Plenty of other investments for me to make before considering cable upgrades but this tweak week has been very interesting, thanks for taking the time to review all these products for us.
Time to upgrate the whole electrical infrastructure from your home all the way to the power plant. No sound is good enough unless you upgrade all those ceramic insulators on high-voltage power lines up to 69km away from your listening room.
That was an excellent Tweak Week, Lachlan! I already knew about Tellurium Q from Terry at Pursuit Perfect Sound, so went for them as speaker cables and XLRs. for digital coaxial I have Tubulus Concentus and for power cables, Puritan Classic+ power cables to which I add ferrite beads, as well as the widely renowned (see Steve Huff amongst others) Puritan PSM156 power conditioner. All were audible improvements to my system. There is a very experienced hifi German reviewer (Headquarter Audio) who swears by Tubulus XLR/RCA and power cables, so Tubulus may be interesting brand to explore for your next Tweak week! Along with perhaps a Puritan power conditioner and power cable as well. All relatively affordable gear which provides a tremendous bang for buck n these inflationary times.
Steve Huff claims to talk to dead celebrities via the medium of 1950s radios. I am not entirely sure that adds to his credibility. Lachlan I entirely accept is giving an honest opinion, but am still a cable skeptic, having never heard a significant difference myself.
Yes, something like that. Sometimes, a device can have a grainier sound or a less smooth top end and it can create a sense of clarity due to the emphasis it creates in higher frequency details, etc. If you then compare it to other, smoother devices though, you might notice that all of the same details and clarity are there so it's more that the first device has a greater sense of clarity without actually revealing anything more than other devices. I hope that makes sense.
The galvanic isolation prevents noise from the source being directly connected into the DAC but it does not prevent noise from the power lines inducing jitter into the signal line. To get the best clean transfer of data both of these issues need to be addressed so in this regard the two separate cable runs from the Concentus has a clear advantage.
I'm sorry to sound unkind, but either you have a fundamental misunderstanding of digital data and digital data transmission or you are knowingly participating in a deception. This is like saying that you used a better USB cable to connect your printer and the short story you printed had a better ending than it did when you printed it using a regular USB cord.
I've given up trying to explain how it might work, because I'm unclear on it myself. I do know that introduced noise via the cable and into the DAC circuit can alter the sound: that's been proved and measured (see Alpha Audio Labs network switch video). What I don't yet understand is how they influence galvanically isolated DACs like the Yggy. However, having trusted my ears on non-isolated DACs BEFORE I had the evidence of how the sound was being altered, I'm going to trust my ears again here because I check myself for expectation bias and the like in every review. This isn't that, but I don't currently have an explanation as to the mechanism of the cable's influence.
@@PassionforSound Given up, because it's baloney. When you stream music from Apple to your home the signal is passing thru god knows what quality cable, cable that can be thousands of miles in length. But it works, why, because the signal is constantly being 'fixed' en-route. Do a spot of research on TCP/IP. When it finally get's to your PC or streamer, the signal is as perfect as it left Apples server (miracle eh). So why do you think you need a mega bucks cable to connect your streamer to a DAC? Yes after the DAC when the signal is an analogue one, yes it is then subject to all sorts of interference, but not before. In short you have wasted cash on that fancy cable.
Wire make a difference, OK, then why does BT use your basic copper clad aluminium cable for telephone connections, the very same cable that your digital music is streaming down. So, the data that reaches you streamer, is already garbage.....? No, the data is exactly the same as it left Apple's Servers. So why do you think that the short digital connection from your streamer/PC to the DAC needs to be expensive?
Impedance matching the source, the transmission line, and the input is ideal. It would be useful to know what the exact impedances measure from end point to end point. "it appears to play music louder" I'm thinking better impedance matching less signal reflection??
As much as USB cables can influence the resultant character of the sound, I don't believe they can actually change the amplitude of the signal so it's more likely to be that the character of the sound was just hitting on my personal sound sensitivities so it seemed louder to my ears.
I'm not qualified to explain how this works and I'm also tired of the pressure to justify any discussion of cables altering sound so I chose to focus just on the impressions.
He's not on the take, he has a great system and great ears. I can also easily hear all such tweaks in my highly resolving system (Audiolab CD transport, Teac Dac, Marantz premium amp, Dynaudio speakers) with my musically trained ears.
@@connorduke4619 Since neither him nor, obviously, you believe in scientific measurements, nothing but a proper blind test can verify yours, his or anyone's impressions. Your and anyone's word is as good as mine. The one and only time he attempted a blind test, it all ended in shambles with him proclaiming that the test was faulty (which it was but for other reasons) since it did not verify the sighted subjective impressions.. Fwiw I have a much more advanced system than you but I don't go around bragging about it.
@@razisn I don;t brag about my system, it is relatively affordable yet still highly resolving. Accusing me of ignoring science is correct, it is common knowledge scientific measurements are unable to capture all aspects of sonic performance yet, for example what is the scientific measurement for soundstage depth? Also your assertion that only a blind test can suffice is just that. There are plenty of A-B tests by Alpha Audio and Pursuit Perfect Sound where you can A-B the same 5 seconds of the same tracs in the same room with just one component changed. Open your mind a bit, who knows what you might discover.
@@connorduke4619 An audio-fool is asking me to 'open my mind' and inhale what he's smoking lol. Yes, born again Christians ask me that too. The neighbourhood priest of whatever religion does also. Double blind testing is used in all realms were human perception is scientifically tested from academia to industry and for good reasons because it has been shown time and time again that nothing else works but there's no need to be used in the audio-fool LaLaLand according to people like you.. Ok, I rest my case. Btw, I hate to break it to you but 99% of reviewers are on the take, directly and indirectly and on top of that they also have business reasons to act and say what they say. They would be soon be out of business if they didn't.
Loving this cables reviews! Aslo makes a difference if you connect the USB cable to a DDC? Or anyways the signal will be cleaned and purified in the DDC regardless of the USB cable?
That’s my understanding of it. Some of them optically decouple and regenerate the electrical signal in a circuit fed by a clean power supply, so the USB going into the DDC would be less important if at all. Whatever connection is coming out of the DDC might still influence it to a degree, but that will depend on a large number of factors with the DDC, DAC, and which interface you choose. I will say I was extremely skeptical about the effect of USB cables until I tried the Iris 12th DDC, and it makes an enormous difference in sound, some of which may be due to the optical coupling. I still don’t use a high end USB cable, I think the Iris basically accomplishes the same thing and it hooks to my DACs via either I2S over HDMI or AES, so not much of a role for a high end USB cable there, just a well-shielded one with high durability to accurately feed the data to the buffer on the Iris and get the ball rolling. Still, without a DDC, I can absolutely see how keeping the signal clean with high quality usb would make a noticeable difference. Also, with older gear that uses UAC 1 for USB audio, totally different story, then a DDC or high end USB cable will be an absolute must for high fidelity… That went on a little bit of a tangent, but it’s just a long way of saying, “yes, I think you’re right” 😂
Wow, I put a lot of credibility in Lachlan’s reviews, but for this USB cable comparison, I call bullshit. Cables that transmit analog signals can affect the analog signal in ways which could change/degrade/distort the quality of the signal. Capacitance, inductance, injection of noise, etc., can all change the signal. But for USB, the signal being transmitted is digital/binary. Ones and zeros. And most digital data transfers are not just strings of Ones and Zeros (at the Physical Layer) but actually consist of frames of data that perform some sort of Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) on each frame, at the Data Link Layer. Bad CRC? Drop the frame. And within these frames are packets of data which also have mechanisms to detect whether packets have been corrupted. Bad packet? Retransmit it or drop it, depending on what the communication protocol does. Sure, it is possible that the USB cable could be causing some of what I describe above. But it you want to test and confirm this, the worst possible test is to listen to the analog output of a DAC that was created by converting the digital data back to analog. There are many other factors that could affect the analysis. BUT THE BIGGEST FACTOR IS THAT LACHLAN, AS THE REVIEWER, KNEW WHICH CABLE WAS CARRYING THE SIGNAL HE WAS LISTENING TO!!! Definitely not a blind test. My suggestion: if you want to test and analyze cables like USB (or even TOSLink), which carry digital signals, invest in equipment that can transmit digital bit streams through the cable and compare the data sent and received. Look for errors caused by just the cable. But given the cost of obtaining such equipment, and the potential costs of training and education to fully understand how to conduct the tests and analyze the data, I would suggest just avoiding future reviews of digital cables as transmitters of digital audio.
I apply the same commitment to all reviews to be honest, careful, transparent, etc. so you can take as much from these as the others if you'd like to. There are many things that are still not well understood in this hobby, but the thing that is most likely affecting the performance of different USB cables is their ability to reject noise from the environment, maybe the source (e.g. PC), and also the power line affecting the signal lines in the cables. Alpha Audio measured the influence of noise carried by cables on the downstream device's clock recently and it was quite significant. Beyond that, I can't always explain what I hear (in cables, DACs, amps, etc.) but I'll always honestly describe what I hear AND double check myself for biases before drawing any conclusions. Despite what some will tell you, there are plenty of ways to counteract unconscious biases if you're conscious of their potential existence when testing.
Great Comparison! I'm definitely trying to change up my Curious Cable loom at the moment. I bought the Curious Cable loom to help tame an overly bright system. Now I got a new system, Now it's too rolled off, Too dark/smooth sounding for me.
The TQ Black USB could be just the ticket! That said, I don't know that the Curious cables are warm/dark so maybe give yourself a little adjustment time before changing anything...
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bHIhgxav9LY.htmlsi=ES1bdwQbkoLN3Swm There are enormous misconceptions about the topic over cables and electricity in general. Please attempt a grounding record brush over your cables as I mentioned in the past. Cables need to be considered as a field of electricity. The grounding brush will cleanse and add clarity to all of your audio cables.
That's an excellent video and does help to explain a lot. I'm not sure if the grounding brush will have lasting effects once there's fresh current running through the wires.
I think it makes perfect sense that different USB cables, power cables, interconnect cables and of course the headphones cables would change the sound a little bit. The reason being is unknown, but I think noise and interference is probably what it is. I noticed a small difference from upgrading USB cables and power cables with my DAC, a difference that's definitely worth looking in to if you're interested.
so you are saying that it makes perfect sense something that has 0 scientifical demonstrations. good to know. not only we are talking about something that is against the laws of fisic, but as far as I know no one in history was able to pinpoint differences on cables out of blind tests...
and don't get me wrong, I tried this... at the beginning I was like you, but than I tried different cables at different price points and different length blind tested with friends using an high resolving setup, both with analogic and digital sources and the tesult was a mess... the only one that anyone have been able to identify as "not good" have been very long cable with very poor shielding (and probably it had some manifacturing issue I suspect) but no one was able to identify, blinded, the difference between a decent shielded ofc 40€ 1mt power cable vs an esotheric 800 euro 1mt one.. I ended up thinking it is more a "placebo effect" we feel better because upgrading our system always feels good, and so our brain is forced to feel a difference..
No, there are actually multiple, measurable factors that influence the sound of cables. It's all discussed and explained here by an engineer with measurements and data: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v3nZM2BP9Ew.htmlsi=Gfbf8A3tWsd_5dKM
@@PassionforSound not sure man this is a 3 hour monolog of a person that is engeneering cables as his ful time job, I do not think he would never ever say that cables does not matters, and I do not have enough competencies to say if he is right or wrong... on the other hand the main point is that no one in history, as far as i know, has been able to identify differences in a blind test, identifying consistently one cable over others still remain... I think someone even promised a decent amount of money to anyone would have been able to do it... and the money is still there...
LOL. God forbid you focus on the data and measurements that are all 100% science that sadly doesn't support your beliefs. Instead you avoid the facts and try to refocus the conversation.
I'm a cable skeptic but am entirely willing to accept that others hear differences and have no idea if it has to do with psychoacoustics or a real effect. But... I get very grumpy when people say that the reason I don't hear a difference is because a) my system isn't resolving enough or b) I have cloth ears It so happens that I do have a highly resolving system, but any significant cable effect should scale with different systems. And you know nothing about my auditory acuity as I know nothing about yours. It's time we all learned to behave like adults and respect each other's personal experience.
@@grahampearce2405That is your experience, of course, and I respect it. My compromise is to buy well made, but not super expensive cables, and it works for me. As far as digital cables I recently moved to optical ethernet because my streamer supports it and I'm a sucker for new tech. Does it make a difference? No idea, but if it does, I have it.
Before I've even watched it comment...... USB is digital, it includes parity data, any data errors are corrected as part of the process. In short as long as the cable 'works' there really is no benefit of a fancy cable. I accept that with audio cables, decent cable will make a difference. But as I mention USB is a digital signal. OK, now more comment after watching... From digital source to DAC is digital, with all of the error correction and signal improvement that occurs as part of the process. In short, I'd like proof that the digital signal is changed, or not by this cable. If you put a stream of digital information, i.e. 1's and 0's down a cable they could lose some data, this is well known, and each byte of data contains an error correction bit (parity). Regards the signal degrading, yes over very long cables it can degrade, i.e. the 1's drop in value and the 0's can gain. Again this is corrected as part of the process, unless the USB cable is a lot of metres long. In short, do not waste you cash on fancy digital cables, but feel free to spend hundreds on analogue cables. So, in summary, better made cables may last longer, they may look cool, they may impress your friends, but they will make NO difference to the sound quality. IT"S A DIGITAL SIGNAL. Want to test it, copy a digital file down the cable, then check that copy is a 100% copy of the original, if it is then you have a good cable. No data was lost, none of the signal was lost. an example, you happily listen to streamed digital dat coming from Apple, Spotify or Amazon servers which are likely to be hundreds of miles away, if not thousands. that signal passes down some pretty cheap data cables, it then goes through a cheap router to your PC. Apologies for rant, but it need to be said....... If it's a digital cable, save your cash. If it's analogue then, well it's up to you, but the signal will degrade, and that is what you will hear, a degraded signal.
This is what I don’t understand. The tests have already been done. ASR already has an excellent video all about USB cables. We know the difference is not there. We know the only audible difference would be if the cable is broken. This stuff isn’t magic. This sort of content definitely lowers credibility…
@@jakobgooijer the only people who notice a difference with usb cables are people who already paid hundreds of dollars and placebo’d into it. It’s a digital signal over 1 meter let’s get serious here
That's isn't an answer to what i said. The fact that Amir doesn't understand f.i. why a Cord Dave Dac is so much better than an $250 Dac because of his measurements tells us everything about his approach of audio. Amir is a nice guy but not a Saint @@SomeHandleIGuess
Amir is just lying and pandering to his denialist crowd and what he does is the very definition of pseudoscience presenting some superficial measurements and numbers to fit his narrative. He won't publish of course anything that contradicts this narrative. There are other sites which offer a more unbiased approach to measurements, such as Alpha Audio. As for you, all you have to do is to buy a cheap Supra 2.0 and clearly hear the difference with basic USB cables.
To me, this is like taking medical advice from someone with no medical training who advocates for a device because it made him feel better. He can't explain why, but is convinced it worked and thinks it will help everyone. Buying useless audio accessories won't harm your health, but at minimum a reviewer should have an informed understanding of widely accepted scientific/engineering principles before endorsing a product of debatable worth.
@@user-es3hq5zk4e yes, although I don't think anything resembling deception is going on here. I just think it's a video that didn't add anything to the topic.
Lachlan…I have enjoyed Tweak Week and all the observations which could be credible. I am certainly no expert and do not have any strong opinions one way or the other about the tweaks... I have also enjoyed/hated the experts and the bullies in the comments to varying degrees…but…call me cynical (I live in N.J. so that could be why I am wary), but the last part of this video "to me" seems like a paid-for unapologetic, gushing, sales pitch for Tellurium Cables. Maybe it just me…and my experiences in life, but that is how I am reading it. 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for expressing it respectfully, Bob. I get why you've heard it that way, but it is no different to me saying great things about a product I've really liked at the end of any other review. I recently raved about the Schiit Mjolnir 3 because it really impressed too. Obviously, here in talking about the whole Black II range, but that's because of just tried all of it (the key cables for my system at least). You'll note that I did specify the Black II range only (IIRC). It wasn't an unequivocal recommendation of all Tellurium Q cables and that's what it would have needed to be if it were some kind of paid ad.
@@PassionforSoundThanks for responding with your thoughts…i appreciate it…I just had to post how I perceived that part of your presentation. I did not have those feelings all week about any of the other comparisons…it’s been interesting!! 👍🏼
Why do you guys push for cables so much? It really exposes your true nature. I have worked in telecom for 30 years. Telecom standards are the most superior stand. Gold is inside many telecom systems yet most is copper to the end devices for many decades. What does make the difference is twists in pairs and gauge of wire. What you guys should do is make fancy looking cables for the purpose they were intended. To make a setup look cool. If you were dealing with about the truth and not for a paid shill you would actually teach the gauge of wire with the twists. Real science not feelings, but hey you know what you are. Lol😂 I find you entertaining, but you lose me and many others when you are pushing this chit. Lol😂
Buy a highly resolving system and train your ears with musical instrument (preferably piano) lessons, then upgrade your cables to either Tellurium Q or Tubulus like I did last year with great sonic success, then post again please.
@@jw112mail I view at as opinion. However if one is a liar in little things as they are in bigger things too. So just as he has an opinion so do I. My opinion is 30 years of telecom. What’s yours? Why no talk from these dacs on what codec is used? Could a higher gauge cable unlock g711 codec? While a lesser gauge wire use something like g729? Those 2 have very audible differences and since ZERO people say what audio codec is used for the digital to audio conversion it leads to -could the gauge or a manufacturer have an ability to unlock different codecs with the correct gauge or resistance to the amp? It could be done. It is only a trigger, but many are so tuned into how much something costs they seem to forget about engineering. On purpose?
@@connorduke4619 quick question. Without googling. What is a telecom grade bantam patch cable? What is a codec? I do have a very highly resolving setup. I also have custom cables. I get them for looks, not sound quality. Gauge and twists is most important to analog signal when it comes to a cable.
@@Temperature980 You have a highly resolving system yet you buy cables for looks not sound quality? That's your own choice, I go for the best quality cables within my budget, which I A-B test from youtube live demos.
Being in technology forever including IT, the USB cable is like the audiophile and " Audio fooled" cable. It is hilarious that some of the early entries of USB high end types barely even conformed to the standard and would not play nice with allot of gear. I know this as a customer bought one of these high End USB, actually 2 of the same, and neither would work with his gear. I had a couple decent USB printer cables worked just fine. A whopping $12.00 each for them. He paid me for mine and returned those overpriced silly cables he bought. But hey the voodoo in audio is entertainment in of itself. Empirical science. If you are having noise issues more likely than not it isn't coming from USB. Especially with Galvanic Isolation.
I can't believe you just presented a single anecdote and then preached about empiricism. IT knows nothing of electrical engineering or psychoaccoustics or audiophilia. In IT you assume that the principle of operation of the device is acheived perfectly. It never is.
To all the complainers in the comments. How hard is it for you to NOT click on a video you that does not interest you. There are plenty of videos on youtube that I have no interest in.
