[wwenze]

I just realized why the ferrite rings kill the signal, this morning. It's simple actually.

Ferrite chokes are designed to filter out unwanted RF noise in order of a few hundred kHz to Mhz and up.

Consider that you have 1411kbps of raw audio going through the USB. Even if we ignore USB packet structure and assume you're just sending the data in the rawest form of 1 and 0

That still leaves 1411000 bits per second. A transition from 1 to 0 will occur at a speed which will give 1411k / 2 = 705kHz.

In short some amount of attenuation will occur when the bits switch between 0 and 1, because the speed at which this occurs is within the frequency range at which the ferrite blocks out "noise".

I'm assuming a lot of things and leaving out lots of details, but it's already enough to see how the ferrite will affect the digital signal.

[Knight_Rider]

Originally Posted by sin cruise

to me - yep, there's some difference in sq
last time did an a/b with some members here using 3 different usb cable
stock, belden (i think - k_r help me here) and kimber
conclusion - kimber sound better

Sir it's Belkin Pure AV not belden.
Sounds better after run-in.

[kohroyston]

Originally Posted by sin cruise

to me - yep, there's some difference in sq
last time did an a/b with some members here using 3 different usb cable
stock, belden (i think - k_r help me here) and kimber
conclusion - kimber sound better

Wa uncle seldom see you post here already.

[sin cruise]

Originally Posted by Questor

Want to elaborate on the difference of the kimber cable? Am tempted to give it a try.

in short - more details and vocals more "airy"
btw - no difference in sq between one metre and the two metre length kimber



ot :- tks k_r (remember only the letters "bel" but not the last couple of letters )
roy :- busy chasing debts

[Questor]

Thanks. May give the kimber a try subsequently.

Btw to all: I had removed the ferrites from my $10 daiyo usb cable.. and it does sound more detailed than before, and better than the stock cable. Wortwhile as a cheap tweak for those who want to give it a try.

Basically, having good connectors + no ferrites should be good enough for usb dac applications.

[duckling]

I was at Sin Cruise's place trying out some $30 USB cable vs Kimber...indeed the Kimber sounds better...more details & clean.

You can try Manhattan / AC Ryan USB Cable for a start before jumping to Kimber.

If I remember correctly Kimber has ferrite.

[Questor]

Originally Posted by duckling

I was at Sin Cruise's place trying out some $30 USB cable vs Kimber...indeed the Kimber sounds better...more details & clean.

You can try Manhattan / AC Ryan USB Cable for a start before jumping to Kimber.

If I remember correctly Kimber has ferrite.

That's correct. Many reports also state that the Kimber sounds better without the ferrites. But I hesitate to break it so fast.

Anyway, have ordered the Kimber Kable and will see how it goes.

[Teemax]

I see that the cable companies can still milk the audio folk :p

[mylica]

how to remove the ferrite ? and which one is the ferrite

[Questor]

Originally Posted by mylica

how to remove the ferrite ? and which one is the ferrite

this thing is the ferrite ring. just cut the plastic open, use a hammer to break the inner magnetic core and remove.

[XTimX]

Originally Posted by sin cruise

in short - more details and vocals more "airy"
btw - no difference in sq between one metre and the two metre length kimber



ot :- tks k_r (remember only the letters "bel" but not the last couple of letters )
roy :- busy chasing debts

still free for me to drop by your place ?

[XTimX]

Originally Posted by Questor

That's correct. Many reports also state that the Kimber sounds better without the ferrites. But I hesitate to break it so fast.

Anyway, have ordered the Kimber Kable and will see how it goes.

You sure its not placebo ??

I don't know because for a immediate change in DAC etc it is very noticeable etc...Such subtle changes in music I find from music not very noticeable

[wwenze]

Aiya, go buy a clip-on ferrite ring and keep putting it on-and-off for immediate effect. Get someone to help for ABX testing.

I'm betting on no difference though.

[XTimX]

Well I wager there will be a difference, a difference so small your ears can't hear. >.>

[Questor]

If it helps, I was skeptical before trying out as well. I only do a test with other people around, and not just using my own ears. Just writing here to share my experience. Apart from the limitation on your ears, it could also be a difference that your system can't resolve.

Well, I got the kimber usb cable already.. using with ferrites intact for now. Do think there is some slight difference in tonality and smoothness, but overall it is not as major an improvement vs taking in the $10 cable (minus ferrites). Both sound about as detailed.

Will let it run-in a little while before I do another A/B test with others vs the 3 cables (I have other toys running in at the same time as well), so that we can see if it makes a difference or not. Guess if 1-2 of you are serious about this, you are free to come over to my place to try (room is too small to accomodate more) pending my final report. I live in YCK.

But I want to add - I did some tests in my system without a power conditioner, and the effects of swapping the usb cable were more apparent on my gear then. I am not sure why. So I guess your mileage will vary. As with most such stuff, test one out whenever possible in your own system.