My bad if you misunderstood me. I'm not trying to put words into anyone's mouth, but just thinking out loud on the possible retort. I've mentioned it before too that I'm very interested to know what is the variable causing the marked differences in audio quality when different USB cables are used in some people's setups. Although personally I haven't had a chance to experience it. Perhaps one day I shall really have to go over to your place and have a listen
Like I mentioned, I'm wondering if differences are caused by the DAC (that has certain requirements that the audiophile USB cables meet while the normal USB cables don't). Is it something that can be replicated on normal USB cables once we know the requirement?
Personally I do own the Cardas Blue. Its relatively cheap and well built, which is why I bought it. I THINK I hear a difference between it and my normal computer USB cable... after listening really long and hard... but my wife doesn't. But then again she wasn't able to tell any audio differences between my Mundorf gold LOD and the Copper LOD I had either. Although she could tell the difference between my Beyer T50p and the Ultrasone Ed8...
My uncle swears by his Axis USB cable, which I've compared with using my Cardas... again I THINK there's a difference but I can't be sure. Although my uncle next to me would excitedly point out the qualities of the Axis when in use... the better defined bass, the increased soundstage etc... All of which isn't logically possible to me.
I've also failed to hear any difference between the $15 iPod USB LOD and the $100+ one sold for the CLAS... which prompted me to go back and compare my USB cables actually, and started me on this quest.
I've read the descriptions of a few more popular USB cables, including the Cynosure. Alot of emphasis is made on the material used, the damping, the shielding, the isolation of the Data line from the VDC line... I suspect that perhaps the isolation part makes some sense... but i'm not EEE grad.
What exactly makes audiophile USB cables different from normal computer USB cables? I'll be upfront and say that I don't believe in difference in material making a difference over such a short distance. How they shield and isolate the cables might cause some difference though (I've heard jitter mentioned a couple of times in this discussion for example). Is that the only difference that causes the huge disparity in price?
Is it too much to know what I'm paying for? I appreciate people like Van who are trying to provide data to aid this enquiry. However its pointless to be shouting over and over that there is a difference when I've tried to hear a difference and failed to. Maybe 18 year olds have got better ears? Oh and Hennyo (I've to highlight you since you really do get on my nerves), don't assume and put words in other's mouth too. I for one HAVE compared relatively well built and reasonably priced USB cables against pricier but not crazy pricier USB cables.
Btw, can those who hear a difference articulate the differences? Not a trick question, but I really want to now what to look out for when I do my own comparison.
Sorry for the long post