![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon/wink.gif)
I guess that what it does depends on whether you believe that "it's all just ones and zeroes" or if you believe that digital signals can actually be influenced within those ones and zeroes. I have heard the difference in sound quality between different USB leads.
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon/surprised.gif)
I bought three Chinese USB A to USB B leads, a pretend "Nordost Valhalla," a pretend "QED," and a pretend "Canare," or as it was described on AliExpress, a "High Quality Dual Magnetic ring A-B USB Cable / Canare L-4E6S Audio-cable for Hifi DAC Amplifier."
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon/lol.gif)
There were quite marked differences, which, considering I don't consider my second system exactly forensically detailed, rather surprised me. I thought a few days of ear-straining was on the cards, but actually the differences were quite apparent. The "Nordost" was the outright winner, by the way. When, however, I dropped in my latest eBay prize, an AudioQuest Carbon, stuff just took a big step forward and left the Chinese cables looking a bit silly. Actually, I probably do have to say that the "Nordost" wasn't a bad cable, and for a tenth of the price of the AQ it can hold its head up. I could definitely have lived with it while waiting for something better to come along. The bottom and middle were good, but the treble was a bit gritty, and I'm now, actually, going to have to press the "Nordost" back into service, to use in front of the reclocker, until I can afford another AQ Carbon.