{"product_id":"audioquest-forest-usb-kabel","title":"AudioQuest Forest USB Cable","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe AudioQuest Forest USB is a USB audio cable that connects a computer or streamer to your DAC, using semi-solid conductors that are 0.5% silver-plated. It's the entry level of the AudioQuest USB range – and the moment the grey bundled cable from the printer box can finally retire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Forest?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUSB delivers data, but at the same time drags high-frequency noise from the power supply and mainboard toward the converter. The Forest counters this with semi-solid conductors in a concentric design, whose surface is 0.5% silver-plated – at the high frequencies of a USB signal, the current flows exactly there. On top of that comes Hard-Cell Foam insulation: nitrogen-injected polyethylene that keeps the geometry stable and stores hardly any energy. A metal-layer noise-dissipation system and direction-controlled conductors take care of the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable as A–B in 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 5 m, as well as A–C, A–Micro B 2.0, C–B and C–C in 0.75 and 1.5 m. We can request special lengths from the distributor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Forest for – and who isn't it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStraight talk: if you're blasting music from a Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom, you don't need a Forest. But as soon as a real USB DAC is in play – on a laptop, a music server, a streamer – this is the first sensible step. If you're already running a high-resolution system, the path leads more toward Cinnamon or Carbon; the Forest plays to its strengths at the entry level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA quieter background, clearer contours, no voodoo: the Forest is the most sensible upgrade you can give a USB connection. Which connector combination and length fit your devices, we'll clarify in two minutes – HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB audio cable (USB 2.0)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConductors:\u003c\/strong\u003e semi-solid, concentric, 0.5% silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInsulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hard-Cell Foam (nitrogen-injected polyethylene)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNoise dissipation:\u003c\/strong\u003e metal-layer noise dissipation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirectionality:\u003c\/strong\u003e direction-controlled conductors for RF noise dissipation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConnector variants:\u003c\/strong\u003e A–B, A–C, A–Micro B 2.0, C–B, C–C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLengths:\u003c\/strong\u003e A–B 0.75 \/ 1.5 \/ 3 \/ 5 m; other variants 0.75 and 1.5 m\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan you even hear a USB cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a real USB DAC, yes; on a Bluetooth speaker, no. The bits arrive either way – what becomes audible is how much high-frequency noise the computer sends along the line. The Forest reduces this portion, which usually shows up as a quieter background and a more stable soundstage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I also use the Forest for an external hard drive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it's a standard-compliant USB 2.0 cable and transfers any kind of data. However, it was developed for audio – for mass storage with high data rates, the extra effort brings no benefit. The Forest makes sense wherever a DAC is connected at the other end and it's about music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForest or straight to Cinnamon?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Forest is enough as long as the DAC and system are at the entry level. The Cinnamon with 1.25% silver becomes worthwhile as soon as the system resolves more finely – then you'll hear more nuances. Describe your devices to us, and we'll tell you honestly when the extra cost pays off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the conductors direction-controlled?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAudioQuest controls the grain direction of the metal in every conductor and marks the cable with arrows. The goal is to preferentially drain high-frequency noise in one direction – away from the sensitive converter. Just plug the cable in the way the arrows point: toward the DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy order the Forest from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause before selling, we ask what ports your devices have – A, B, C or Micro-B – and what length is actually needed. We've been working with digital systems since the nineties, know the typical pitfalls, and order special lengths from the distributor. Advice is available by phone, WhatsApp or email.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA USB cable connects a computer or streamer to the converter: check out the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/dac\"\u003eDACs \u0026amp; D\/A converters\u003c\/a\u003e, compare the levels under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/usb-kabel\"\u003eUSB cables\u003c\/a\u003e, or discover the whole \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/audioquest\"\u003eAudioQuest world\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AudioQuest","offers":[{"title":"A–B \/ 0.75 m","offer_id":53020029616464,"sku":null,"price":84.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–B \/ 1.5 m","offer_id":53020029649232,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–B \/ 3 m","offer_id":53020029682000,"sku":null,"price":139.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–B \/ 5 m","offer_id":53020029714768,"sku":null,"price":189.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–C \/ 0.75 m","offer_id":53020029747536,"sku":null,"price":84.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–C \/ 1.5 m","offer_id":53020029780304,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–Micro B 2.0 \/ 0.75 m","offer_id":53020029813072,"sku":null,"price":84.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"A–Micro B 2.0 \/ 1.5 m","offer_id":53020029845840,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"C–B \/ 0.75 m","offer_id":53020029878608,"sku":null,"price":84.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"C–B \/ 1.5 m","offer_id":53020029911376,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"C–C \/ 0.75 m","offer_id":53020029944144,"sku":null,"price":84.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true},{"title":"C–C \/ 1.5 m","offer_id":53020029976912,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/audioquest-forest-usb-kabel-produktansicht.png?v=1785435995","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/audioquest-forest-usb-kabel","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}