Introduction
Rob Woodland has had another go at USB cables - four years after the launch of the original Curious USB Cable, he has released the Curious Evolved USB Cable.
My original review of the Curious USB Cable can be found here. The premium model costs USD 550 for a 0.8 m length, compared to USD 350 for the original model. All prices include worldwide shipping.
According to Rob, "The Curious Evolved is the best we can do, and will benefit audiophiles who want the maximum performance from the computer based Audio system."
Description
Physically, the Curious Evolved has a close resemblance to the original model. The power line runs externally, and a blue heat-shrink with the model name is the clearest distinguishing mark between the two. The cable has decent flexibility and should have no issues being routed in most systems.
My set-up has changed significantly since the review of the original Curious cable. My computer audio setup consists of a Melco N1-ZH/2 audiophile NAS, paired with a Weiss INT-204 USB/SPDIF bridge. For the purposes of this review, I swapped this with a Synology DS-214play NAS and an SoTM SMS-200 Ultra streamer. This allowed me to place the streamer box much closer to my DAC, and to use the Curious Evolved without any strain being placed on the cable. I also compared the Curious Evolved with a number of USB cables I had on hand, most of which are considerably more expensive than the Curious Evolved.
Sound Quality
The original Curious Cable is in my view a cable that addresses many common weaknesses in digital playback :- a lack of dynamics and a flat and un-involving sound. The Curious Evolved on the other hand is destined for the very best of setups - it simply lets digital gear perform at it’s very best.
Tonally, the Curious Evolved is very close to neutral, with the slightest hint of sweetness and a subtle softness to the leading edge of notes. Make no mistake though, this is not a weak and insipid sounding cable. Music is presented with high dynamic contrast, with good saturation and impactful low frequencies. It takes less artistic licence compared to the original Curious Cable, and bass lines are as powerful, or as subtle as captured on the recording. This neutrality is applied throughout the rest of the frequencies, with a very coherent and even presentation.
By absolute standards, high frequencies do not extend as far as the very best in class, although treble is clean and clear as a whistle. Soundstaging is accurate, with appropriate width and depth. The Curious Evolved casts a noticeably deeper stage compared to the original Curious Cable that projects the stage forward.
Where the Curious Evolved really leaves it’s predecessor in the dust is resolving power and refinement. It unearths micro-detail and expressiveness in a way that eludes the original Curious Cable and presents it with class-leading power and grace. The real kicker in the equation is price - the Curious Cable is able to bring this all to the table without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
If you liked the original Curious Cable and want to move up to the next level, this is the cable for you. If you are looking for a reference standard USB cable, this is a serious contender to consider, with excellent value too. Well done Rob !
Curious Cables
http://www.curiouscables.com
Showing posts with label Curious Cables. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curious Cables. Show all posts
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Friday, September 11, 2015
Curious Cables - USB Cable
Introduction
Curious Cables is a new Australian audiophile cable company. However, founder Rob Woodland was previously manufacturer of the well known bullet plug, under licence from Keith Eichmann.
The USB cable under review took 12 months of development time and involved extensive experimentation and listening tests.
Description
The Curious USB Cable is a flexible cable with a large sleeved conductor carrying the USB data lines, while a thin orange cable running externally handles the 5V power line. Construction is strudy and should stand up to trouble free ownership over the long term.
Rob has put up a short video that talks about "dimension"
Sound Quality
This cable needs a fair amount of run-in to sound it's best. I put in approximately 250 hours on this cable, with at least 50 hours of playback time before the cable settled down.
To evaluate how the Curious Cable performed over a variety of equipment, I tried it in my main setup connecting my Auralic Aries streamer to a Calyx Femto DAC. It also did short stints in two other computer based setups, a PC / Foobar setup connected to a Resonessence Herus DAC / headamp, and a Mac / Puremusic setup connected to a Audio-Gd NFB 10 DAC / headamp.
Rob definitely hit the nail on the head - this cable has "dimension" in spades. In fact, it does not sound quite like any other USB cable that I've heard.
In my view, it brings many of the key strengths of vinyl to the table - bass impact, fluidity, a lack of grain, and the ability for vocals and instruments to fill out acoustic space like the real thing. Wait a minute ? Isn't that exactly what Rob said in his video ?
The Curious Cable cast a very wide and deep soundstage, easily more so than any other USB cable in my arsenal. This made my system sound "bigger" than usual, with orchestral works sounding particular grand in scale.
Low frequencies were also delivered with slam, heft and the right amount of bloom. I felt that there was a slight mid-bass emphasis, which gave music a richer tonality.
Midrange was smooth and relaxing, with a grain-free and liquid presentation. Interestingly, despite the easy going midrange balance, it had a subtle degree of projection and presence, making the vocalist appear a few rows closer compared to the rest of the instruments.
The high frequencies were clearly reproduced, with good detail and a very good reproduction of air and acoustic space. I found the presentation here to be gentle, natural and very easy to listen to in the long-run.
Interestingly, the bass impact was quite pronounced on my PC / Resonessence Herus setup. I usually listen at my desktop with Beyer DT-880 headphones which are a bit lean and bass light. The Curious Cable was a perfect match there, filling out the Beyer nicely, and putting some much needed low-end grunt where it was needed most.
We now come to the trump card of the Curious Cable, it's dimensionality. Most cables render instruments and singers in a relatively flat plane. The better ones are able to maintain good separation and placement. However, the Curious Cable is able to add a level of dimensionality such that instruments and vocalists expand and fill out space - very much like the real thing. For example, in the case of a guitar, you not only get a clear picture of the plucking of the strings and finger action on the fretboard, but also the reverb and resonance from the body of the guitar.
Would anyone not like this cable ? Yes, some audiophiles prefer a drier and more analytical approach. Some like to dissect a recording, and to hear exactly what was mastered at the mixing desk. The Curious Cable is unlikely to appeal to that crowd.
Conclusion
This is a great cable ! Love your turntable rig but hate your computer audio setup because it sounds dry, flat and uninvolving ? Curious Cables will have you sorted out in no time.
It is also worth noting that Rob is currently offering the Curious USB Cable with a 30 day money back guarantee, and will even cover return shipping. Pricing is in my view, highly competitive.
Verdict - Highly Recommended.
Curious Cables
http://www.curiouscables.com
0.8 m cable - USD 340
1.0 m cable - USD 380
(Prices include free international shipping)
Curious Cables is a new Australian audiophile cable company. However, founder Rob Woodland was previously manufacturer of the well known bullet plug, under licence from Keith Eichmann.
The USB cable under review took 12 months of development time and involved extensive experimentation and listening tests.
Description
The Curious USB Cable is a flexible cable with a large sleeved conductor carrying the USB data lines, while a thin orange cable running externally handles the 5V power line. Construction is strudy and should stand up to trouble free ownership over the long term.
Rob has put up a short video that talks about "dimension"
Sound Quality
This cable needs a fair amount of run-in to sound it's best. I put in approximately 250 hours on this cable, with at least 50 hours of playback time before the cable settled down.
To evaluate how the Curious Cable performed over a variety of equipment, I tried it in my main setup connecting my Auralic Aries streamer to a Calyx Femto DAC. It also did short stints in two other computer based setups, a PC / Foobar setup connected to a Resonessence Herus DAC / headamp, and a Mac / Puremusic setup connected to a Audio-Gd NFB 10 DAC / headamp.
Rob definitely hit the nail on the head - this cable has "dimension" in spades. In fact, it does not sound quite like any other USB cable that I've heard.
In my view, it brings many of the key strengths of vinyl to the table - bass impact, fluidity, a lack of grain, and the ability for vocals and instruments to fill out acoustic space like the real thing. Wait a minute ? Isn't that exactly what Rob said in his video ?
The Curious Cable cast a very wide and deep soundstage, easily more so than any other USB cable in my arsenal. This made my system sound "bigger" than usual, with orchestral works sounding particular grand in scale.
Low frequencies were also delivered with slam, heft and the right amount of bloom. I felt that there was a slight mid-bass emphasis, which gave music a richer tonality.
Midrange was smooth and relaxing, with a grain-free and liquid presentation. Interestingly, despite the easy going midrange balance, it had a subtle degree of projection and presence, making the vocalist appear a few rows closer compared to the rest of the instruments.
The high frequencies were clearly reproduced, with good detail and a very good reproduction of air and acoustic space. I found the presentation here to be gentle, natural and very easy to listen to in the long-run.
Interestingly, the bass impact was quite pronounced on my PC / Resonessence Herus setup. I usually listen at my desktop with Beyer DT-880 headphones which are a bit lean and bass light. The Curious Cable was a perfect match there, filling out the Beyer nicely, and putting some much needed low-end grunt where it was needed most.
We now come to the trump card of the Curious Cable, it's dimensionality. Most cables render instruments and singers in a relatively flat plane. The better ones are able to maintain good separation and placement. However, the Curious Cable is able to add a level of dimensionality such that instruments and vocalists expand and fill out space - very much like the real thing. For example, in the case of a guitar, you not only get a clear picture of the plucking of the strings and finger action on the fretboard, but also the reverb and resonance from the body of the guitar.
Would anyone not like this cable ? Yes, some audiophiles prefer a drier and more analytical approach. Some like to dissect a recording, and to hear exactly what was mastered at the mixing desk. The Curious Cable is unlikely to appeal to that crowd.
Conclusion
This is a great cable ! Love your turntable rig but hate your computer audio setup because it sounds dry, flat and uninvolving ? Curious Cables will have you sorted out in no time.
It is also worth noting that Rob is currently offering the Curious USB Cable with a 30 day money back guarantee, and will even cover return shipping. Pricing is in my view, highly competitive.
Verdict - Highly Recommended.
Curious Cables
http://www.curiouscables.com
0.8 m cable - USD 340
1.0 m cable - USD 380
(Prices include free international shipping)
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