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"Improved" Level 3.3 Digital USB Interconnect
We recently move all three of our top level digital cables (USB, RCA-SPDIF, and XLR-AES/EBU), up to the dot.3 Level. We applied what we learned during our 2 year development cycle of our Level 3.1 USB Digital cable to both the RCA-SPDIF and the XLR-AES/EBU cables. The new wire topology better holds the proper characteristic impedance from end to end. The results are 100% positive. They both moved from dot.2 to dot.3.
As for the former Level 3.1 USB cable, it was so good that there was not much that could be done for improvements, but we did like the idea of making the +5V wire heavier gauge. The dot.3 version has the +5V wire doubling in size which helps sonically with the occasional DAC that actually uses the 5 volts for power. The heavier gauge wire is also better behaved in that it is less likely to get kinked.
Not seemingly enough improvement to justify jumping the USB cables from dot.1 to dot.3, but we went to dot.3 so that all three top level digital cables are at the same version, since they all represent our latest and best topology.
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Highlights:
- Introductory priced
- Standard USB type-A to USB type-B plugs
- ACElectrum™ Silver/Gold alloy signal wire
- "Heavier" 5 volt wire is separate from shielded Data pair (not shown in photo)
- Outperforms the highly acclaimed Light Harmonics "Lightspeed USB Cable" at 1/5 the price
- Easily outperforms the $2,000 Synergistic Research USB cable at about 1/8th the price
- 30 day risk free trial
- Made in USA (one at a time in Lake Elmo MN)
- Optional "Y" configuration to bring +5V power from a separate USB Type A connection
Introduction:
The unique design of this USB cord will bring you better sounding music than competitive cables that cost many times more. This cable has the ability to make your system sound more like real music and less like a digital source then cables priced as high as in the $1,000 to $2,000 range. We can safely say this, because we have done the comparisons.
The USB 2 Standard:
The USB 2 standard calls for a 5 volt DC power connection. This is so the "Host" (your computer) has the ability to power or charge-up whatever device the USB cord plugs into. This feature is extremely useful for devices such as a USB Flash Drive, so an extra power adapter is not necessary. Yet the 5 volt DC connection is problematic for what needs to be achieved for best sound.
The Key to Good Digital Sound:
Jitter free perfect timing is the Holy Grail of digital audio and a huge reason why digital components and cables can sound so different. A computer's 5 volt power supply is filled with noise. Within a typical USB cord, this noisy 5 volt DC supply signal passes through a wire that runs along the entire length of the cord. The computer's noise is induced into the data wires which introduces timing errors that jitters the streaming digital signal, causing digital distortion. Jittered digital data is what causes music to sound hard and flat. It causes a loss of pitch definition, a loss of dynamics, a loss of sound stage depth. Jitter blurs the bass and makes cymbals sound like spray cans. Timing errors are our enemy.
Dealing with the Noisy Computer Power:
We originally offered our USB cord simply without the 5 volt wire, but we found many powered DACs are still requiring the 5 volt wire to operate. Either the USB chip set is running on the computer's 5v power (which does not make good design sense to us), or the circuitry want to see the 5 volts just to confirm the USB connection has been made. Because of this, we added a very small 5 volt wire (not shown in photo) that runs external to the shielded data pair. We have found that because it is far enough away from the data pair, it causes no sonic impact. Problem solved.
Other Design Considerations:
Like all other ANTICABLES products, only the necessary parts and materials needed are used. The cord is free of thick plastic jacketing to eliminate as much Dielectric Effect Distortion as possible. The data pair is ANTICABLES' excellent sounding ACElectrum™ Silver/Gold alloy wire which is configured to hold the ideal 90 Ohm Characteristic Impedance for USB data. The ACElectrum™ wire provides the extension and resolution of solid Silver wire, but without the bright and forwardness that always comes with pure Silver. Highs are highly detailed yet remain soft like real music.
What about USB 3?
We do not offer a USB 3 cable, and at this time, we do not have plans on developing one. This helps explain part of the reason why:
https://support.focusrite.com/
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Reviewer Dave Clark of Positive Feedback said:
"The ANTICABLES (USB Cord) is open and dynamic, clean and articulate. The music comes through with a wonderful sense of flow. It does tend to be a bit more robust and perhaps darker through the midrange than others here in house, though I feel that might be related more to the bass presentation being big and ballsy (or perhaps the use of gold)."
"You get all the little things—air and ambiance—and lots of the bigger things, like atmosphere and space. Lots of separation and there thereness. The high end is all there though perhaps the overall presentation is a wee bit more forward in relation to the speakers when compared to other USB cables here in house… though I guess one could argue that perhaps those are a wee bit laid-back? Even so, the ANTICABLES USB was never fatiguing or over the top. Stellar soundstage too."
"The ANTICABLES USB is highly recommended. Sweet indeed… I found myself listening more to the music than what the cable was doing to the music. Which is what it is all about anyways."
You can read the entire review here: Positive Feedback / Issue 89
A few Real Testimonials:
"Thanks for the awesome "Christmas present"! I spent most of the night listening to my stereo with my wife and it was magic… really magic! I’ve spent a lot of money buying expensive components, cables and sound treatments for the listening room. Who knew that by just replacing a USB chord the whole room would come to life. The soundstage is bigger, the music is more focused and airy. Like I said , Magic!"
"You made an awesome product. We hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Sincerely,"
Scott Morgan, Portugal
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"Thank you so much! Your (Level 3.1 USB) cables are awesome! My friends Sam and Jason also love your products, and we will continue to spread the word for you. I am currently running your Level 3.1 USB, Level 6.2 ICs, and level 3 speaker Wires. Excellent stuff! Thanks & Best Regards,"
Roger Chiu, TX
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"Roger Chiu is my cousin and he recently purchased a USB cable from you with great price. We tried it on my system and it sounded fantastic! Roger is a big fan of yours and he has got me and my friend Sam on hook with your products."
"I recently bought a pair of level 3 speaker cables from you to upgrade my existing level 1 speaker cables. We all use your interconnects for our systems. I'm looking to buy a USB cable... Thanks!"
Jason Jue, TX
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"The Level 5.2 RCA interconnects I bought from you, as well as the new Level 3.1 USB-cable, I am really happy about. They make everything sound so open and natural sounding. I also detected a substantial improvement in the bass response."
Orkunt Dalgic, NY
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"Just wanted to pass on that these are by far the best cables I've ever used (my 1st order was for a Level 3.1 USB cord and pair of Level 3 speaker wires), and have now just ordered the Level 4.1 Shadow XLR interconnects and another USB cord... They smoked some much more pricier cables which I will be promptly selling."
Doug McAlpine, UK
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"I compared it (the Level 3.1 Reference USB cord), against my other cable which is Transparent Premium USB cable ($600)."
"Your cable outshined the $600 one on jazz and classical repertoire, especially when the loudness is set higher. Your cable consistently delivered better and wider soundstage, and absolutely won in lower frequencies, especially with faster notes with bass instruments, and more natural rendering of the drums."
"Your cable is neutral, while Transparent adds some sweetness, which some people prefer, but I don't."
"Your cable renders approximately the same amount of details, but your cables's presentation is still smooth, while the Transparent's details are a tad harsh."
"Overall, it's unforgettable sound it creates. Thanks,"
Alex Garkusha, NY
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"Right out, it has much more sparkle and overall clarity (Level 3.1 USB cord). Voices are excellent. My wife is concerned with the low end, which I feel is there, but now competes with the rest of the musical range."
Don Harn, GA
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"I received my USB A/B cable yesterday. Wow it was fantastic right out of the gate. My question is does this type of cable require a break in period such as the RCA and speaker cables etc..etc.. In other words will this cable sound better after 100+ hours?"
"Nice job as mentioned above it sounded great right out of the box! Thanks!"
Mike Tobin, NH
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Mike,
Good to hear from you. Please allow about 150 hours of break-in before they start sounding as they should. This can be achieved by setting your music player to continuously play music and let it run for a week. Since interconnects carry such a small low current music signal, it is possible to hear some additional improvements for up to 500 hours of use. Keep in touch...
Thanks!
🙂
Paul
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"Excellent news it’s hard to imagine this cable getting better, needless to say I’m looking forward to it. The low end is incredible. Lots of ambiance as well; what I mean is back ground sounds on different recordings that I had not noticed before."
"BTW FLAC streaming on TIDAL is fantastic Hi-Fi sound."
Mike Tobin, NH______________________________________
"I retrieved the Level 3.1 USB cable with 5V wire from Leslie after our event last Saturday and have been using it with my Luxman DA-06 this week. I am VERY pleased with it. We used it with all of our DACs at the audio club event, to keep a level playing field. Regards,"
Dan Rubin, San Francisco Audiophile Society
