Shunyata Research Alpha Series USB Cable

Description

MY TAKE: One of the best USB cables available. Those who don't believe USB cables make a difference need to hear this cable. - Galen Carol

The Alpha USB and Sigma USB incorporate Caelin's design advances in conductor science, noise-shielding, dielectric quality and use our own hand-applied custom-manufactured connectors. The new Alpha and Sigma USB cables represent the best example of improved performance by lowering noise and distortion in the digital cable realm. This is significant considering Sigma Signal cables won Product of the Year award from TAS for 2018. Seriously, the new Alpha and Sigma USB Cables represent our best work yet.

Digital signal and USB cables possess extreme sensitivity to proximal noise because of the environment they are applied within. The Alpha USB possesses a uniquely applied 100% coverage silver-mesh shielding to minimize exposure to radiation from nearby noise sources. Due to the high-speed nature of the digital signal, the Alpha conductors and termination junctions are perhaps the most critical aspect of any digital cable design. Caelin Gabriel uses his own proprietary design process called Precision Matched Z conductors which eliminate conductor incongruities that would otherwise distort high-speed signal transfer. To finish the Alpha USB design, custom-manufactured connectors are hand-applied using an alloy developed to eliminate junction related distortions inherent in all standard USB cable designs. The performance gain from these material refinements makes the Alpha USB the first choice for performance anywhere near its value-oriented price.

Technology:

KPIP™ (‌‌Kinetic Phase Inversion Process) was developed by Caelin Gabriel after years of research into the underlying causes of various effects such as burn-in, wire directionality and the effects of cryogentic treatment. He discovered that there was an underlying core principle that burn-in and cryogenics only “partially” addressed. Once the governing principle was understood it became possible to create a processing technique and machine that could virtually eliminate the need for burn-in and cryogenic treatment.
 

Shunyata Research digital cables are produced using a ‌Precision Matched Z (‌‌PMZ) concept. This means that tolerances of the conductor surface, dielectric extrusion, and the precision of the braided shield are held to minute variances. To achieve these tight tolerances, the extrusion and braiding machines must be run at one-quarter speed during the manufacturing process. The result is better performance through a reduction of cable-induced ‘signal jitter’. (Note: Z means impedance)
 

REVIEWS:

HiFi+: "Plugged between a MacBook Pro and an APL DSD-S DAC, the change was remarkable. This excellent DAC had a jump in performance. Sounds that were already extremely open and natural sounding became that bit more natural and open sounding. The timing of this good, but sometimes perhaps a little laid-back DAC snapped into greater focus, the already quiet DAC just got that bit more chilled out in background noise resolution. Using it with the Melco N10 also made a big difference, but one that is relatively minor next to the huge change it makes when with off-the-shelf computer.

"Those who hold out against USB-based audio because think it unfit for purpose. The Shunyata Research Alpha USB cable represents the last time that argument can be made with any validity. Put simply, it makes USB sound better!" - Alan Sircom

Read the full review

SPECIFICATIONS:

- USB A to B 
- 90 ohm PMZ
- Precision Matched Impedance 
- CCC Silver Conductors 
- FEP Dielectrics 
- Silver Braided Shield