Datasheet

As well known as AudioQuest is for its groundbreaking line of low-distortion, high-performance analog
cables, the more recent addition of high-speed digital cables such as HDMI, FireWire, Ethernet and USB
to the AQ line have garnered near-universal acclaim from reviewers, manufacturers, dealers and end
users. In that frontier-expanding spirit there are some substantial updates and improvements coming
to AudioQuest’s broad and potent line of USB Digital-Audio cables.
4 models–Forest, Cinnamon, Carbon and Diamond–will support USB 3.0 (in lengths up to 3.0 meters),
which improves on USB 2.0’s bandwidth by a full factor of 10, increasing maximum transfer speeds from
480 Mbps to 4.8 Gbps. Speed matters in computer audio, so the faster the transfer speeds are, the
better the sound.
In addition, 3 USB cables–Cinnamon, Carbon and Diamond–will be available with Apple’s Lightning
connector, which graces the very latest iOS devices, including the iPad with Retina display, the iPad
Mini and the iPhone 5.
USB Pearl ($25/0.75 meter) is the new entry point in the line, which features solid Long-Grain Copper
(LGC) conductors. USB Forest will still be with us, but Forest will see the cost-effective sonic-performance
benefits of Direct-Silver Plate on its conductors; its metal will be solid 0.5% silver for improved audio
performance. Note too that Pearl will only be available in standard USB A-B, A-Mini and A-Micro configura-
tions; Forest is also available in iPod 30-pin–A and USB 3.0–Micro.
AudioQuest’s Carbon-Based 3-Layer Noise-Dissipation System (NDS) will be added to USB Carbon,
Coffee and Diamond. Typical cable shield systems absorb and then drain noise and RF energy to com-
ponent ground, which modulates and distorts the critical “reference” ground plane. NDS’s application
of metal- and carbon-loaded synthetics “shields the shield,” absorbing and reflecting most of this
energy before it reaches the layer attached to component ground. This reduces distortion and increas-
es sonic performance.
As versatile and great sounding as AudioQuest’s USB cables are, these latest models and improvements
continue the AQ tradition of pushing performance to the available limit, never resting on an existing
product’s laurels.
2621 White Road • Irvine, CA 92614 USA • Tel [phone] • Fax [phone] • www.audioquest.com
June 5, 2013
New Product Announcement:
USB 2.0 & USB 3.0 Cables
A ¡¢ B A ¡¢ Mini iPod 30-pin ¡¢ A A ¡¢ Micro
USB 3.0 A ¡¢
USB 3.0 Micro
USB cables are available in a wide range of applications:
Lightning ¡¢ A