AudioQuest Coffee USB Cable

The AudioQuest Coffee USB is a USB audio cable with solid-core conductors and 10% silver that, as the first tier of the range, comes with an active 72-volt Dielectric-Bias System. It's the connection for systems where the DAC is no longer the weakest link.

Why the Coffee?

The silver content rises to 10% – and on top of that comes technology that isn't found below this tier. The DBS uses a battery module to apply a constant 72 volts to the insulation, keeping the dielectric polarised so that it stores and releases hardly any energy. A carbon-based 3-layer Noise-Dissipation System and Hard-Cell Foam handle the passive side, silver-plated contacts the transition into the device. The result: a silence between the notes that's hard to give up once you've heard it.

What you get

An A–B cable in 0.75, 1.5, 3 or 5 m, each with the DBS module fitted. There are no other connector combinations for the Coffee – for that, Carbon and Diamond are available.

Who is the Coffee suited for – and who isn't it?

Honestly: on a mid-range DAC, most of what the Coffee can do goes unused – there, the Carbon is the smarter investment. This tier makes sense once the DAC, amplifier and speakers already show what a calmer feed can bring. And if your device only has USB-C, the question is settled anyway.

Our verdict

Close to reference, but not uncompromisingly expensive: the Coffee delivers most of what the Diamond can do. Whether your system plays at that level, we're happy to assess with you: HD Zürisee, Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: USB audio cable (USB 2.0)
• Conductors: solid-core, long-grain copper with 10% silver
• Insulation: Hard-Cell Foam (nitrogen-injected foamed polyethylene)
• Noise dissipation: carbon-based 3-layer Noise-Dissipation System
• Dielectric bias: active 72V DBS (battery module on the cable)
• Connector contacts: silver-plated
• Connector variant: A–B
• Lengths: 0.75 / 1.5 / 3 / 5 m

Frequently asked questions

What does the small battery module on the cable do?

That's the Dielectric-Bias System. A 72-volt battery applies a voltage to the insulation, keeping the dielectric permanently polarised so it stores less energy. No current flows through the signal conductors – the module works in parallel and is mounted on the cable, without sitting in the signal path.

How long does the DBS battery last?

Very long, since practically no current flows – AudioQuest counts in years, not months. Should the battery ever run down, the cable keeps working, it just loses the added benefit of the bias. We'll source a replacement for you through the distributor – just let us know.

Why is the Coffee only available as A–B?

Because AudioQuest designed this tier for the classic connection between a computer or streamer and a desktop DAC. If you need USB-C or Micro-B, go for Carbon or Diamond – both come in C–B, C–C and A–Micro B. We'll tell you which tier makes sense in that case.

Coffee or Diamond – where's the line?

In the conductor material. The Coffee works with 10% silver on copper, the Diamond with solid Perfect-Surface Silver. Both carry the active 72-volt DBS. The step up only pays off on high-end DACs; below that, you're better off investing in the source or the power supply.

Why order the Coffee from HD Zürisee?

Because a cable at this level deserves an honest assessment, not sales talk. We'll tell you whether your DAC can carry this tier, and we take care of ordering, length and warranty handling. Our team in Wädenswil is reachable by phone, WhatsApp and email.

Goes well with

At this level, the DAC on the other end matters – take a look at the DACs & D/A converters. A direct comparison of the tiers is under USB cables, the full range in the AudioQuest world.