Question 1

Can someone explain how this could possibly make better audio?  USB is high frequency digital and has nothing to do with audio quality!

Accepted Answer

As you say, it's a digital signal. So by and large it won't.

Really poor quality cables can cause all manner of problems. An ordinary "top quality" (eg, $20-30 for 10') USB cable with good shielding and construction will help in a high-RF-noise environment by reducing error rates. In marginal conditions, ferrite chokes (beads) can further reduce error rates and can also suppress conducted 60Hz hum traveling between devices on the surface of the cable shielding. Assuming you have low error rates and no hum to begin with, neither a more expensive cable nor chokes will make the slightest difference to the signal you receive.

If you do have a problem with error rates (eg, due to magnetics or RF, say if you operate near inductive loads like large motors, or on a powerline shared by inductive loads or switching power supplies), those errors could indeed show up as audio artifacts. However, the correct fix for that is simple: proper grounding and routing (try separating signal and AC power cables) and good shielding. In a very RF-noisy environment, or if there's obvious 60Hz hum, try a cable with ferrite chokes. Reasonable high-quality cables will suffice. "Audiophile" cables add nothing further. This cable doesn't even have chokes for that matter.

Question 2

Whats tge difference between this and the usb Pearl cable?

Accepted Answer

The quick answer is that the AQ 'Forest' level is entry level.  When I started out as a audiophile all I purchased was the Forest line.  I'm running several high-end stereos in my house.  The higher up the AQ line of products the wiring, shielding, and quality gets better.  About a year ago I tried Pangea connectors, love them, they work flawlessly and IMHO sound better than the box of Forest cables I'm not using anymore.  Pangea also has several levels of quality. Personally, I like the 'Pangea SE' line and it is within my budget.  Both Audio Quest and Pangea products are sold by Amazon.com.

Question 3

is this cable USB 2.0 or 3.0

Accepted Answer

this is USB 2.0 A/B - check wikipedia for "usb connectors" for more info. That said you can save yourself a bunch of cash by going C2G or ANker

Question 4

Will you ship to New Zealand? I cant seem to get one of these cables anywhere else.

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, due to contractual restrictions with Audioquest, we are not authorized to ship their products outside of the US. Sorry about that.

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AudioQuest0.75 m Forest USB-A > B High-Definition Audio Cable

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