Description
Finally a USB cable worthy enough to be inaugurated into the Star Series. This is the first without having a branded connectors but after the long period of prototyping has paid off, the remarkable improvement over all the other USB cables QA is offering elevated the quality rightfully to be a Star Series model.
Isolated rail of a USB is when the data lines are separated from the power lines. This allows the data bits to be transmitted individually without any possible interference from the power lines, at some point presumably they could be noisy and affected the fidelity of USB audio.
A well-shielded cable can minimise the unwanted effect of noise. But if one could have the power lines handled by a separate cable that has even better shielding, we find that it is a justifiable and additional benefit.
Our isolated USB cable here has long been available and was a popular choice amongst some customers who believed in isolation of USB cables. The power rail was managed by a thinner coaxial cable while the data lines were served by the Gotham GAC-2 V1 balanced cable. It is a really clean and transparent cable.
We knew there is potential to get it upgraded further. And that brought us to using the Gotham GCA-2 Ultra Pro and GAC-1 Ultra Pro, which over the years have been the best cables from Gotham in doing what they do best – providing excellent shielding and quiet background for a big open sound.
The individually shielded conductor of GAC-2 Ultra Pro has been hailed many times. This inherent quality shines again in their role as the conductors to carry the data bits for the USB. Coupled with the high purity of copper in Gotham cables, the sound is exactly what we can expect, quiet and huge.
The GAC-1 Ultra Pro has been a capable and much-heralded cable for use in DC applications other than being used as a single-ended RCA interconnect. The coaxial nature of the cable – where the centre conductor is being surrounded by the shield – is probably one of the best structure of a cable for transmission in both single ended signal and DC current. Transferring the plus point of it being a great DC cable into the USB power line application makes a lot of sense and is a natural progession that works.
Before anyone asks why was coaxial cable of the Star Series DC cable not used in this construction, it was because the cable is less flexible than the GAC-1 Ultra Pro. The combination of one cable on top of the thick GAC-2 Ultra Pro is hefty enough, so the last thing we need is to have a rigid cable restricting the usability of the cable.
The effects of the Star Series USB cable will be immediately apparent. It will be hard-pressed not to find the sounds being expanded in all the 3 dimensions allowing tiny bit of details to come through while at the same time sounding full and natural. USB audio can never sound the same as analogue sources, but with our Star Series USB cable, that distance is bridging closer and digital music will have a new level of enjoyment.
Meticulously hand sleeved with black-silver PET and PP cotton for both strength and flexibility. Each cable is hand-crafted in Singapore with highest quality and aesthetic in mind. Sleeve colour change can be requested at no additional cost subjected to availability. All parts used in STAR SERIES are guaranteed to be truly authentic.
Made to order only in 12-14 days. Comes with extended 2-year warranty from QA.
Fabio (verified owner) –
I’m already quite familiar with Jordan’s products and have personally tested several of them. A little about myself: I’m an audiophile who has tested a great many cables and devices. That’s why I’m able to form a well founded opinion on how this USB cable performs.
Actually, I didn’t need an alternative. I already had my Final Touch, and anyone familiar with it knows it’s one of the best sounding USB cables under 1,000 euros. Since Jordan has never disappointed me with any of his products, I told him he really had to send me this USB cable. And I knew it would be good, but WOW.
First of all, the build quality is simply world class. This is the kind of quality I usually expect from USB cables in the 1,000 euro range and above. It’s a small work of art, completely handcrafted and thought through down to the smallest detail.
Of course, I thought to myself that looks alone don’t mean much. So I connected the cable to my system and let it break in first. After 5 days, I slowly started listening more seriously and was simply amazed.
I was a little worried that, based on its description, the cable might lean toward the analytical side and that I might lose the musical flow of my Final Touch.
That concern turned out to be completely unfounded. This cable sounds incredibly musical, fluid, and above all, very transparent.
The cable has everything you could possibly want and more. It sounds extremely natural, with a huge soundstage and excellent layering of the instruments.
What’s more, and this is truly rare, is its incredible fluidity and musicality. Here, precision and musicality come together in a combination that is very hard to find, especially in this price range.
I’m absolutely thrilled and have already almost forgotten about my Final Touch. For me, the Quartz Acoustic USB cable simply blows it out of the water.