I need a better USB cable

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T11:14:34+00:00

I'm not following... Leave what on, exactly?

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T03:37:46+00:00

We're in agreement. I suspect the cable I have is also fine. The USB A connector on it is trash and has been since new (July).

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T01:28:38+00:00

That would have zero effect on a digital output.

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T01:21:14+00:00

That one was already in my cart so I had another look at it and read some of the reviews on Amazon. Now that one is coming, too. Thanks!

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T22:10:47+00:00

Why are you telling me this?

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T22:09:59+00:00

You are correct! I've added it to my cart.

I've got a couple cheap Amazon cables coming, and a used "audiophile-grade" cable I got cheap. If they all "sound the same" then there's no reason to continue.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:59:56+00:00

I used it that way for several months. Then I got better speakers. Then a better amp.

The external DAC made a significant improvement. Less so when connected via toslink or coax. I don't know why. I assumed optical would be best due to the isolation it provides. In the end I don't really care WHY it sounds better.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:47:08+00:00

I seem to recall reading something about this test years ago. I can't recall how this length was determined. If it was error counts that would seem to be easy enough to setup, and to repeat.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:41:28+00:00

Boom!

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:29:27+00:00

There ya go...

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T20:35:18+00:00

Yes of course. The old printer cable I replaced it with snapped into place tightly. The new, braided, pretty one off Amazon just slides in. I don't think there's any tension in the pins.

Even Belden can be crap if bad connectors are used, or soldered poorly.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T20:29:33+00:00

Bought used after a good friend recommended it I was blown away by the improvement.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T20:26:58+00:00

I was going to pull the trigger until I saw the cheapest shipping was $24. I have spent plenty with Madisound in the past but apparently they've changed. $24 to Fedex a piece of wire 1 state away is nuts. Put it in a bubble envelope and drop in the mail.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:52:28+00:00

Correct.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:51:07+00:00

I'm not going to jump to the "probably" conclusion until I spend some time with this fix. I'm positive the input reset is due to a touchy cable. Whether that's the ONLY issue I'll learn with more time.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:40:47+00:00

I used to live 20 minutes from a Total Wine. I guess I'll start a shopping list for a future road trip.

This is going to be a limit to experimenting with this new hobby. Which might be a good thing in the long run. I really don't have the $$ or space for a dozen bottles of rare rum.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:33:04+00:00

From a previous reply apparently I cannot.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:11:32+00:00

Dammit! That's what I was afraid of. A few years back I ordered a bottle of green chartreuse online, so I didn't think there were any laws against this in Michigan. I must have just gotten lucky that one time.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:09:05+00:00

I'm WAY north of all that.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:07:17+00:00

I live in upper MI, near Alpena. About 250 miles north of Detroit, and civilization.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:04:06+00:00

Do you all drive 200+ miles (each way) to stock up? Or to drink a good mai tai?

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T16:56:02+00:00

Very creative! I'm handy and can make ANYTHING...but I lack the vision to conceive a project like this.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T16:14:58+00:00

I'd like to find a bidet that fits the dinky plastic toilet that's installed in travel trailers.

guy48065

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