Best Digital Interconnects Under $1,000

Despite being ridiculously inexpensive, this cable was AT’s reference for nearly two years. Though no longer the best USB cable available, in sonic and musical terms it continues to outperform and embarrass many alternatives, regardless of price. AT, 226

This well-made, great-sounding USB cable is a relative bargain, delivering outstanding dynamics, timbral fidelity, and transparency. AT, 226

The inexpensive Forest is a worthy upgrade over generic Ethernet cables, delivering greater space and dimensionality, smoother timbres, and wider dynamics. RH, 240

One of the go-to USB cables for computer-audio fans, the Carbon is neutral without sounding bleached, dynamic without sounding piercing, detailed without sounding analytical. AT, 226

The Crimson USB nails the midrange of the musical spectrum with fullness of body, warmth, transient speed, and an overall honesty that calms and relaxes the ear. Its light touch with difficult-to-capture vocal sibilance was excellent. A terrific upgrade cable (a standard-setter in this range) for nascent and skilled computer-audio fans alike. NG, 254

Wireworld’s Cat8 Ethernet cable is designed to propel data at up to 40 gigabit speeds. Starlight exhibited an ease and a lack of tension, plus a heightening of inner detail. With Starlight single note lines or heavily orchestrated sections sang with the clarity and focus of a Zeiss lens—no smear, no smudge. On the transient level, Starlight sharpened the attack off a piano keyboard, and sustained harmonic energy just a little while longer. Did it leave any performance on the table? Well, there is Wireworld Platinum. NG, 283

This reasonably priced digital cable offers a host of virtues, including high transparency to the source, spacious soundstaging, a treble that is open and detailed without sounding analytical, and wide dynamics.

Nordost’s mid-line Heimdall 2 USB cable is capable of detail, body, texture, and spatial resolution. The Heimdall 2 is also characterized by very low levels of grain, with smooth instrumental and vocal textures. KM, 261

The seemingly minor differences between Wireworld’s Silver and Platinum Starlight models yield a major sonic impact. In AT’s experience, this wire has no peer in soundstage size, airiness, tempo tracking, dynamics, bass pitch, timbral realism, and lack of grain. AT, 226

This USB cable is simply revelatory in its combination of ease and refinement on one hand, and resolution and transparency on the other. Although capable of resolving the finest detail, Diamond USB has a relaxed quality that fosters deep musical involvement. RH, 221

This USB cable is simply sensational in every way. The studio ONE USB’s clarity, dimensionality, and gorgeous timbre put it in a class by itself. It seems to have no signature of its own, but rather more transparently conveys what’s coming from your computer. The dual-cable design separates the signal-carrying and power-carrying conductors. RH, 254 (formerly Au24 SE+ USB)

Designed for top-flight network-streaming rigs, the Platinum registered as a significant step up from Wireworld’s Starlight 8. The Platinum, which boasts OCC-7N solid-silver conductors, improved network performance by instilling a sense of musical fluidity, ease, and continuousness in each performance. It also added that final dollop of resolution that you might not have known was missing. NG