USB cables.

I have a Wireworld UltraViolet - it is beautifully made and separates the power from the signal. I think it improved the sound quite markedly and surprisingly even though I knew it couldn't. This was with the MF V-Link convertor (original model: MF has a new one now, don't you just hate companies that bring out new streaming products ever other week).  

I'm not saying you can't find an equally good USB for less, but the UV is not very silly money and like a Mr Kipling cake is exceedingly good. You can get it in the Amazon among other places.

Google Wireworld UV USB for details.

Imagine this is Deep Purple and that is it. 

PS - If you go for the silly money Starlight be interest to know what you think. 

Thanks Guido.

Hi Howard, done a little bit of reading on this, USB is effectively like a powered half duplex Ethernet lead. The data transmitted is completely packetised, and follows it's own network protocol. streamed Audio data uses the Isochronous data transmission method of USB which has similarities to the SPDIF protocol, and Ethernet UDP transport protocol.

USB has the shielded twisted pair network links plus two seperate Powerlines (whose ground must be seperated from shield to avoid EMI pollution)

Therefore good cables will have low EMi/RFI generation, both directly and indirectly coupled, and also correctly terminate between endpoints in terms of impedance (capacitance/inductance, resistance) to reduce reflections  and distortions, quite important for Isochronous mode. Although the same methods of decouupled clock samole clock recovery in SPDIF can equally be applied to good effect on iso USB.

With this I would say with USB to drive for optimism performance the only sure way of determining a good cable for your particular system is trial and error, and ensure there are no other USB devices using the USB controller as your audio on your host/PC. Don'tassume a glitzy pretty USB cable will improve performance in your setup. But a cable with a good quality twisted pair with a good gauge of wire and optimum characteristic impedance with its connectors, and seperate shield and ground will perform well.

Simon

One other complaint is the cable connection to the USB-CoAx converter. B type plug? 

Do you think that a better cable would have a better plug?

Howard,

Are you using a female to male usb cable?

Stu.

Howard, I would say yes - having a quality cable let down by its connector - which in HF signal cabling is often the most important part - seems a little bit of a false economy to skimp on an inaccurate connector. If it had a poor connector it clearly wouldn't be a better cable....

Simon

Standard USB type A to Type B. Center sticky out thing on the socket, not cable. 

Hey Biggie

Sounds like you are now having the flaky experience I had. Perhaps you should put the USB cable money towards a s/h HiFace for about £40. If your serious about streaming long term, thats my best recommendation.

J

OK that sounds like a good idea, I'm quite happy with the sound. It's not a huge problem but just a bit annoying.

We'll speak when we get back form our hols.

There is a very high quality but very, very affordable USB cable from the pro cable manufacturer, Klotz. I am using several in my systems.