Anyone Compared Chord Signature Tuned Array USB to Wireworld Ultraviolet

Posted by: ryder. on 20 January 2017

I am not a person who usually go for costly cables but the quality of the Naim gear and sheer enjoyment that I derive from the system have seriously fueled my desire to focus on better cables. My only gripe is the results or performance in the said cables may not live up to my expectations.

To cut to the chase, did anyone try the Chord Signature TA USB and found a marked improvement when compared to cheaper USB cables, particularly the Wireworld Ultraviolet that I currently have in my system.

I would appreciate some advice on this.

Posted on: 22 January 2017 by Mayor West

Ryder you might also want to try the WASAPI driver. I preferred it marginally over ASIO.

Posted on: 22 January 2017 by Mayor West
elkman70 posted:

Hi Analogmusic,

Thank you for the comprehensive response. I think I sort of understand. When buying a good USB cable, how do you know if the cable addresses the CRC issues you describe and, what would be a good cable to go for?

Having tried a variety of the less expensive USB cables over the years, I would say they definitely make a difference to the sound. It's worth experimenting with

Posted on: 22 January 2017 by ryder.

Thanks Mayor. I will try the WASAPI driver on another day.

Posted on: 22 January 2017 by Emre
ryder. posted:

Perhaps I'll just get the RCA to 5-pin DIN of the Chord Signature TA and call it a day. Will stick to the Wireworld Ultraviolet USB. I seriously hope this cable would be an improvement to the current Flashback cable that I have.

Thanks for all the advice which have proven to be useful.

I am also looking for a din/ rcables between cd2x- 272, I came across Atlas hyper ultra, any idea about them,  Atlas is not getting much of an attraction in Naim forum

 

Posted on: 22 January 2017 by Halloween Man

I use an inexpensive Belkin USB cable as they are USB Hi Speed Certified, meaning it meets a certain standard for data transmission over USB. I use it to connect my Apple Macbook to Chord Hugo TT. I have absolute belief that it's doing its job correctly and it will sound no different to any other USB certified cable of the same length, the DAC will sound exactly as Chord Electronics intended it to sound.

I am not so sure about expensive hi-end estoteric hifi USB cables that are not USB certified.

If your QBD76 doesn't have galvanic isolation on the USB input then you are better off spending your money on Intona USB isolator to eliminate noise from USB output of your laptop (also use battery power for even better isolation from mains noise) and use an inexpensive USB certified cable such as Belkin. Well isolated and reliable data transmission. Keep USB cable away from other cables. Job done.

Posted on: 22 January 2017 by Halloween Man

ASIO has less CPU load (therefore will generate less noise) than WASAPI so in theory should be the better of the two for Chord DAC driver. Both should be bit perfect, if DAC is well isolated then should not hear any difference.

Posted on: 28 January 2017 by elkman70
james n posted:

Elkman - i not get too hung up about USB cables and bit perfect transmission. Unless it's some very cheap knock off cable then any off the shelf USB cable should meet the USB spec and just work (as you've already found with your present cable...). You be noticing clicks and pops in your music if there were problems. 

Audiophile USB cables change the construction slightly to separate out the power, ground and data cables to try and minimise the coupling of noise from the host computer into the DAC. This is where the main difference between USB cables comes in and why they sound 'different'. I wouldn't go OTT with the USB cable as money would be better spent on the source but a decent cable for not a lot of money is the Chord Silver Plus USB cable. 

James

 

I took your advice and the advice of others and have invested in a Chord Silver Plus USB. The difference is marked which I have to say was a surprise. A much clearer well defined treble. It does make me wonder how USB cables change as you go up the price range, not that I'm going there just yet.

Posted on: 28 January 2017 by analogmusic

USB cables do make a difference....

I don't understand why ethernet cables make a difference too, but they do.

Posted on: 28 January 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk
analogmusic posted:

I don't understand why ethernet cables make a difference too, but they do.

Ali - not really any  great mystery - but you may need to be an engineer to appreciate why - 

A good little design white paper from Texas Instruments on how to reduce the effect of Ethernet cables and physical driver coupling and emissions on connected equipment (and nothing to do with bits and bytes....)

http://www.ti.com/lit/an/snla107a/snla107a.pdf

Posted on: 28 January 2017 by ChrisSU
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:
analogmusic posted:

I don't understand why ethernet cables make a difference too, but they do.

Ali - not really any  great mystery - but you may need to be an engineer to appreciate why - 

A good little design white paper from Texas Instruments on how to reduce the effect of Ethernet cables and physical driver coupling and emissions on connected equipment (and nothing to do with bits and bytes....)

http://www.ti.com/lit/an/snla107a/snla107a.pdf

Simon, are you saying that these issues apply to USB cables too?