

[nopiano]

I've underlined where you went wrong
(You had no chance).

Yes, he didn’t expect it to make a difference but happily spent four times as much! Maybe it’s just a lot longer?

 

[Gray]

Yes, he didn’t expect it to make a difference but happily spend four times as much! Maybe it’s just a lot longer?

...maybe it looks nicer 🤔

 

[plastic penguin]

(Drums fingers on chin)

 

[podknocker]

I would love to know how an expensive cable can change how a one or a zero sounds, as it heads towards a DAC.

 

[Al ears]

I would love to know how an expensive cable can change how a one or a zero sounds, as it heads towards a DAC.

really?
If the OP can hear a difference that's all that matters surely?
You can doubt all you like but it's irrelevant.

 

[Friesiansam]

really?
If the OP can hear a difference that's all that matters surely?
You can doubt all you like but it's irrelevant.

Certainly, if the OP's happy thats fine but, I share Podknocker's scepticism.

 

[Al ears]

Certainly, if the OP's happy thats fine but, I share Podknocker's scepticism.

I can perhaps understand why but as I said it's irrelevant in this case.
The clue is in the title... "To my ears.."

 

[Gray]

I can perhaps understand why but as I said it's irrelevant in this case.
The clue is in the title... "To my ears.."

I'd (respectfully) swap 'brain' for 'ears'.
It's the brain that interprets the information that it receives from the senses.

But the brain can be influenced by preconception.

The preconception in post #3 meant that that no difference was perceived.
Whereas in the OP #1, I suspect the opposite was (almost certainly) the case.

 

[Al ears]

I'd (respectfully) swap 'brain' for 'ears'.
It's the brain that interprets the information that it receives from the senses.

But the brain can be influenced by preconception.

The preconception in post #3 meant that that no difference was perceived.
Whereas in the OP #1, I suspect the opposite was (almost certainly) the case.

Perceived or otherwise if the OP has decided there is an improvement then who are we to say otherwise.

 

[Gray]

Perceived or otherwise if the OP has decided there is an improvement then who are we to say otherwise.

Indeed he perceived a significant improvement - of that there is no doubt 👍

 

[NSO]

Oh I see. So if I wish it will make a difference, believe with all my mind then it would have made a difference. I am off to give it a try 🤣

I've underlined where you went wrong
(You had no chance).

 

[twinkletoes]

I would love to know how an expensive cable can change how a one or a zero sounds, as it heads towards a DAC.

You know a usb cable actually carries no sound or information of any kind right? So no one’s and zeros

 

[NSO]

You know a usb cable actually carries no sound or information of any kind right? So no one’s and zeros

Well the information is contained within a squarewave to replicate the 1s and 0s. Any short piece of cable unless it is faulty with high resistance will carry the same signal with the same end result. It can't make the 1s and 0s any more enhanced, or is there super 1s and 0s? My spdif cable is 0.5m long. Do a loop impedance test on any run of cable that short and you will see the same reading (unless of course it is faulty or poor quality copper etc...)

 

[twinkletoes]

This thread is utterly pointless.

Well the information is contained within a squarewave to replicate the 1s and 0s. Any short piece of cable unless it is faulty with high resistance will carry the same signal with the same end result. It can't make the 1s and 0s any more enhanced, or is there super 1s and 0s? My spdif cable is 0.5m long. Do a loop impedance test on any run of cable that short and you will see the same reading (unless of course it is faulty or poor quality copper etc...)

Well the information is contained within a squarewave

NO information is carried full stop. I said nothing of enhancing 1 and 0's.

 

[Jasonovich]

I would love to know how an expensive cable can change how a one or a zero sounds, as it heads towards a DAC.

You really should listen to Passion for Sound, Lachlan single handedly dispels the digital 01110111 myth (scientifically).

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zncAhs44sp8&pp=ygURcGFzc2lvbiBmb3Igc291bmQ%3D

 

[12th Monkey]

If there is no information carried, I would have though the DAC receiving it would have nothing to work with.

 

[NSO]

This thread is utterly pointless.



NO information is carried full stop. I said nothing of enhancing 1 and 0's.

Did I say you said anything about 1s and 0s, No. If there is no information travelling along the cable, ie.. No squarewave transfer then we would have no sound. This is pointless I agree so let's leave it there.

 

[Jasonovich]

I can perhaps understand why but as I said it's irrelevant in this case.
The clue is in the title... "To my ears.."

Well observed! I said "To my Ears", I phased it so that it is open, so we can have a sensible debate
I am convinced USB cables make a difference, because even digital transmission relies on voltage and this can impact on the sound.

 

[Friesiansam]

If there is no information carried, I would have though the DAC receiving it would have nothing to work with.

Exactly!