Audioquest Carbon USB Cable
One of the most significant developments in digital music reproduction over 
the past few years has been the growing use of MAC and PC computers as music servers. While you can use the internal DAC (digital to analog converter) in your computer, substantially better performance is available by using an external DAC. The connection from computer to DAC is made via a USB cable. USB cables benefit from the use of superior metal, cable geometry and insulation in the same manner as other high speed digital cables (like HDMI, Coax and AES/ EBU balanced). In addition, the advantage of using solid core conductors is clearly heard on all of these cables, including USB.
The USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard was originally created as a communication link between various peripheral devices (external hard drives and personal media players) and a controller such as a personal computer. A USB cable includes a pair of signal conductors and a pair of conductors for powering peripheral devices.
Because USB 2.0 transfers signals at speeds up to 480 Mbits per second, the advantage of using superior cable construction and materials is extremely critical in order to prevent the uncorrectable corruption of audio data. Eliminating interference from power conductors is also essential.
AudioQuest USB cables provide a substantial audible improvement over “standard” USB cables. Don’t shortchange the performance of the growing number of excellent USB DACs by using the free-in-the-box USB cable that came with the DAC.
Designed to get the most out of Mac or PC based audio, AudioQuest USB cables combine superior metals, cable geometry & insulation. By eliminating interference from the USB power conductors, these elements prevent the uncorrectable corruption of audio data along the signal conductors.
SOLID CONDUCTORS
All of Carbon USB’s conductors are solid. Electrical and magnetic interaction between strands in a conventional cable is the greatest source of distortion, often causing a somewhat dirty, harsh sound. Solid conductors are the most important ingredient enabling Carbon USB’s very clear sound.
SILVER-PLATED COPPER (SPC)
Silver-Plated Copper (SPC) always provides superior performance for video and digital audio. Normal 1.25% silver-plate greatly improves high frequency performance for a fraction of the cost of solid silver. Carbon USB's 5% silver conductor is much closer to all silver, still for a fraction of the cost.
Features:
- Low jitter, low distortion audio.
- Signal conductors controlled for digital audio direction.
Technical Data:
- Metal: solid 5% silver
- Dielectric: solid polyethylene
- Jacket: black/gray braid
