Best Non-Audiophile Cables

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by rhythmdevils, Oct 22, 2021.

  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    After seeing @atomicbob ’s frightening measurements of various USB cables, I decided I wanted to use decent cables even for data transfer. I did a lot of research on Amazon to find a cable that was shielded properly and of good quality.

    [​IMG]

    I found a company called Cable Matters. All of their usb cables are double shielded with a foil shield and a braided shield and use copper conductors, and gold plated usb connectors. All of their data cables are double shielded (confirmed by an email with them). Their cables are also very affordable.

    [​IMG]

    Their power cables use 16 AWG copper conductors and individual wire insulation.

    [​IMG]

    I have replaced all my data cables with Cable Matters cables and use their power cables when I don’t use Pangea power cables. They make good extension cables too.

    USB A to A cable

    USB A to B cable

    Various USB cables

    Thunderbolt cable

    Power Cable

    Extension power cable

    I thought I would share this in light of @atomicbob ’s findings.

    If there are other companies that make equal or better affordable data and power cables please post!
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2021
  2. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    @atomicbob if I sent you some of these cables would you be up for measuring them? A USB A, USB C, Thunderbolt. Etc. it would be very cool to have a brand we all know measures well and is cheap to use for everyday stuff.
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Great idea for a thread, thank you for the recommendation!
     
  4. shambles

    shambles Facebook Friend

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    @rhythmdevils thanks for the recommendation. Expensive cables make little sense with my setup and I had previously been using Anker Powerline cables as a choice for cheap but seemingly not too crappy USB cables. They do make some claims regarding shielding etc. but nothing as specific/detailed as Cable Matters do and honestly I bought them mainly because I've been happy with other Anker stuff I've bought.

    Anyway, I ordered a pair of Cable Matters USB cables for my Modius (power + data). Not expecting any noticeable change, but the thing that swung it for me is that they sell a proper USB C to micro USB cable so I can get rid of the stupid USB C to USB A adaptor that I currently have hanging off the side of my laptop all the time.

    Now if only someone would sell me some teeny tiny cable risers to keep them off my desk and stop the vibration from my typing inferring with ascension to audiophile bliss...
     
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  5. Beefy

    Beefy Friend

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    Great idea for a thread.

    If anyone finds a nice and decently priced USB 2.0A to USB 2.0B in the 12-18 inch range, please let me know. I use them internally in my DIY DACs with the Neutrik USB chassis jacks.

    I currently have Monoprice in there because it was the only option I could find at these short lengths. And while I don't believe a better digital cable will improve sound quality or make me better at pleasing my woman, something higher quality would still be nice.
     
  6. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Is that just for ease of swapping modules? Otherwise you could just chop up and hardwire directly rather than have extra connection points...?
     
  7. Beefy

    Beefy Friend

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    In a way. The passthrough in the casing is for aesthetics, not wanting to desolder the USB connector on the USB board and hack the cable is laziness, and not wanting to solder a cable directly to the USB board is a matter of far easier servicing.

    Not that servicing is a big deal I guess, since this arrangement worked fine in my TPA DAC for almost 12 years without touching it. Not that the extra connection point is a big deal either, because 12 years. So yeah, a better cable just because, but short USB 2.0B cables seem very rare.
     
  8. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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    If $9 each counts as "decently priced", these AMP cables are in stock at Digikey:

    There are other 12- to 18-inch cables at Digikey for around half that price, but I couldn't immediately ascertain whether they were USB-IF certified.
    You're right; Monoprice's cables (like those made by AMP/TE, Belkin, Cable Matters, Cables To Go, etc.) are USB-IF certified, so switching to another certified cable won't make any electrical difference. But it's always nice to have options.
     
  9. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I only have USB A and USB B connector breakout PCBs for measurements. And remember this is only a test of shield termination quality. To test data would require a decent GHz generator and oscilloscope combination which I don't possess. I might obtain some cable matters and tripp lite USB 2 A to B cables as I need a few more in the lab. I was going to acquire some more AudioQuest Forest but my oh my have they increased in price.
     
  10. Beefy

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  11. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    According to an older usb 2.0 cable survey the biggest problem with USB cables is construction. In that survey more than half failed to meet spec.

    I suppose the hard part is finding a vendor that has passed the initial certification ( I think they self certify) and has the chops to keep the cables consistent.

    I always like the results of the shorter cables in my systems. On the not crazy money front, a sleeper cable that I use for my dacs is Neo by Oyaide Elec D + USB Class A . It beat out a really short Wireworld at 3X the cost and a few super diy cables.
     
  12. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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  13. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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  14. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    These both are audiophile cables to me, for 50-60$ (or much more for a longer cable) compared to the 6$ Cable Matters USB A to B. Are you really going to buy that to plug your computer into your hard drive?

    Might as well get a Pangea USB cable if you're considering those.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2021
  16. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    To me this is about connector quality. Pangea is good, too, IME. You're just overpaying for AA marketing with Pangea. Seriously, pictures of some asshat in a labcoat to sell me some cables? Right.

    [​IMG]

    I can't even count how many $6 non-audiophile USB cables have caused me to go trouble shooting dropouts when it's the cable being plugged/unplugged a bunch of times, or getting pinched behind my desk and shorting to ground that makes me suspect it's a problem with my DAC, when it's not. Spend $60, never have an issue with connectors or bending flexing/pinching? Worth it in my opinion without even wading into the sound (which is nothing I can complain about).
     
  17. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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    Who makes these $6 cables?
     
  18. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Shit like Anker cables. Not bad for plugging in stuff once and leaving it be, but any kind of daily use of plug/unplug they stop working after a year or so.
     
  19. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    George here looks like he's trying not to laugh at a fart.
    Ot this video from LTT might be of interest:
     
  20. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I don't think I want to lay out $60 because I'd spend that over ten years on $6 cables. This sum doesn't quite make sense. But there is probably a balance point a little higher up the price scale.

    I'm a bit confused about USB mechanics. Is it the plug that grips or the socket?

    I think that for USB-2 micro. it is the socket. My Sony camera socket, is getting horribly floppy, which is crap for a thousand-$ device!

    USB-C is supposed to be an improvement, but I'm not keen. I think it is the plug that grips, and these I find don't last. Also they are less crush-resistant. That one can plug them while drunk on a dark, foggy night is an advantage, but not a big one for me: I can plug my micro-USBs in the dark, on devices I know. Feel tells me which way the plug is.

    But maybe I should spend more on my USB-Cs? I don't actually know how much I spend, so it can't be very much. I know I have some Amazon-Basics!

    Yep. It's a bit sinergistic*! It ranks with people in lab coats selling shampoo and toothpaste.



    *names have been changed to protect the guilty.
     

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