Digital Cable Reviews

Ansuz A3 and X3 USB Cables

Christiaan Punter 9 December 2025 No Comments

Listening – A3 USB

Starting with the Ansuz A3 USB cable, fresh out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised by its crisp, pure, well-focused, and lively sound. Not all digital cables change much over time, but some do. So, just in case, I left the cable playing music continuously for 5 days while leaving the X3 cable untouched. If the A3 changed over time, I would easily hear the difference compared to the other cable. Sure enough, when I listened to the two cables again after a week, the A3 had become slightly smoother and a little more liquid, while retaining all the qualities I liked.

After playing music continuously for 5 days, I was still impressed by the nimble, articulate, upbeat, open, and expressive sound the Oladra produced with this cable. The A3 USB offers fast, tight, and articulate bass, a detailed, open, and communicative midrange with superb focus, and accurate yet delicate, open, and airy treble. The sound is entirely devoid of excess fat, yet it doesn’t sound lean. The bass is all there, convincingly and realistically, just the way it should be, but never bloated or exaggerated. Collectively, we respond well to a fuller sound, and we usually find it pleasant. But if there’s one thing I learned over the years, it’s that nothing beats neutrality! Nevertheless, as clean and neutral as the A3 sounds, it also provides an organic meatiness to the midrange that, in other cables, is usually only achieved by fattening the bass.

No matter what I play using the A3 cable, the rendition feels lively, realistic, and highly resolving, which is just the way I like it.

From left to right: standard “freebie” USB cable, Vermouth Reference, Ansuz X3, Ansuz A3, and Mad Scientist Prime.

When using a standard “freebie” USB cable after the Ansuz A3, the server maintains a nimble, upbeat rendition. However, the sound now becomes comparatively lean and barebones, less expressive and powerful, tonally desaturated, and less engaging than with the Ansuz A3 USB cable.

The Vermouth Reference USB cable, on the other hand, has a very charming sound that is easy to relax into. This cable is considerably smoother and has a liquidity that makes it emotionally pleasing. However, it is also significantly less crisp, incisive, open, and propulsive than the Ansuz A3, and quite laidback. As pleasant as it sounds, I find it less exciting and less realistic.

The Mad Scientist Prime is a standout USB cable: it sounds like no other USB cable. The Prime has a rock-solid foundation and is tonally full-bodied, powerful, and impactful. One could say it has a similarly planted and tonally full quality to the classic Wadia CD players, if that reference still holds up after all these years. The Ansuz A3 is comparatively leaner but closer to what I regard as strictly neutral, while offering a more open upper midrange and more extended, airier treble.

Compared to a Mogami 3080 AES/EBU cable, the Ansuz A3 USB sounds tonally richer yet also more incisive, upbeat, and communicative. Stepping up to the Network Acoustics muon 2 Balanced AES/EBU cable, the overall sound signature comes close to the Ansuz A3 USB cable in terms of fluidity, flow, richness, and finesse, but the USB cable retains its lead in tightness, articulation, and expression.

Listening – X3 USB

Before continuing my assessments with the X3 USB cable, I let it play music for 5 days to ensure it had the same runtime as the A3 cable.

Starting with the A3 and swapping to the X3, the differences were significant. I’ve heard many USB cables, but when comparing two cables from the same manufacturer, and especially when they are only one tier apart, one does not expect such a massive difference.

If ever there was an incentive to believe marketing claims using unconventional methods, such as Ansuz’s Tesla Coil techniques, this is it. After all, these two cables use the same conductors, materials, and construction, and the only differences are in the Tesla techniques. Also, this observation lends further weight to a claim I made earlier in another Ansuz review. Although Anzus products become increasingly and significantly more costly as you move from tier to tier, the sound quality most assuredly also takes a massive leap each time.

In stark contrast with the A3’s tight, crisp, and well-focused delivery, the X3’s sound is smooth, full-blooded, free-flowing, and relaxed. Whereas the A3 is very energetic and exciting, the X3 is calmer and more laid-back, offering a comforting, spacious sound with a warm feel.

The X3 has a pleasant rendition, for sure, but you can clearly hear that the focus and precision are reduced compared to the A3 cable. Amazingly, these differences are attributed solely to Ansuz’s Coil Techniques.

Although it is probably clear that I am more impressed with the A3, the X3 is still worth considering, especially when looking for a cable in its price range and when paired with more affordable, less audiophile audio components. These often sound a little lean and tonally pale, or can lack a seductive, “analog”, or liquid quality. Compared to using a standard freebie USB cable, the X3 provides a more upscale, lush, involving, and refined performance. As such, it is one of the most sensible first steps when upgrading an audio system.

Conclusion

Ansuz is known for high-quality products that can be expensive, but the X3 USB and A3 USB models offer excellent value at more than reasonable prices.

With its crisp, propulsive, focused, open, and expressive yet fluid and airy rendition, the A3 has immediately won me over. This cable ticks all the audiophile boxes, steers clear of all the no-no boxes, and is so neutral and natural that you forget listening to a USB cable. Highly recommended without ifs or buts.

The even more affordable A3 may not offer the same performance as the X3, but it is still a great cable that provides a smooth, lush, spacious, involving, and hugely refined performance. It is still miles better than a standard USB cable, and especially worth considering as the next upgrade for systems that sound a little lean and could do with a touch of seductive smoothness. At its attractive price point, I consider the A3 one of the best options available.