I’m back to that same question I asked about digital servers, “Why on earth do they make any difference in the sound of my system?” Now I’m asking that question about USB cables, in particular the Purist Audio Design 30th Anniversary USB Cable.
I’ve been using a Clarus Crimson USB cable between my Innuos Statement and my PS Audio DirectStream DAC. I’ve never given much thought to USB cables, but being an audiophile I began to wonder about what difference they make in the sound. The thing that most piqued my interest was a review of this very cable on Positive Feedback by my friend Dave Clark.
The first thing I tried was to compare the USB cables I had on hand. These were the Clarus Crimson (retail $350) and WyWires Silver (retail $500). When I could hear a difference with both of these, the second thing I did was to request this cable from Purist Audio USB and the Audience FrontRow USB, which I will review soon.
Description
When the Purist Audio Design cable arrived, I was blown away by its build quality and beauty. Just look at those sturdy gold plated USB connectors. I never dreamed that so much work could go into a lowly USB cable.
The cable has strong isolation between the power and data lines. A large, tuned ferrite ring mid-way between the connectors provides passive filtering. The cable takes quite a while to break in.
Listening to My System
One of the criticisms of digital versus analog is that the sound lacks body and harmonics. If your digital system has this problem and uses a USB cable, then the Purist Audio Design 30th Anniversary USB cable will really help. Their overall sound is what Harry Pearson used to refer to as “yin”. That’s slightly on the dark side of the tonal balance. They give the music body, power, weight, and monumental scale.
With this cable, my system sounded cohesive and balanced. It did not emphasize any one sound over another. My system also sounded transparent with good resolution. The sound was detailed but not analytical or forward. The treble was smooth and warm but never bright. The bass had good decay, dynamics, slam, and extension.
The system also had a real sense of space and air. The soundstage was remarkable in its cohesiveness. It was wide and deep with plenty of separation, but all within a remarkable wholeness.
Summing Up
Yes, the Purist Audio Design’s 30th Anniversary USB Cable is expensive, but it is a very significant step above the USB cable I had been listening to. As good as this cable is, however, I must admit that with the QUAD ESL 57s I thought the system sounded slightly too dark. Yet it was still much better than I had heard before. I did not hear this extra darkness with the DeVore gibbon Super Nines. My conclusion is that I highly recommend it.
FULL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
do you ever give a price on any equipment or a side by side
We always list price of equipment at the bottom or the review if a price is available. Thanks for asking.