Music Signal Travels The DD HiFi USB Lines – ddHifi TC09BC USB Type-A to Type-C Cable
ddHiFi TC09BC is a $79 USD USB Cable designed for audio systems, promising to render a better sonic quality and a better, more ergonomic design than other basic cables that your USB DAC/AMPs usually come with.
Introduction
ddHiFi is one of the companies I really still like reviewing products of, even in the entry-level range. This is because they can actually create relevant, fun accessories that music lovers use and can keep using even with high-end systems.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. ddHiFi has provided the sample for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3FZ7P74
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_on6juAq
Build Quality – Design
ddHiFi created the new ddHifi TC09BC Cable as part of their Nyx series of data cables, and given the usually low voltage, low current that travels through those cables, they implemented better shielding for a better sound quality of your system.
ddHifi TC09BC is a lightweight cable, with a weight of 50 grams or less, and there are two versions, a 50cm version useful for stacking, and a 100cm version useful for connecting your PC computer to your DAC / AMP. ddHifi designed the new TC09BC to be flat, and easy to wind around your desk and other objects.
As the USB cable is usually the one part of your system that touches a computer’s case, a desk, and usually goes behind the monitor, and travels along other cables, it is one of the most susceptible to interference components of your system. Happily, ddHiFi designed the Nyx series of data cables with a double shielded parallel structure, to shield the current and data lines separately.
You can actually see which wire transmits what, as the pure silver line is for power transmission while the silver + black part is for data transmission. This new cable line adopts the NUC high precision chemical foam PE made in Japan with a high transparency SoftFlex PVC made in the USA insulation layer, while the cable itself is made of high purity Litz oxygen free copper and litz silver played over LCOFC wire.
This combo should be excellent for both insulation and data transmission. I want to remind everyone who ever doubts the importance of cables that companies like Lidl uses cable risers to avoid interference on their data lines (as pictured by me on a random day I was at the gym and looking out the window on the roof of a lidl shop), and if you ever thought that you cables are good enough, it really depends on the sensitivity of your system, there are systems who are not sensitive at all and systems where cable quality will show itself.
Sound Quality
Pairings – DD HiFi TC09BC is a fairly simple Type-A to Type-C cable and it can be used with virtually any DAC/AMP that has a Type-C input. This includes outliers such as FiiO K17, but also iBasso DC04PRO, SMSL C200 PRO, SMSL C100, LinkPlus Linkstation N1 NAS, Lotoo PAW GT2, iBasso DX340, Dethonray Clarinet, iBasso Nunchaku, and as I like this cable it has been part of my test setup for quite a while now. The only downside I feel is that it is a bit short, so all devices connected to it have to be somewhat close to my computer, at 100 CM, as I usually have 200 CM or longer custom cables for my desktop usage.
Overall Signature – Most users will tell you that a USB Cable should not have a sound, and that’s partially true, as most USB cables can improve the technical performance of a system without changing the tonality and response of the DAC/AMP they are connected to. This is because those USB Cables are not meant nor can they really change how the DAC sounds outside of lowering the interference usually coming from cables that are exposed wires.
On the other hand, some DAC/AMPs are far more sensitive than others to the cable quality, and some will show significant upgrades in the sound quality, quietness of the background and will simply sound better with a good USB cable, a few good examples including iBasso Nunchaku, Fosi Audio MC351, HIFIMAN EF499, KAEI TAP-1 DAC, Burson PlayMate 2, Creative Sound Blaster X5, Dethonray Listening M1, and HIFIMAN EF600.
Devices with batteries inside are usually far less sensitive to source quality, and while DAC/AMPs with tubes are sensitive, those without tubes are less sensitive to cable quality, so beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or sonic difference in the ear of the listener, depending on what DAC/AMP they are using. A few good examples that are not very sensitive to cable quality includes Lotoo PAW GT2, iBasso DX340, FiiO BTR17, and Shanling M1 Plus.
With devices that are not sensitive to cable quality, you will notice minor improvements in sound, like a quieter background, but they are nuanced and fine, while with devices that are sensitive to the USB cable quality, you can notice fairly significant improvements in resolution, clarity and imaging of the sound. This is because small interference for those which are sensitive results in audible distortion which muddies the sound, while a good cable keeps that sound clean, crisp and detailed, with better resolution and detail revealing ability.
Value and Conclusion
With a price tag of 79 USD, ddHifi TC09BC is a mindfully priced USB cable, and even if I didn’t need it for sonics alone, I would purchase it to improve the looks and ergonomics of my setup, the same way keyboard enthusiasts purchase those aviator style cables for keyboards that have no effect on the usage of that keyboard.
At the end of the day, I like what ddHiFi has done with their cables, and I wish they would make a longer version I could use permanently on my system and tuck away next to the other cables. Afterall, the whole point of having such good isolation and cable quality would be to allow me to use those in situations where multiple cables run parallel and where interference is extremely high.
PROs
- Excellent isolation, good interference rejection
- Beautiful design, a bit springy but nice in general
- Works wonders with DACs that are sensitive to cable quality
- Affordable and well-made
- ddHifi’s excellent support
Cons
- Certain DACs don’t show improvements with better cables
- Maximum length is quite short at 100 cm
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3FZ7P74
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_on6juAq
Technical Data
Cable Structure – Power & Signal Starquad with Shielding
Inner Insulation – NUC High Precision Chemical Foam PE (Made in Japan)
Outer Insulation – High Transparency SoftFlex PVC (Made in USA)
Weight/Length – TCO9BA 31g / 50cm, 47g / 100cm; TCO9BC 29g / 50cm, 45g / 100cm
Plug – USB-A / USB-C, USB-B gold plated
Data Part
Core Thickness: 26.7AWG (White) + 26.7AWG (Green)
Core Material: High Purity Litz Pure Silver (2×7/00.14mm)
Shielding Material: Litz Oxygen-Free Copper + Litz Silver Plated over LCOFC
Power Part
Core Thickness: 25.6AWG (Red) x 2 + 25.6AWG (Black) x 2
Core Material: High Purity Litz Oxygen-Free Copper (4x7x7/00.06mm)
Shielding Material: Litz Silver Plated over LCOFC
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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