For moving data non-real-time from disk to memory or another disk, the USB cable is not very important. Any decent one that meets specs will do.
For USB streaming audio interfaces it is very important. This is real-time sensitive. Losses, impedance and dispersion all matter.
Async USB interfaces contain the Master Clock of the system, so they are extremely important. The vast majority of USB interfaces are poorly implemented, so they will likely not match the SQ of your CD transport. There are exceptions though. Its just like shopping for a good cartridge for your vinyl. You get what you pay for.
As for the USB cable, the Async interface makes the jitter from the computer unimportant, however there are other mechanisms that can add jitter to the receiver. One of these is common-mode noise. This can vary with the cable and the computer USB port. A second one is EMI or radiated emissions. If the cable and connectors are not the proper impedance, reflections occur and radiation occurs. This can impact the receiving device. Thirdly, the error rate can impact the SQ.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
For USB streaming audio interfaces it is very important. This is real-time sensitive. Losses, impedance and dispersion all matter.
Async USB interfaces contain the Master Clock of the system, so they are extremely important. The vast majority of USB interfaces are poorly implemented, so they will likely not match the SQ of your CD transport. There are exceptions though. Its just like shopping for a good cartridge for your vinyl. You get what you pay for.
As for the USB cable, the Async interface makes the jitter from the computer unimportant, however there are other mechanisms that can add jitter to the receiver. One of these is common-mode noise. This can vary with the cable and the computer USB port. A second one is EMI or radiated emissions. If the cable and connectors are not the proper impedance, reflections occur and radiation occurs. This can impact the receiving device. Thirdly, the error rate can impact the SQ.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio