USB cables
As file based audio is gaining momentum and many believe asynchronous USB the way to go there is a growing market for audiophile grade USB cables.
The question of course is why a cable can have any impact on sound quality.
Some say that improved jitter performance of a cable can make a difference.
Others say that the reason we use asynchronous USB is exactly to have zero input jitter at the DAC so all what is happening upstream is irrelevant cable included.[1]
Audiophile USB cables are becoming as controversial as high-end power cords.
Much debate on the audio forums, measurements are rare.
Marlene’s Musings is one of the very few resources I know measuring USB cable performance.
Noise, standard cable, from SoundBlaster to ASUS: very low noisefloor
Noise, Audioquest Forest USB cable, from SoundBlaster to ASUS: much higher again on lower frequencies.
Obvious there is a measurable difference although not in favor of the audiophile cable!
Bit more on connecting DACs using USB.
- Computer Audio: Is isolation as good as optimization? - What's Best Forum
- Hot Voodoo: Audio differences between USB cables - yes, they do exist! - Marlene's Musings