Ever since I discovered that all USB cables were very different musically, and needed to be selected with maximum care, I have been searching for the top USB wire for my digital server. Among the USB cables that I have tried, I have been most pleased with the WyWire USB, the Kubala-Sosna Emotion USB, and the Kimber Axios USB offerings. These are used in connecting my Tecra Laptop to my E.A.R. DAC 4 for 24/96, 24/192, and DSD music.
Now from a new company comes a top contender at a tiny price...the Unique Innovation Technology PMP USB Cable, at only $530 per meter.
Tiny because—despite its price—it has bested my best reference brands for high definition, lack of fatigue, ultra-low distortion, big soundstaging, superb imaging, and analog-like musical presentation. No, granted, we did not have every brand in the world to compare, and yes, there may be more expensive better cables to come, but for the here-and-now, the UIT is king of the hill, and unusually affordable, too!
Its unique PMP filter cleans up the distortion digital produces in my extremely high definition system. It is made mostly of silver within the module. It also reduces all kinds of hum, EMI, and RFI problems. The wire is layers of multiple types and heavily shielded. It is very flexible and uses quality gold plated USB connectors.
I ran the UIT USB for several days before evaluation, though it sounded very good right out of the box. The advantages of the UIT were significant, though not dramatic. It was not 5 or 10 times better than my references, but all agreed they heard improvements.
Choral music was clearer and more obviously placed in the hall. Solo vocalists were more exactly where they should be, in front of the chorus. The orchestra was just in front of or behind the vocalist. Backgrounds were blacker. Haze was lifted. Graininess was reduced. Maria Callas was more Callas-like than Callas-light. The music was smoother and more delicate. Reality was just more real. The best part was that I heard no reduction of anything, only more of everything with the UIT.
Jazz instruments were musically more natural and timbres more correct. The instruments had an analog feel that was just more obvious. Bass definition was more layered and just a bit bigger and bolder. The mono recordings of the 50's had more depth and sounded more like tubes / twisted copper wire in the recording process of yore. Tube microphones sounded just right.
I have had a lot of experience with UIT cables to date, and find them extremely appealing for their unfailingly musical sound. I’ll admit that the USB cable did surprise me a bit, as I truly believed there was no way a wire in this price range could compete. Digital is a truly different animal, for sure. Mitch Ko, the UIT CEO and Chief Engineer, is a genius of the first order in my book. I have been an audiophile for 55 years and his achievements are extraordinary, and a price-performance boon to our hobby.
Quibbles
Just one that I should mention: The USB wire is a bit heavy, though very flexible, so consider ordering 1.5 meters to give extra support on the shelf.
Summary
The Unique Innovation Technology Perfect Music Purifier USB Digital Cable is my current favorite USB cable for connecting your top DAC to your computer or server. It just does a superior job, banishing the digital demons from your front end in a way that’s better than anything I have tried in my audio system to date. What a deal, too, as it costs less than many alternatives for a change!
I highly recommend the UIT PMP USB cable for all your appropriate audio USB applications as your first choice.
By the way, Unique Innovation Technology Co. provides a 30-Day Return Window and a two-year warranty.
Perfect Music Purifier USB Digital Cable
Retail: $530 per meter, sold direct
Unique Innovation Technology
Mitch Ko
1.925.292.1299
