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digital all sound the same they have to ..
Originally Posted by tekdemon /img/forum/go_quote.gif lol, any cable that carries a digital signal-so long as it works-is fine. You can't get better audio quality when all the digital bits are already sent fine, any more than your mp3 downloads become magically better sounding if you download them over $9000/month internet instead of a $50 a month internet connection, lol. |
Originally Posted by Prog Rock Man /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you any examples/proof of that? To the OP, was your problem actually a ground loop? You can get isolators which go between the DAC and amp here Amazon.co.uk: ground loop isolator |
Originally Posted by Prog Rock Man /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hansen, ground loop is basically a problem with different electrical items not being grounded and there is interference between them. That in turn causes noise issues. |
Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif In this discussion, I'm a member. The only chance aftermarket cables have to impact sound is by diverging from specifications. I admit I don't know if kimber is one of those cables. They could be perfectly good usb2 spec cables, comparable to belden, except for the marketing nonsense. If they're handmade, or leave pins disconnected, then they're worse than snake oil, they're detrimental and non-conforming. |
I'd try a direct connection first and foremost, with as short of a USB run as possible even though the spec is limited to 5m.
Second piece of advice is to try various USB ports on your computer. I had a lot a digital garbage noise coming through on one side of my old MBP, that was reduced on the other side of the computer.
Make sure the USB cable isn't being run adjacent to any other cables.
Finally, if you still have a problem with RFI, does your Kimber cable have the Ferrite filter cores attached. On the Kimber Ag you can request those for a minimal fee. They come standard on the Cu version.
It is a misnomer that all USB cables sound the same cuz' the are digital and "bits are bits". The also have raw 5V DC running with the differential signals. The USB signal leads still carry electrons like any analog wire and will have a rise time and propagation rate determined by the conductor and insulator used. The issue with USB audio is that it is not packet based and there is no error correction. The 0V point is when a "0" is determined to be a "1" and a good cable will give you a good rise time without interference and internal reflections caused by impedance mismatches anywhere from the transmitter chip to the receiver chip.
A good, short Belkin Gold would be okay too but I think they start at 2m. I'd rather have a short 0.5m or shorter cable without the ferrite core, run clean, and made with excellent construction. The Kimber is both crimped and soldered at the connectors as well so if you have it I'd just look at the recs above and see if you can make it work for you. If not, I doubt it is the cable unless you are running without the ferrite cores. Good luck!
I do not believe there is a ferrite core around the cable in any USB cable spec.
So any Kimber USB cable with a ferrite core will be off spec.