USB cable group test

[hifikrazy]

A group test of 10 USB cables in the July issue of Hi-Fi News & Record Review.

Some extracts:

This time last year, HFN ran a ground-breaking group test revealing audible and measurable differences between USB cables.

With the experience of last year’s USB cable group test already under our collective hat, we began 2014’s digital voyage with a degree of expectation. And we were not disappointed, for the differences between this crop of proprietary USB cables were no less audible.

They have included graphs for each cable plotting Vpk on the Y-Axis and nsec on the X-Axis and those graphs do indicate clear differences. I have no scientific knowledge to understand what those graphs show, but it seems to indicate that there are measurable differences, contrary to the foo fighters claims on this forum.

 

[TrevC]

A group test of 10 USB cables in the July issue of Hi-Fi News & Record Review.

Some extracts:

This time last year, HFN ran a ground-breaking group test revealing audible and measurable differences between USB cables.

With the experience of last year’s USB cable group test already under our collective hat, we began 2014’s digital voyage with a degree of expectation. And we were not disappointed, for the differences between this crop of proprietary USB cables were no less audible.

They have included graphs for each cable plotting Vpk on the Y-Axis and nsec on the X-Axis and those graphs do indicate clear differences. I have no scientific knowledge to understand what those graphs show, but it seems to indicate that there are measurable differences, contrary to the foo fighters claims on this forum.

Hifi news is full of fantasists. I wouldn't pay them and their nonsense any mind.

 

[hifikrazy]

So how about those measurements? I thought that all USB cables are supposed to measure exactly the same?

 

[TrevC]

So how about those measurements? I thought that all USB cables are supposed to measure exactly the same?

I've no intention of buying that mag, so perhaps you could list precisely what it is that they have measured.

 

[hifikrazy]

They provided graphs plotting Vpk against nsec, whatever that means

 

[hifikrazy]

Like this

 

[expat_mike]

The tests are also generating debate here

[ESITED BY MODS - house rule 15]

and

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/show … p?t=139754

It looks like the banned "C word" has returned. :rofl:

 

[expat_mike]

Like this

Are you able to publish the graphs showing the comparison between the waveforms for a cheap and an expensive cable?

 

[chebby]

They provided graphs plotting Vpk against nsec, whatever that means

http://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/sinewave-voltage-conversion.htm

An 'nsec' is a nanosecond or one billionth of a second.

 

[bigboss]

They provided graphs plotting Vpk against nsec, whatever that means

http://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/sinewave-voltage-conversion.htm

An 'nsec' is a nanosecond or one billionth of a second.

:rofl:

So human hearing should distinguish differences in 1 billionth of a second to notice a perceptible difference!!

As one member on Pink Fish puts it: That would be like assuming my photos would transfer off my camera looking more bright and vibrant with a better cable. Which is absolute nonsense. The file either gets to the other end or it doesn't. There aren't shades grey with this kind of technology.

 

[chebby]

That would be like assuming my photos would transfer off my camera looking more bright and vibrant with a better cable. Which is absolute nonsense. The file either gets to the other end or it doesn't. There aren't shades grey with this kind of technology.

So what should I use for printing my black & white photos?

 

[Alec]

"Now I wanna be your dog".

 

[DocG]

Ooh, I'm thrilled! I've got a hunch that by the end of this thread, we will finally know the truth about cables!

:bounce: :dance: :cheer: :cheers:

 

[Al ears]

A group test of 10 USB cables in the July issue of Hi-Fi News & Record Review.

Some extracts:

This time last year, HFN ran a ground-breaking group test revealing audible and measurable differences between USB cables.

With the experience of last year’s USB cable group test already under our collective hat, we began 2014’s digital voyage with a degree of expectation. And we were not disappointed, for the differences between this crop of proprietary USB cables were no less audible.

They have included graphs for each cable plotting Vpk on the Y-Axis and nsec on the X-Axis and those graphs do indicate clear differences. I have no scientific knowledge to understand what those graphs show, but it seems to indicate that there are measurable differences, contrary to the foo fighters claims on this forum.

So come on, come on and tell us who won.....

...nah don't bother I've read it. :O

 

[Al ears]

Ooh, I'm thrilled! I've got a hunch that by the end of this thread, we will finally know the truth about cables!

:bounce: :dance: :cheer: :cheers:

I succinctly hope not ........ the forum would be distinctly short on posts if we did.

 

[Covenanter]

This is just typical nonsense that shows a complete misunderstanding of how digital signals are used!

I'm sure there are differences in the peak voltages between cables, in fact I'd be amazed if there weren't. However with digital signals all that is being transmitted are 1's and 0's and a 1 that is slightly bigger or smaller than another 1 is still a 1. This is why digital signals are very resistent to interference. Of course if the cable is so rubbish that is converts 0's to 1's or vice versa then there will be a real signal difference. If not there won't be and indeed there can't be.

Chris

 

[bigboss]

That would be like assuming my photos would transfer off my camera looking more bright and vibrant with a better cable. Which is absolute nonsense. The file either gets to the other end or it doesn't. There aren't shades grey with this kind of technology.

So what should I use for printing my black & white photos?

 

[pyrrhon]

Memory is a 2 state thing represented with 0 and 1.

Data does not pass from Point A to B, its only the state that is set at point B so no matter how many times you do the copy, it does not affect anything. Bits dont get inverted ! There is the parity bit check and many other proven ways to insure data integrity. The usb cable or wifi or ethernet cable are just ways to copy 2 states data from A to B. That why its been told 10 000 times that usb, optical, coax, hdmi cables make no difference.

The dac reads a serie of 0101010110 into its own 2-state memory buffer.

 

[spiny norman]

Hifi news is full of fantasists. I wouldn't pay them and their nonsense any mind.

[/quote]

I've no intention of buying that mag, so perhaps you could list precisely what it is that they have measured.

I wouldn't pay it any attention, not that I've read it, and I won't buy it so please tell me what it said. ;-)

 

[ReValveiT]

Here's a more practical test for HiFi News:

1) Take any standard £10 USB CD drive.

2) Use it to rip a track several times with your various 'wonder' USB cables, and the cheapest USB cable you can find.

3) Compare each file using a 'null' test.

4) Realise they are absolutely, completely, and mathamatically identical and you've wasted a few hours of your life comparing USB cables.

5) Think about what a fool you've been and make a promise to yourself that you'll stop spreading nonsense all over the internet.

 

[TrevC]

Here's a more practical test for HiFi News:

1) Take any standard £10 USB CD drive.

2) Use it to rip a track several times with your various 'wonder' USB cables, and the cheapest USB cable you can find.

3) Compare each file using a 'null' test.

4) Realise they are absolutely, completely, and mathamatically identical and you've wasted a few hours of your life comparing USB cables.

5) Think about what a fool you've been and make a promise to yourself that you'll stop spreading nonsense all over the internet.

:cheers:

 

[spiny norman]

And BTW don't the threads linked to above re discussion of this piece actually refer to the test HFN did of USB cables last year?

 

[TrevC]

.

 

[TrevC]

Hifi news is full of fantasists. I wouldn't pay them and their nonsense any mind.

I've no intention of buying that mag, so perhaps you could list precisely what it is that they have measured.

I wouldn't pay it any attention, not that I've read it, and I won't buy it so please tell me what it said. ;-)

[/quote]

Me neither!!

 

[fr0g]

This is just typical nonsense that shows a complete misunderstanding of how digital signals are used!

I'm sure there are differences in the peak voltages between cables, in fact I'd be amazed if there weren't. However with digital signals all that is being transmitted are 1's and 0's and a 1 that is slightly bigger or smaller than another 1 is still a 1. This is why digital signals are very resistent to interference. Of course if the cable is so rubbish that is converts 0's to 1's or vice versa then there will be a real signal difference. If not there won't be and indeed there can't be.

Chris

Exactly!

This is a bit like saying that the cherry veneer on one speaker is lighter than on another, thus there is a possible difference to the sound.

Utter nonsense.