Cables & Accessories

Although fine for connecting printers to your PC, computer-grade USB cables are not really up to the job for audio applications. They may be low cost, but using them to connect your PC to an external DAC can result in unwanted effects on the data signal being transmitted. These effects can manifest themselves as errors in the digital data stream, which the DAC in turn has to correct.

The GT2 NCF USB-B cable contains silver-plated OCC conductors treated with Furutech’s proprietary two-stage ‘Alpha’ process, which is said to improve conductor conductivity. The conductors are insulated with a high-density polyethylene dielectric and screened by a three-layer shielding. The connectors are 24k gold-plated USB 2.0 – a USB Type A connector at one end and Type B at the other. The connector shell is made from a multi-material hybrid construction that employs Furutech’s crystalline NCF (Nano Crystal Formula) material. This is a special crystalline component that converts thermal energy into far infrared and generates negative ions intended to eliminate static. This is combined with nano-sized ceramic particles and carbon powder designed to provide an excellent electrical and mechanical damping material. The GT2 NCF USB-B cable is available in several lengths, ranging from 0.6m to 5m.

We connect the standard-A USB plug of the cable to a Windows 11 PC and then the square-section standard B USB end to a Furutech ADL Stratos DAC and then play a hi-res 24-bit/192kHz WAV of Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.4 performed by Interpreti Veneziani. The energetic performance comes through very clearly and the accuracy of instrument placement within the soundstage is superb.

Playing Matthew Halsall’s This Time as a 16-bit/44kHz WAV, we find the trumpet very clear and bright, while the accompanying flute and sax are really open. The bass is also punchy and powerful.

The Furutech GT2 NCF USB-B is a well priced and made cable suitable for any digital audio system. NR    

Read the full review in  Issue 526