USB cable shoot-out

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slinger
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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by slinger »

Fretless wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:16 am I can recommend DH Labs Mirage USB .... :grin:
Not at those prices, mate. :lol: Way out of my league, sadly. The only reason I (thought I'd) spent as much as I did was because it was a logical step up from Starlight 7s to Silver Starlight 7s and a safe bet.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by slinger »

Just to rub salt into the wound, due to the fluctuation in exchange rates the experience has cost me £8.14 to buy zero cables.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by Fretless »

Now that's painfull.

Sorry Slinger. I can get a bit over-enthusiastic when I see a (possible) bargain.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by slinger »

If it had worked out I'd have been extremely happy. I should have given in earlier is what I should have done. :roll:
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by CN211276 »

The Mirage cable arrived in just under two weeks. DH Labs advised that there would be a delay because of the volume of order and staff shortages. Their complement of sixteen had been reduced to four because of the pandemic. Immediately impressed by the appearance of the cable, it is very substantial, but what matters is how it sounds. Connected it from the microRendu to the Mscaler with the Jitterbug and i Purifier 3 at each end and was not disappointed. I think Fretless has described what it does very well. AQ Carbon is a very good cable but the Mirage certainy adds a degree of smoothness and integration. :grin: These comments do not take into account benefits which might result from run in.

So impressed was I that I placed an order for a pair of BNC cables as I think benfits are to be had if it is DH Labs all the way from streamer to DAC, in the same way as NVA throughout from DAC to speakers. I was encouraged by a detailed favourable report from a Mscaler user on HeadFi. I found that it is no longer possible to order from the DH Labs website outside of North America. I contacted the company and was sent a Paypal invoice. Delivery is scheduled for Tuesday. :grin: My concern is that it is Fedex, after the long running dispute I had with them last year. I am paying $20 for delivery and don't want to be stung for more.
These users thanked the author CN211276 for the post (total 2):
Fretless (Sat Aug 22, 2020 1:01 pm) • slinger (Sat Aug 22, 2020 1:37 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by Fretless »

Finally my music room has cooled down after the heatwave and I can get to enjoy some serious sounds again.

First thing I notice is that, after 3 weeks in the system, the DH Labs Mirage seems to have settled in and opened up. There is an effortless, organic flow to the music and a pleasing transparency that lets detail and dynamics just fall into place.

Love it.
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CN211276 (Sun Aug 23, 2020 1:57 pm)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by CN211276 »

I am also finding that the Mirage cable is getting better with use. Last month, following the effect the new sofa was having on room acoustics, I found the sound improved when I activated a warm filter on the Qutest. Witb the Mirage in place this is no longer the case and I put this down to the smoothness of the new cable. The DH Labs BNC cables arrived but due to a misunderstanding they had the wrong connections. They have been sent back and the correct cables are on there way from Florida. The plus is that I have more time to assess the USB cable on its own before it is DH Labs Silver sonic all the way from streamer to DAC.
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Fretless (Thu Aug 27, 2020 12:27 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by Fretless »

Image

A recent question here on HFS about the Oehlbach reclocking device showed that I am not the only one wondering whether the input USB link from PC to Masterclock is as important as the cable then running on to the DAC. As long as the reclocker gets a clean data signal, then the refreshed and resynchronised datastream it produces is far more essential - and that will need a higher-quality wire to get the bits to the DAC with the minimum of jitter distortion, right?

Er, yes. Maybe.

Little trial runs did show me that changing the PC => clock cable does have a noticeable effect on overall SQ. Not as much as the second run to the DAC, but there is a difference. Pondering on 'Rubbish in, Rubbish out' and the fact that Partsconnexion in Canada still had the DH Labs Mirage USB 1.0m at 40% discount, I ordered another one to see if it would make any difference. Their delivery service - even via standard post - is blindingly fast and the cable has arrived within a week.

Image

This really is a very chic-looking link, despite the fact that it comes in ultra-simple packaging. No extra, unnecessary frills from DH Labs. So straightaway a quick listen to the main system with the 'ordinary' DH Labs Silver Sonic as input to the Oehlbach Masterclock and then a switch over to the new Mirage USB.

Then I had that Fred Flintstone moment - the difference was tremendous and unexpected. Another of those 'Who switched my rig for something 5x more expensive?' revelations. Where has that incredibly deep and precise bass come from? I didn't know my Cubes could do that! Wider soundstage. Window-opened clarity. Wow! Wow! Wow!

And I know DH Labs cables get better with run-in. Ha!

So to answer the initial question - Yes, fit the Masterclock with the best cables you can find - input and output. Then sit back and enjoy the music.
I know I will. :music-listening:
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CN211276 (Sat Sep 19, 2020 8:33 am)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by CN211276 »

I am not surprised by your findings, much the same as mine with very noticable bass extension. DH Labs digital cables are something special. The difference with me is that BNC cables connect to the DAC. Also from my experience with TIS in the analogue chain I firmly believe that sync is very important and the addition of the second cable of similary high spec brings about a greater improvement than the inclusion of the first one.
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Fretless (Sat Sep 19, 2020 8:40 am)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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Re: USB cable shoot-out

Unread post by Fretless »

The new Mirage cable in the main system has meant that I can upgrade cables in other, small installations around the place. Part of my fun as a hobbyist is to set up little, low-cost rigs in different rooms and then I can see if changing a source / amp / cable / thingy makes an improvement - or not.

So here are USB cables to be switched. The bedroom installation with Tinkerboard and Oehlbach Masterclock gets a second DH Labs Silver Sonic in place of AQ Carbon. Soundwise it feels smoother and more relaxed than the Carbon - which in that system is actually ideal. Nice rounded detail and a palpable depth to the soundfield of the aged Cube3's there.

The AQ Carbon USB is now sitting attached to the laptop in my Corona-workplace setup, feeding the Topping D30. The previous cable here was the Inakustik Excellence and - even through a set of Creative Gigaworks T40 active speakers - you really hear the impact of a higher-grade link. Much more solidity to the soundfield with a richer, fuller feel and better image definition.

Changing things around like this also keeps the various installations fresh and interesting, letting me tune in on what specific components do in altered situations.

Hi-fi Nutter? Yes .... and proud of it, :banana-rock:
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CN211276 (Sun Sep 20, 2020 9:11 am)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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