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How to shorten USB Cable Run

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Posted on August 13, 2014 at 11:47:53
Brody
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Location: Virginia
Joined: July 9, 2008
 Due to the location of my computer in realtion to my DAC, I need to run a very long USB connection from the PC in my study to the DAC (in the listening room (@ 18 feet). I cannot imagine this is ideal, but to get s shorter USB run I would need to locate my PC and HDDs in the room where the audio system is (along with all their attendant noise). I'm looking for a better solution so I can run a much shorter USB cable. Would it be better to go to a NAS placed nearer to the DAC, or are those things just as noisy? What about leaving the NAS in my office and running ethernet to a dedicated streaming device located near the DAC (like a Mac mini or something cheaper)? Any ideas welcome.

 

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RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run-Consider, posted on August 13, 2014 at 12:28:50
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 fanless PC

 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run, posted on August 13, 2014 at 13:22:40
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Why not move your DAC closer to your computer and run longer interconnects from DAC to preamp? That's what I would do because I have a fully balanced system anyway, but at the distances you are talking about you could use an 8-ft USB cable and 10-ft interconnects without problems.

Good luck,
John Elison

 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run, posted on August 13, 2014 at 16:58:24
Brody
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Location: Virginia
Joined: July 9, 2008
 Good idea, something to consider if my wife will let me re-arrange the room.

 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run-Consider, posted on August 13, 2014 at 16:59:33
Brody
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Location: Virginia
Joined: July 9, 2008
 Thanks. Would there be an advantage to this over a Mac Mini?

 

Consider using a laptop...., posted on August 13, 2014 at 20:18:24
StephenJK
 No fan noise and easy to install, hide or move around. But then you might need a remote control as well.

 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run, posted on August 13, 2014 at 20:50:18
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46295
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 I'm sure there are many possible solutions but a noisy PC and noisy disks are not the norm.

I'm using a Mac Mini right next to my DAC, and DAC right next to my amp. I have a solid-state disk and a spinning disk (5400rpm 2.5") in the Mini. While the Mini has a small quiet fan, it never comes on while playing music. Playing music takes very little resources that might heat up the computer. The entire setup is very quiet.

I use the portable iPad as a controller but wireless bluetooth keyboard and mouse work great too.... as does my iPhone.

For illustration purposes, iPad, iPhone, keyboard and mouse are all in the photo below. The Keyboard & Mouse would normally be stored away unless I needed them for some system maintenance. The iPhone is usually in my pocket where ever I happen to be. The iPad is usually at my desk across the room for controlling the Mac Mini.

Office Mac Mini setup, PS Audio DAC, bluetooth keyboard + mouse, iPad, iPhone, Sony Integrated Amp



 

RE: Consider using a laptop...., posted on August 13, 2014 at 21:08:07
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46295
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Most laptops do in fact have fans, some quieter than others. Some laptop fans can become rather loud but playing music is generally not very taxing so I would expect the fan to be off or running very slow while playing music.

My MacBook Pro has a fan. It comes on if I'm transcoding video or doing some other resource heavy task. But the fan never comes on while playing music. Same for my Mac Mini.


 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run-Consider, posted on August 13, 2014 at 22:07:25
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 Advantage? I think it all depends on the system setup. I don't use a Mini anything because of fans, difficulty in altering system components and isolating them from each other, relative flexibility in process minimalisation to improve audio etc.

Go to Computer Audiophile and there are many examples of the choice of hardware and software for fanless PCs (and some MACs) for improvements in sound quality. There is a thread on this forum on MAC v Win & Linux systems. (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/why-apple-21398/)

 

I use a 15 ft USB cable with no issues, posted on August 14, 2014 at 12:01:13
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8489
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 I have a MacBook Pro connected to my DAC via a 15 ft USB cable. I compared the sound to a 3 ft run when I set the system up and heard no difference. I also asked the designer/manufacturer of my previous DAC, if he thought USB cable length was an issue and he did not.

This set up allows me to sit in my listening position and have my laptop and HDD in my lap. I also use my Iphone with remote app to control the music when I do not want to sit with my laptop.

I encourage you to experiment with different lengths of USB cable and decide for yourself. It is easy to set up the test and swapping USB cables is quick enough to compare.
Gsquared

 

RE: I use a 15 ft USB cable with no issues, posted on August 14, 2014 at 12:54:26
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46295
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 In one of my setups I ran a 12-foot USB cable from DAC to iMac with no issues.


 

RE: I use a 15 ft USB cable with no issues, posted on August 14, 2014 at 16:35:36
Brody
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Location: Virginia
Joined: July 9, 2008
 This is reassuring--thanks.

 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run, posted on August 14, 2014 at 18:44:20
Recorder
Audiophile

Posts: 311
Location: Washington DC
Joined: November 1, 2007
 I use a Mac Mini with SSD and cannot detect any noise from the computer, so it sits on my rack with the rest of my equipment. However, my 3 TB external firewire hard drive where I store my music files, is quite noisy (due to the IcyDock Breeze enclosure). I solved this problem by putting the hard drive on a shelf in a closet and running a 12 or 16 foot firewire cable out to the Mac Mini. Everything is extremely quiet with the closet door closed.

For longer firewire cable runs, I have used a firewire repeater with good results.

Cheers,
Bill

 

I'm using a 16 footer with my Marantz NA7004..., posted on August 15, 2014 at 07:51:17
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001

Just for streaming QOBUZ Lossless FLAC, as there is no other way to get it into the 44.1 stream into the listening room except for QOBUZ's player app on a laptop.

Not exactly Audiophile Approved at $7.49.

How would it compare to the $88.75 AudioQuest Forest 5m (15.5 ft.) Digital Audio USB Cable linked below? I can't say, but if I were a TRUE Audiophile, I guess that's a choice I'd have to make.

http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Forest-Digital-Audio-Cable/dp/B004H1P60W/ref=sr_1_13?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1408114218&sr=1-13&keywords=Audioquest+USB


Link to the cheap ($7.49) cable is below: Take your pick.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

I use a 15' USB from a Win 7 computer with no issues, posted on August 15, 2014 at 08:42:14
Feanor
Audiophile

Posts: 9868
Location: London, Ontario
Joined: June 17, 2003
Contributor
  Since: March 12, 2004
 I upgrade to Pangea USB cable with silver-plated OFC wire but I can detect no difference from standard USB cable.



Dmitri Shostakovich

 

RE: I use a 15 ft USB cable with no issues, posted on August 15, 2014 at 14:05:54
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 No problems do not mean best sound.

First, fans feed noise back into your audio chain. Vibrations that cannot be heard also affect other components, particularly ceramic capacitors and other circuit components that are piezoelectric. Second, long usb cables are error prone and do not have the best signal integrity.

 

RE: I use a 15 ft USB cable with no issues, posted on August 16, 2014 at 23:05:52
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46295
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Just be careful because a gnat could fart on that extra long cable and create a standing wave resonance that could turn it into an out of control jump rope in your listening room.

 

RE: How to shorten USB Cable Run, posted on August 19, 2014 at 19:22:31
niws
Audiophile

Posts: 790
Location: Northeast
Joined: September 4, 2003
 I use a 3ft USB cable to a Musical Fidelity V-Link192 to a 25ft coaxial cable and it sounds very good.

 

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