The Reference High Resolution USB sits at the top of QED's digital cable range, above the Performance Graphite and Connect USB models. Updated in 2020 with a slimmer, more flexible profile and enhanced performance, it is designed specifically for connecting computers, laptops and network streamers to external DACs for high-resolution audio playback at up to 24/192 kHz and DSD.
Impedance-Controlled Data Lane
At its core, the Reference High Resolution USB uses a tightly controlled 24 AWG, 99.999% oxygen-free copper twisted pair conductors. The data lanes are insulated with low-permittivity foamed polyethylene dielectrics and bound with an aluminium/mylar wrap, maintaining the USB 2.0 characteristic impedance specification of 90Ω ±5% across the full cable length. This controlled geometry keeps signal rise time to 100ps at 3m, ensuring clean data transfer at the full 480Mb/s USB 2.0 data rate.
Clean Path Audio Technology
QED’s Clean Path Audio technology electrically isolates the data-carrying conductors from the power supply lines within the cable. A double-layer shield comprising 100% aluminium/mylar wrap and a dense shield braid surrounds the data pair, preventing power-line noise from contaminating the audio data stream. The USB A and USB B connectors provide stable, corrosion-free contact surfaces at each end.
Ferrite Insulation Technology
The cable incorporates QED’s proprietary Ferrite Insulation technology, an integral zinc/manganese floating ferrite jacket distributed evenly throughout the cable structure. This absorbs radio-frequency noise both from external sources and from the cable’s own internal reflections. QED’s eye-pattern analysis at USB 2.0 data rates measured 50% less jitter compared to equivalent cables without the ferrite treatment, reducing jitter-induced distortion during isochronous audio data transfer.