The USB Cable Tweak

[Nikhil]

Audiopolitan, I might be interested in USB connectors (Male USB A and Male USB B type) if you happen to have any.
For some reason I can't find anything here in Hyderabad.

BTW nice blog you have going! Spent some time on there a few days ago ...

 

[Audiopolitan]

Audiopolitan, I might be interested in USB connectors (Male USB A and Male USB B type) if you happen to have any.
For some reason I can't find anything here in Hyderabad.

BTW nice blog you have going! Spent some time on there a few days ago ...

Hello Nikhil,

Thank you for the kind words.

I sourced the USB connectors from USA. Kindly PM me with your contact details. I will have it sent out in the mail tomorrow.

 

[Nikhil]

Thanks for the help Audiopolitan! Truly appreciate it!!

 

[Audiopolitan]

Thanks for the help Audiopolitan! Truly appreciate it!!

Nikhil, You are most welcome. Hope you succeed in what you are trying to achieve & enjoy it too.

 

[Nikhil]

FM Audiopolitan was kind enough to send me a complete "audio grade" USB kit with which I made a USB cable without the +5V wire at all - just the three Data+, Data- and GND. The new cable is now in my rig and sounds very nice indeed. All the benefits of the earlier tweak with a cleaner sound thanks to the better quality cable, solder and connectors.

My initial observations are that the earlier tweaked cable sounds a bit ragged in comparison. The sound of the newer cable is just a tad thinner and cleaner. Leaving it in for a "burn in" to see if any changes come about. So far about 25 hrs of burn in has gone in. Audiopolitan has suggested about a 100 hrs so let's see what happens.

The tweak is essentially the same but the new cable has been made with better quality materials - audio grade wire and solder. Not sure if the connectors are standard USB connectors.

Cheers!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Love the mat!

I don't know if anybody would want to look, but it would be interesting to know if that power cable is connected to anything inside the DAC?

 

[keith_correa]

Nikhil my inquisitive mind requests more details on these:

but the new cable has been made with better quality materials - audio grade wire

and solder.

Not sure if the connectors are standard USB connectors.

If they are not "standard" how do they differ from "standard" - how would they even work if they were not as per the USB specifications?

 

[reignofchaos]

As per USB specs, the impedance of the connector should be 90 ohm. If it is not, it might be distorting the signal.

 

[gvenu]

Good Stuff Nikhil....

Venu

 

[Nikhil]

Nikhil my inquisitive mind requests more details on these:

If they are not "standard" how do they differ from "standard" - how would they even work if they were not as per the USB specifications?

Keith, they are USB standard. However, as far as what makes them "audio grade" I will leave that to FM Audiopolitan to answer. However, I think it's just the cable and solder. The connectors are probably standard USB Male A type and B Type connectors.

 

[Nikhil]

Looking back at Audiopolitan's emails, here is what he sent me ... so yes the connectors are also spec'd to his requirements.

(Audiopolitan I hope you don't mind my reproducing your email here)

The braided cable may appear thin but the conductors are thicker than what you will find in most mass-market brands. This wire is manufactured & sheathed to my specification after years of trial & error. If terminated perfectly this cable can sound really good.

The USB terminals for soldering the wires are very narrow & parallel to each other. I have included a very efficient solder that melts quickly & flows freely unlike the Indian ones. It is paramount that you use as little solder as possible or else the solder will flow over to the adjacent terminals and wires too. Pls tin the exposed wires before soldering them on the terminals. A narrow soldering tip is the key tool here.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Here's an interesting article from Achimago on solving a USB noise probem.

 

[Audiopolitan]

Hi Nikhil, So was the DIY effort worthwhile or futile?

 

[mpw]

Hi Nikhil, So was the DIY effort worthwhile or futile?

he is on a green mountain right now...

do not disturb.

mpw

 

[Nikhil]

Ha ha ha ... true mpw and it's a nice trip at the moment!

Audiopolitan I have the cable in the rig and it's doing a pretty good job.
Since I also have the new speakers in my setup I'm just waiting for things to settle.