TOP cables USB

[frorqf13]

Bonsoir,

for sharing, some feedback about ''Neo by Oyaide D+ USB Class S'' usb cable I bought 2 year ago (Mar-2017) in France to a well established vendor.

- get some random disconnections on my DAC recently, while I used it only in static mode with no external force or no stress constraints over cable between audio PC - USB output - LT3045 regulator and my DAC Aune S16. Also to note very few connections/disconnections - less than 10 times - for 2 years.

- chose this Neo D+ USB Class S cable 2 years ago thanks to its smart cable engineering design : power and data line fully separated in 2 separated shielded strands, PTFE and PE foam for insulation, high gauge pure OFC wires. Also seen some good review (Magic Mastering), then I decided to get it and was really satisfied at first by the sound...until I get those odd behaviors.

- then digging now into investigations on USB B and USB A plugs, and very bad bad surprise !!:





=> see very bad plating quality (dixit Neo ''platinum + rhodium'' plating), and on top of that (i do not have pictures made with high powerful electronic microscope), huge of electrical ''micro sparkling'' over part of plating left...
=> not acceptable for a cable of 2 years old only with care in use....

Then, as warranty out, clearly need change of USB plugs. What I do start as I like to understand a little bit more. And while opening (quite difficult because overmolding), another huge surprise !! see below, dry soldering of red +5vcc wire. Electrical connection between +5Vcc wire and USB pin only thanks to overmolding pressure !!




Such a pity as quality of cable itself is good, but clearly harmed by poor workmanship and USB plug quality (and expensive!!). We are far from Japanese quality level...

cable design itself is good:


Conclusion:
- keep away from this cable Neo D+ ''USB Class S''
- based on same proper cable design principle but with smaller wire gauge and gold plated plugs, Neo D+ USB Class A awarded by TAS could be tested. Sure it could only be better that Class S. (and far cheaper)

Sorry for EN language, just to leverage Google indexing, as Neo does not reply to any email.
Cdlt