[Bluetick]

How far can I run a USB cable before it degrades or alters fidelity/data?

Context: New set-up. I am dedicating a computer for use as a media server in my basement, yet I want the USB DAC to be located above it on the next floor. Distance is about twenty feet (max). I can fish a long USB cable with no problem, but wonder what (if any) sonic trade-offs come from it.

 

[Bluetick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluetick /img/forum/go_quote.gif How far can I run a USB cable before it degrades or alters fidelity/data?

Man, I'm stoopid. 3 sec google.

For anyone concerned: 5 meters unless you add hubs, then it's a maximum of 25 meters.

 

[Barock]

Yes, I've seen the 5 metre usb cables in the shops. I have a 3 metre cable to connect from the PC to media player and that works flawlessly on its own. I have noticed that it can 'act up' a bit when attached to a 1m extension cable though, so might go for the 5m one.

 

[TopPop]

I've heard that more than 12 ft. is an absolute no-no for good sound, but I can't tell a lick of a difference between my 3 ft. and 16 ft. Belkin cables.

 

[Nicolas2305]

5m is correct but instead of a hub(must be powered) to go further than that, you should check for active usb cables wich are powered usb cables(cheaper than a powered hub plus usb cable).

Your other option would be a media server with a squeezebox or something similar.

 

[boozcool]

I got a 1 meter cable gold belkin cable. Wouldnt take it farther than 2 meters personally

To determine the length, its dependent upon the AWG gage. The larger the gage, the less losses. Material plays a part as well


I'd recommend a squeezebox too

 

[tea-head]

FWIW

5m is the spec for USB single cable. Longer runs need 'active extension' to prevent significant signal loss. 25m is max with 5 active cables. Longer runs demand transmitter and receiver units running CAT 5 or 6 between.

t

 

[FallenAngel]

3m for low-speed, 5m for full-speed. These limits are by design as USB was never meant for long-run use and it does not depend on wire gauge, because signal loss isn't as much of a problem (it's really not a voltage or current bottleneck); the protocol is simply not designed to handle long lengths because of timing issues it and the signal delay that arises when having a longer cable.

 

[krmathis]

Anything above 5 meters I would say.
...or as a general rule, keep it as short as possible.

 

[audioengr]

I routinely use 5M Belkin Gold with great results using my Off-Ramp 3 and Overdrive DAC's. However, the USB interface and implementation will have a big impact on performance, so the answer will depend on the device as well as the cable.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

 

[blessingx]

At one point I was going to run a two room/Headamp Pico setup.

At the time I was contemplating picking up a few of these:

Active USB Extension Cable, 16 feet - SW-1202, $16.95