USB Cable Comparison Audience / Cardas / Purist / Stealth / Wireworld

@respected_ent  @lalitk  Thanks for the additional information. Are you ordering?

Thank you for the info. I spoke to Mr. Goran Vukmanovic as well, there are two versions of Callisto USB cable, with or without 5V rail. 

You can have this cable in 1.0M or 1.3M lengths for CHF874.00 / delivered. 

I heard back from the FTA owner, Goran.  The 1m Callisto USB cable is $850 CHF (Swiss Franc) + $24 CHF shipping.  So, that's roughly $880 USD.

Thanks, @respected_ent 

@ferrox, FTA Callisto looks interesting.  What is the price and is there a US dealer/distributor?

Found the FTA website:  www.finaltouchaudio.com

@ferrox  Thanks for bringing the FTA Callisto to my attention. I'd love to try it. Do you have a link to access Final Touch Audio? I wasn't able to locate it with a first pass on Google. I'll dig deeper.

David, me and some of my audio friends have tested this FTA Callisto usb cable (FTA stands for Final Touch Audio) from Serbia. It is the masterpiece of Zoran, the owner.

This cable gives everything I need, deep bass, expansive sound stage, superb holographic and full sounding. 

I have been using some other usb cable including the totaldac but FTA beats them easily.

I wish you could find one to test and compare and share it one more time. :)

willyj:  ......( LOL!)

RE: 
willemj1,036 posts03-13-2018 12:10pm1 Could you identify them blind?
2 What are the statistics on repeat identification?

" ...See here for some measurements that should give pause for thought: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/search?q=usb+cable "

You and Archie (Bunker/Blogspot); there is something so telling about chaps as you, Archie-Bunker/Blogspot and brethren from the same waxed-ear gene pool.

For you, here is:
  ... Some facts that should give YOU pause for thought:

There are dozens of cable manufacturer's in business for decades; carrying hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in inventory, selling through year-after-decade, after decade.
Hi-Fi mag's, and millions of satisfied/thrilled listener's appreciating this (rightfully) much valued component (cabling).
Year, after year.
Millions of people.
Multi-million dollar, thriving industry.

And then, there's you -and the 'Bunk(er)' clan, extolling the virtues of dollar-store hamburgers !

Priceless.

peter jasz

I would add  to yours above that is personal liking depended...
Wireworld platinum usb is indeed a amazing cable it did hit me hard from the first note, it was a tad on the bright side, on the top end on my system, and I demoed it for some time. It was on the top of my list before the Stealth USB Select came into play. 

All cables are system dependent.   In my system, Nordost Valhalla was way too "goosed".   I agree and own top Wireworld.

I tried the Audioquest Diamond a couple years ago, but I don’t remember how it sounded or what I thought of it.  It didn’t leave that much of an impression on me so that might be saying something!

Havent tried the SR UEF but I’m sure it’s great!  

Just to add to my thoughts on the Nordost Heimdall 2, wireworld platinum, and audience plus.  These cables sounded very different from each other in regards to frequency response.  For these reasons,  I’d highly recommend try before you buy.  I can see the wrong cable being awful in certain systems.  Whereas with the stealth usb-t, prana, and purist 30th, you probably can’t go wrong with any but it could be a matter of taste if you compare them.  I’m pretty sure the Valhalla 2 will sound amazing in any system.  Prob on the same level with the SR Galileo!

@respected_ent  The SR Galileo UEF USB cable is my current reference. It's fantastic but also very pricey.

Similar to what @yo2tup shared via his findings, the SR (within my system) plays in a different league. 

Thanks to @dlcockrum  for bringing it to my attention as well as bringing it over for a demo in my system. The upside and impact was immediately obvious.

@rwpollock Your post is on the money about the ’T’ tuneable version of the Stealth. And great advice for those considering the Stealth USB.

@johndoe21ro I haven’t had a chance to bring the Audioquest Diamond in system. I do have their Diamond RJ/E cable coming my way in a few weeks (part of a LAN cable shoot-out).

@yo2tup Thanks for sharing your findings. I’d love to try the Valhalla 2.

How does the Synergistic Research Galileo UEF USB compare?  It's supposed to be one of the best USB cables available.

Did a recent comparison of a lot of usb cables mentioned in this thread, as well some Nordost ones.

I felt that the Audience, Nordost Heimdall 2, and Wireworld platinum were all on the same level and were a matter of system matching and taste.

Stealth, Purist 30th, Prana, and Nordost Tyr 2 were all a step up....also a matter of system matching and taste.

And unfortunately, in my system the Nordost Valhalla 2 USB was in another league. A clear step up from the rest.  That price tag though... ugh

What about AudioQuest Diamond USB?

If you don't mind spending a bit more money :-) I would recommend going for the T (tunable) version of the Stealth USB cable. It will allow you to change for your particular DAC or speakers. (However, if you are the obsessive type it may not be a good idea.)

Very comprehensive review.  Have not thoroughly done anything on USB cable.  But your writings reflected my personal experience when comparing cables.  

Thank you for the contribution!

The full break-in experience mirrored yours. Just short of two weeks, in my case.

For those that may be following, I did find the cable enjoyable and performing well after a couple of days of break in.

@david_ten  Unlike tinian though my usb-t cable took a little over two weeks for me to fully realize how good this cable is. It was too laid back at first and I was getting a little disappointed it might not be what I had hoped. But then it opened up and showed how dynamic and detailed it really is but in a very natural and beautiful way. 

Feels weird to have to come to a cable thread where people act like adults and are civil towards one another. Hope I didn’t just jinx it... :)

@t_ramey Thanks for sharing your findings and differences between your three USB cables. Good stuff, indeed!!! I’m glad it worked out.

As @tinian points out, it is "the most balanced and natural" cable in his comparative findings as well.

Your post, and his, sheds light on the Stealth USB being a special cable worth consideration.

I’ve had the Stealth USB-T in my possession for several weeks now and have compared it to the Phasure Clarixa I had been using as well as the Mad Scientist Black Magic that I recently picked up. 

The Clarixa has been a great cable but always thought it was just a tad etched in its tone and wondered if trying a new cable would alleviate that. The Black Magic improves on this tone and provides a holographic soundstage that is really fun to listen to. I like that it gives voacals and stringed instruments an ethereal quality that I think befits it’s name of Black Magic. For the price I think the Black Magic is exceptional and am glad I took a chance on it. 

The Stealth seems to allow more information through and definitely has a bigger and wider soundstage than any other usb cable I’ve tried. The natural tone of the Stealth while still giving plenty of dynamics and detail is what I like the most about it. While it may not be as holographic as the Black Magic I think that instruments sound more real with the Stealth. The strike of a piano key and the sound of a cymbal definitely gives a more vivid but real sound that’s make me glad I ventured out and tried this cable. Everything I wanted to improve on the Clarixa got improved. The Stealth has a certain “magic” of its own and is hard to really explain but reminds me back to david_ten’s remarks about getting lost in the music. Not one thing stands out but taken as a whole it’s a pretty cool thing. 

Thanks David for sharing your experiences here and shining some light on this Stealth brand that I’m kinda surprised isn’t talked about more. Good stuff.

Have been testing usb cables for a year now and have also concluded that the stealth is the most balanced and natural. It almost sounds like a high end rca cable. Amazing speed, balanced throughout the spectrum, soundstage is endless and very much according to the recording. No exaggerations just ultra high detail in an all natural format, in all dB levels. 
It surely is an end game usb cable imho, and does not require almost any break in, in about 50hrs it was all set in. Would recommend to get 1.5m length, as tested the 1m and found to 0,5m difference to remove any digital remains if any. Now my Aurender and Gryphon dac are in pure harmony. For the record it is a usb t select. 

Have you heard of the Intona USB cable?
It seems to be relatively new and is made by the same German company that makes the Intona USB Hi Speed Islolator.

I can't vouch for it but it looks promising and is cheaper than what you've tried so far.

All the best,
Nonoise

Grab it! : )

https://www.usedcable.com/digital-cables/stealth_audio.html

@david_ten 

Since reading your review of the Stealth I’ve always had it in the back of my mind but the price is a bit steep and have yet to see a used one come up for sale. 

I currently have a Phasure Clarixa and it’s great but some day would like to venture out with other cables. The Black Magic is half the cost of the base Stealth so I wonder how close it comes to it. 

@t_ramey  I have not. I hear great things about his product line. 
And his connection with KLE Innovations (another terrific line of cables) is notable.

Are you looking into the Black Magic USB cable? 

Best, - David.

@david_ten 

Any chance you’ve had an opportunity to try the Black Magic usb cable from Mad Scientist?

Untruths do not become outdated by seeing them repeatedly.

Truth does not become outdated from seeing it repeatedly.

What that actually proves is you can prove anything with measurements. All you need to do is find the test that proves your argument. It’s easier than falling off a log. In fact this all proves my point - the results of all tests are unreliable.

@willemj,

Thanks for posting the link for the upteenth time. 

This thread is clearly intended for the benefit of those believe in ‘cable matters’ and are able to discern the audible differences with each respective cable. 

Cheers! 

See here for some measurements that should give pause for thought: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/search?q=usb+cable

1 Could you identify them blind?
2 What are the statistics on repeat identification?

david_ten 
Great post thanks for sharing

My USB comparison is ’published’ here:

https://usbcablecomparison.blogspot.com/

It’s an easier and hopefully more coherent read as one full / complete write-up (versus the multiple posts above).

I will be evaluating another USB Cable compared to my previous reference, the Stealth USB , next week.

Man, that’s a lot of money to spend on a USB cable. But I’m also a believer in spending money on cables, so I don’t have a problem with it. 

In the much less expensive category, I would throw in this one. 
Oyaide Neo d+ Class A USB 2.0 Cable
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/oyaide-neo-d-class-a-usb-20-cable/
 I can hear a difference but haven’t tried what you have. 

Very nice information and time taken to compare and write this all up.  I personally do not use a USB cable so I have no opinion on any of the cables although I have used the different brands in other applications and have found a few similar results, go figure.  Anyway it all comes down to what you prefer anyway so as long as you are satisfied and happy, and enjoy listening, then that is what matters most.  Happy Listening.

I also want to thank all who have posted. Thank you for your interest and your thoughts and suggestions.

This may or may not be helpful RE cable length for USB since this article is focused on S/PDIF.

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm

I would suggest reaching out to Steve Nugent who posts here as audioengr

@dlcockrum  @t_ramey  @knownothing   

Thank you for your kind words. Good to hear you like the write-up. It's been exhausting and time-consuming. So the 'thumbs up' is appreciated.

@ricred1   Good question and point.

I've heard smaller than 1M lengths for some USB cables being best. I've also read about avoiding longer lengths for some types of interconnect cables.

I did not ask the question specifically of any of the the cable companies represented in this comparison.

Stealth's FAQ section does not address cable length. It does address a number of other issues. I reached out to Audience for a separate question, and their response did not address cable length.

I requested equal lengths of cabling from The Cable Co. but they were not able to match all, via their lending program. 

When I was ready to purchase the Stealth I asked The Cable Co specifically about the length (the demo was 1.5M) because I did not want any surprises with a new length. I was informed that there would be no sonic difference or penalty or upside between the 1M to 2M lengths of Stealth.

I chose the 1M length because I don't like having excess cable hanging off the shelves and also paying for a length I am unlikely to need, in this application.

I cannot, from memory, discern any difference in the performance between my Stealth 1M and the 1.5M demo. 

Have you found differences? It will be good to know if you have. Thanks.

Plus 1 for @t_ramey 

@david_ten excellent review chain. Thanks for sharing.

Most companies recommend 1.5 meters for USB. I know Wireworld suggests 1.5 meters as the optimal length. Does Stealth suggest 1.5 meters as optimal? I noticed that the WW was 1 meter, do you think the results would differ if the WW was 1.5 meters?

Here is one example of a track I used to assess the cables. It isn’t a typical audiophile choice, but it served a number of purposes for my evaluation.

The differences between the cables are illustrative and reflective of the final outcomes.

’Giorgio by Moroder’ on Random Access Memories by Daft Punk

There is a long [1:50 min:sec] segment of Giovanni ’Giorgio’ Moroder speaking. He’s speaking at a venue (overlaid in the recording studio) with venue information, background voices/music/sounds, an electronic arpeggio beat and house music.

I like evaluating components / my system with voice segments. This particular track offers layered and very different types of information, essentially at the same time or very closely together. The highlight for me is Girogio’s spoken English with a slight accent.

A series of clicks are introduced into the track at the 1:30 mark. The track transitions to full on synth beat after the 1:52 mark. This evaluation was focused through the 2:00 minute mark.

The comparison resulted in the following rank order: Stealth > Purist 30th > Wireworld.

P30: The musical line lightly powers over his voice and there is a slight haze with less micro-detail vs the Stealth. There is slightly less background information when the track opens (the first few seconds). It’s presentation is superior to the WW and it moves closer to the Stealth in fullness and the energy conveyed (vs the WW). I found it a smidge slower and with slightly rounder definition than the Stealth.

WW: The bass is rounder than both the Stealth and P30. There is more movement to the clicks in the soundstage (with the P30 and Stealth - the clicks are more fixed positionally) and they are not delivered with the solidity and body of the Stealth. The WW sounds ’thinner’ and less palpable than the Stealth. The voice also comes across slightly faster / ’rushed’ perhaps. The WW did very well with background and venue detail and information.

The WW presentation is not as musically engaging. It doesn’t sound as real...in my notes, I label the sound with respect to the other two cables as ’artificial sounding’ for this specific segment.

Stealth: The conversation sounds very real, to my ears. The clarity/transparency delivers superior voice vs. the other two cables. The inflections, the breaks and starts, the breathing and subtleties of his voice and accent are clearer and more real. There is more body and weight to the voice, which also holds up at lower volumes (vs the other cables).

As a very specific example within this track segment and the voice part of it: the ’trill’ in the ’R’ in when he says his own name ’Giorgio’ at ~1:50 is expressed better.

The venue information and background voices and noises are presented better than the other cables. The bass line is both tighter and more musical throughout and doesn’t overpower Giorgio’s voice. The timing or pace of the music is the best among these cables. It has the more impactful and musically engaging presentation among these three cables.

The Stealth puts me more ’There’ and with more of an ’It’ or ’Wow’ factor, when I compare these cables. The Purist 30th Anniversary is a close second. The WW a more distant third, with this specific track segment.

For those interested, here is a link to more information on this recording, courtesy Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_by_Moroder

@david_ten 

This is one of the better reviews/evaluations or whatever you want to call it of a cable or component that I've read in quite some time. Not everybody can convey their thoughts and feelings into words and I think you've done that exceptionally well here. I've experienced something similar lately where you get "lost in the music state" as you put it and you just want to stay there. It's amazing that with just one change of either a tube or a cable you can lose it. My problem is I'm constantly wanting to try new things instead of just being content with what is a musically and emotionally satisfying experience. That emotionally engaging experience is hard to explain to people and I think what separates those who just want to put a system together and "hear music" and those who get lost in the music. Very well done.