[CB3874]

 
Hello,

 

I feel like I'm about to kick a hornet's nest by asking this. Can someone suggest an USB cable upgrade for my Apogee Duet 2? I'm not concerned about how it sounds because that's subjective and there are a zillion posts here on how various USB cables sound that make your head spin. I'm just looking for something that will help eliminate or minimize noise / electric interference from my home and my iMac. Here's my current setup in order:

 

Outlet > Ebtech Hum X Exterminator  > Monster Power Pro 1000 > 27” 2010 iMac > Apogee Duet 2 > KRK Rokit 5 (2^nd Gen) / Shure SRH 440

 

I’m using 2 Mogami Gold Balanced TRS ¼ cables connecting the speakers to my DAC.

 

Thanks! 

 

[JRG1990]

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Gold-6-Foot-Cable-DSTP/dp/B00004Z5T2/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1326905259&sr=8-13

 

[alphaphoenix]

I recommend Kimber Kable.  It's not terribly expensive, but performs very well.  There are cheaper alternatives, and I ordered from headroom:
 
http://www.headphone.com/accessories/usb-cables.php

 

[CB3874]

Thanks!

 

[mhconley]

I use Audio Advisor's Pangea PCOCC USB cable: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGUSBPC
 
They also have a much more expensive pure silver version: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGUSBAG
 
Monoprice.com makes some very inexpensive and very functional USB cables too: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10303
 
Martin

 

[alphaphoenix]

^Great recommendation on the Pangea.  Totally forgot about them.

 

[CB3874]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Tablix]

USB cable creating noise??? how??  Seriously I am really interested, as I can see no possible way for you to add noise to a digital signal, from a "noob" perspective.  If you send data down a cable, the same data is at the other end, no degrade, no interferance.  I could be completely wrong as I am not a tech expert but the usb cable cannot be subject to interferance like audio noise.  This leads me to believe its either source (crap in = crap out) or its bewteen the apogee and the speakers. 
 
Is this why you said hornets nest??
 
really if I am able to learn something I am open to others opinions.

 

[CB3874]

I think I will give this one a try....
 
http://www.kimber.com/products/interconnects/digital/usb/bbus/ag/

 

[cifani090]

Quote:

I recommend Kimber Kable.  It's not terribly expensive, but performs very well.  There are cheaper alternatives, and I ordered from headroom:
 
http://www.headphone.com/accessories/usb-cables.php

x2, i love there cables. I love the RCA's and speaker cable i have from them.
 

 

[branqazwsx]

Quote:

USB cable creating noise??? how??  Seriously I am really interested, as I can see no possible way for you to add noise to a digital signal, from a "noob" perspective.  If you send data down a cable, the same data is at the other end, no degrade, no interferance.  I could be completely wrong as I am not a tech expert but the usb cable cannot be subject to interferance like audio noise.  This leads me to believe its either source (crap in = crap out) or its bewteen the apogee and the speakers. 
 
Is this why you said hornets nest??
 
really if I am able to learn something I am open to others opinions.

 
 
BUMP

 

[J.Pocalypse]

It's all just 1's and 0's. Besides build quality, how much can a "high end" USB cable really help? One of the biggest bottles of snake oil in the chain, IMO..

 

[proton007]

What he said ^^ As long as a cable meets USB spec, its the same whether you buy a cheap or expensive cable.

 

[CB3874]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm not going to dispute what other people hear. I heard a difference. A cheap cable can pickup noise and the data could be mixed up with the power. I don't know and I'm not going to pretend I know. I've read other people posts on the matter and was intrigued. I was more concerned about minimizing noise than sound quality. I ordered the Audioquest Carbon USB cable to hear for myself. I was pleasantly surprised and did a A/B test with a couple of other people, one was salesperson at a HiFi shop. They all picked the Audioquest Carbon. The HiFi salesperson even said the Audioquest Carbon was better than the Transparent Audio Performance USB cable they had. I don't know what else to say. I was skeptical but I heard a difference. I would rather put the funds toward to headphones or a headphone amp, but the new cable was a worthy upgrade. 

 

[proton007]

Quote:

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm not going to dispute what other people hear. I heard a difference. A cheap cable can pickup noise and the data could be mixed up with the power. I don't know and I'm not going to pretend I know. I've read other people posts on the matter and was intrigued. I was more concerned about minimizing noise than sound quality. I ordered the Audioquest Carbon USB cable to hear for myself. I was pleasantly surprised and did a A/B test with a couple of other people, one was salesperson at a HiFi shop. They all picked the Audioquest Carbon. The HiFi salesperson even said the Audioquest Carbon was better than the Transparent Audio Performance USB cable they had. I don't know what else to say. I was skeptical but I heard a difference. I would rather put the funds toward to headphones or a headphone amp, but the new cable was a worthy upgrade. 

 
See, its your ears, so whatever ups the enjoyment, and as long as you don't have any buyers remorse, its ok.