AA AUDIO (website: aa-audio.com.my) from Malaysia is,…
“the brand name of affordable high-performance Music Server and USB2 Audio Cables which Rival the Megabucks“,
and have enjoyed quite a following from the local audiophile community. Therefore, I hesitated not when asked by their Founder/ Head Designer, Dr.Anwar Ali Muhamad to review their USB 2.0 Audio Cable.
I was honored that AA AUDIO decided to send their flagship USB 2.0 Audio Cable, the SIGNATURE EXTREME (SIG XT) MK.2 (sold direct, Ringgit Malaysia RM3,630.00/ 0.8m – RM5,940.00/ 1.5m) which “used the combination of Silver Gold Alloy wires for Data and Pure Silver wires for Power delivery, giving the Ultimate Tonal Balance and Musicality“.
Therefore, it “has separate sleeves for data and power resulting in lower noise floor. It also has better flexibility when orienting the USB plugs“.
I decided to connect the AA AUDIO SIG XT USB between (either) the Aurender W20 Music Server or the HiFi Rose RS150B Digital Streamer (mainly Tidal), with (either) the Vitus Audio Masterpiece MP-D201 Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) or the Lyngdorf MP-60 Processor.
RIVAL THE MEGABUCKS?
It was Obvious to me from the ‘get go‘ that the AA AUDIO SIG XT USB has all the Qualities of the Megabucks Audio Component (‘cable was considered an audio component‘),…that after a brief listening session, almost immediately, I messaged Dr.Anwar to compliment him for the fine work/ product.
The AA AUDIO SIG XT USB displayed the Quietness of the Background behind the lead vocalist, Ms.Axinia Schönfeld at her rendition of ‘The Thomas Crown Affair: The Windmills of Your Mind‘, that allowed so much Resolution of Details in her voiceation to be heard and enjoyed,…from “the vibration of her vocal cords to the shaping of sound waves by her mouth, throat, and nasal cavity”,
…ultimately, her Artistry was Vividly Portrayed.
At the track ‘Blues of War‘, the main instrument, the piano, was presented Proportionately, In Scale and Spaced (with Airiness) behind the vocalist,…
therefore presented a Convincing Scene of the Recording Session.
Here, at the instrumental track ‘Mashup‘, the AA AUDIO SIG XT USB displayed Clear Distinction, Definition, Delineation and Space for Each Instrument Played,…
at a Convincing Soundstage of an Enveloping Soundscape!
In addition, each note from the different instrument was Clearly Separated and Differentiated as intended,..
therefore the music was always in its Intended Order, Control and Tune.
The AA AUDIO SIG XT USB was never reserved in the low to the lowest of frequencies. Here, the Serbian Bassist, Mr.Nenad Vasilić‘s play at his bass (the instrument) was presented ‘Note by Note‘ and ‘String by String‘.
Each note and string was Distincted and Articulately Differentiated by Volume, Weight, Vibration, Energy and Bass.
Literally, I could feel the Different Power of each different note and string played, from the Bass (the intrument) in my Audio Den,
…it was that Close and Intimate!
Similarly, I found that AA AUDIO SIG XT USB was an Impressive Conduit of Intricate and Minute Details thus showcased the Depth in the violinist, Ms.Angel Wang‘s play and control at the track ‘Phoenix Rising‘, even amidst the Grand Play of the Phoenix Orchestra.
There was that ‘Sensation of Assurance’ that Nothing was Amissed (!) throughout the track(s), from the Softest to the Loudest and Most Complicated of Passage(s).
In other words, there was ‘no short-change‘ to the Grandeur, Size, Scale and Dynamic (Energy) in the presentation of the entire (Phoenix) Orchestra.
MEGABUCK PERFORMANCE!
The AA AUDIO SIG XT USB did performed as intended by Dr.Anwar,…
a MEGABUCK cable with the MEGABUCK Performances and Attributes,
…however, as explained in their website, such performances and attributes came with a price that could not be any lower.