QED Reference High Resolution USB (A-B) Cable
✓ Authorised UK Dealer
✓ FREE 2 - 3 Working Day Delivery
The original QED Reference USB cable was immediately recognised as the outstanding USB cable for audio applications, and has been ever since. But ever since the day the Reference USB took home its first Award, QED’s single-minded engineers have been developing this winning formula to deliver an even greater cable. Greater accuracy, greater flexibility, greater compatibility.
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Impedance Controlled Data Lane
QED Reference High Resolution USB uses a tightly controlled, 24 AWG, 99.999% oxygen-free copper twisted-pair featuring low-permittivity, foamed-polyethylene dielectrics, which is uniformly bound by an aluminium/mylar wrap. This arrangement is similar to that used in our high performance HDMI cables and is not usually found in a USB cable. Because the impedance of the data lane is kept strictly within defined limits of 90 Ω +/- 5% with a rise time of just 100 ps for a 3 m cable, it exceeds the specification given in the USB 2.0 standard by more than half; therefore the timing error or jitter added to the isochronous data stream is kept to a minimum. This has the effect of increasing the enjoyment of actually listening to music being conveyed by the cable to an extent large enough for it to be statistically significant in listening tests conducted in our bespoke listening facilities.
Clean Path Audio™ Technology
Many audio enthusiasts feel that running USB power cables carrying charging currents and PC power supply noise alongside the isochronous audio data stream can have an adverse affect on sound quality. One answer is to remove the power cables altogether but this deviates from the USB specification and can cause inconvenience, especially if the DAC electronics require USB power. Instead, QED Reference data lanes are uniquely electrically isolated by using a double layer shield comprising a 100% aluminium/mylar wrap and shield braid connected to ground.
Ferrite Insulation™ Technology
QED Reference High Resolution USB features a unique integral Zn/Mn floating, ferrite jacket. Using a proprietary process, QED has been able to distribute this radio frequency absorbent material evenly throughout the cable by means of a specially impregnated inner jacket. It is included to absorb high frequency noise signals generated both internally and externally. It works to create a much quieter electrical environment in and around the cable so that jitter within the audio data stream is minimized.
Ultra-low Jitter Geometry
When measured using an eye pattern analyser at the correct data rate for high bandwidth USB 2.0, the cable exhibits 50% less jitter than a comparable cable without the ferrite jacket. This shows conclusively that the combined technologies of impedance controlled data lanes, electrically isolated power conductors and floating ferrite jacket have the effect of halving the cable induced jitter present in the digital transfer layer between source (digital music server) and sink (DAC or other digital music interface). Because USB audio is delivered in an isochronous data stream in real time, it is thought that ultra-low jitter components distributed throughout the digital data pathway will result in an audible improvement in sound quality. Certainly, in listening tests, QED Reference High Resolution USB cable with the ferrite jacket and other technology was preferred to samples without the jacket
High Resolution Audio
Although the highest resolution audio stream of 24/192 kHz or more (such as DSD) is well within the maximum data rate capability of the USB 2.0 standard and therefore able to be sent sent over any suitably compatible USB cable, timing error caused by cable attenuation, propagation delay skew and characteristic impedance mismatch will result in increased jitter of the isochronous data stream. Depending upon the capability of the receiving equipment this jitter can create audible problems with the digital audio signal. To put it simply jitter causes distortion in the signal. This is due to the interaction of the required frequency with the frequency of the jitter which causes harmonics to be produced that were not present in the original signal. The distortion is similar to a subtle version of the more familiar THD & intermodulation distortion present in many amplifiers. This problem inevitably increases listener fatigue making the music sound harsh or just simply not enjoyable. The listener therefore finds it more difficult to listen for long periods without taking a break. Because, by definition, listeners of high resolution audio files are most likely to be the most discerning, any extra jitter added to the audio datastream by a poor cable design might be noticeable. QED Reference High Resolution USB is therefore eminently suitable for Hi-Res audio applications simply due to its unrivalled and superior, measurable jitter performance which, as we have shown delivers a performance which is at once more musical and enjoyable and which enables a relaxed and long lasting listening session leaving hifi enthusiasts eager to repeat the experience.
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Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions - there may be delays of up to 48 hours to our estimated delivery times.
How will you send my item?
We ship to addresses within the UK using Royal Mail and DPD couriers.
How much does delivery cost?
Standard 2-3 working day delivery is FREE on all orders to mainland UK. Next working day courier service is available on all orders for a small fee of £4.99. On some items this is provided for FREE.
For orders to UK Non-mainland and International destinations, there will be an additional charge at checkout. Please see below for more information.
How long does delivery take?
Depending on the delivery service you choose, delivery usually takes between 1-3 working days to mainland UK from the moment we despatch your order. Orders to UK non-mainland and international destinations can take longer.
When will you despatch my order?
Orders placed before 3pm are processed and despatched the same day (excluding bank holidays and weekends). Orders placed on weekends will be processed and despatched the following working day.
*Please note that international orders may require extra checks before we are able to despatch your order so timescales may vary.
Can I track my delivery?
Yes - Order tracking is offered as standard on all items, whether they are shipped via DPD or Royal Mail. You will receive your tracking information via email once we have despatched your order.
UK Non-mainland and International destinations.
Due to the UK leaving the EU, some of our delivery partners have changed the way we ship to international and offshore destinations. This means that for the time being we are unable to ship items to these locations.
We are still accepting orders to these destinations however delivery times and prices are not final. We will confirm via email once we know more from our delivery partner.
Shipping for all items to UK Non-Mainland and International destinations will incur a charge at checkout. This charge is not final and we may need to charge for additional postage if required.
Shipping to international destinations may require further security checks and I.D. may need to be provided by the cardholder. We reserve the right to cancel any orders where you are do not pass our security checks or do not pay for appropriate postage.
Please note that we are unable to ship some items outside the UK. To avoid any disapointment please contact us before making your order.
What do you class as UK Non-mainland?
Rep. Ireland, N. Ireland, Channel Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man and Scottish Highlands. If you are unsure whether your address is classed as UK Non-mainland please feel free to contact us and an advisor will be happy to help.
For any further enquiries with regards to your delivery please contact us on 020 8813 7666 and one of our adviser's will be happy to help.
If you're not happy with your item or you've changed your mind.
Even though we're sure you'll be happy with your purchase, it's important that you are aware of how we deal with returns in the event that you need to send something back.
We understand how inconvenient it can be when you buy a product and aren't 100% satisfied with it. For this reason we have designed our returns policy to prevent any further inconvenience to you in these instances.
Under 14 days
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You can return your goods for a full refund or exchange as long as you inform us of your intention to return the goods within 14 days of receipt, starting from the day after you receive your goods (Exclusions apply, see below.)
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All return costs are down to the buyer and it is recommended that you return your items using a trackable method with appropriate insurance (if required).
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Once we have confirmed your return, please ensure that you return the item within 14 days.
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If a returns number is provided then please ensure that the parcel has this clearly marked.
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Items need to be returned in "as new" condition in their original packaging. We don't mind if you open the product to check it, however any used or damaged products will be subject to a 25% handling fee so please take care when opening your items.
After 14 days
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We will not offer a refund after 14 days of you receiving your delivery unless your product is faulty.
Exclusions from our returns policy
As we're sure you'll understand, there are some products that we can't offer returns on due to their nature. These include:
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Special order items and cables cut from a reel (priced per metre). These items will be clearly identifiable.
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In-Ear headphones due to health and hygiene reasons.
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Products that include software which require activation.
Please note that these exclusions do not apply to items that become faulty.
If your product becomes faulty
We endeavour to get your items to you in fully working order, however in the event that your items do become faulty, please read below on what you should do next.
In a lot of cases with some products, faults can be fixed by performing some basic troubleshooting, so to prevent any further inconvenience to you we advise that you contact our Customer Service team who can guide you through some basic troubleshooting before sending items back.
Under 28 days
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If your items become faulty within 28 days of delivery you are entitled to a full refund or exchange. Please contact our customer service centre who will provide necessary returns details.
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Please send the items back with a cover note including a description of the fault and your original order number.
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Once we have fully tested the item and confirmed the fault, we will process the refund or exchange including cost of carriage back to us (within reason).
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If during our testing we cannot find a fault, no refund will be given and you will be charged for delivery of the item back to you.
After 28 days
- After 28 days you will still be able to get your faulty items repaired or replaced within the manufacturers warranty and we will be happy to assist you with this. Please contact our customer service team to find out the best way to get your items repaired or replaced. Please be aware that after 28 days we will not cover you for any carriage costs.