DM Connect Clara USB-A to USB-B

July 21, 2026

DM CONNECT CLARA USB-A to USB-B REVIEW

Michael Fairbairn takes a look and listens to the DM Connect Clara USB cable costing £498.

Having previously spent time with DM Connect’s impressive NASA N1 CAT8 Ethernet cable, I was keen to see whether the company’s approach to cable design would translate just as successfully to USB.

As I noted in my review of the NASA N1, DM Connect is the brainchild of the award-winning NuPrime Audio’s American cable development team, including the highly regarded Demian Martin. Combined with the engineering pedigree of NuPrime founder Jason Lim, whose reputation for innovation in high-performance audio electronics is well established, it’s clear that the CLARA has been developed by people who understand that every component in the signal path matters.

That philosophy underpins the entire DM Connect range. Rather than treating a USB cable as a simple means of carrying digital data, DM Connect says that the CLARA has been engineered to address the electrical noise, vibration, and interference that can compromise performance in modern computer and streamer-based systems. Following my positive experience with the NASA N1, expectations were naturally high. The question was simple: could the CLARA deliver the same blend of engineering excellence and musical engagement?

BUILD QUALITY AND FEATURES OF THE DM CONNECT CLARA USB-A to USB-B

The NASA N1 Ethernet cable impressed me from the moment I opened the box and the CLARA USB-A to USB-B cable followed the same path. It was immediately apparent that DM Connect isn’t interested in simply selling you a cable. They’re selling an experience, and that started before I’d even plugged it into my DAC and streamer.

The presentation is, once again, first class. The outer packaging gives way to a premium white presentation box with embossed gold logo, followed by the neatly wrapped cable inside. Further attention to detail with touches like branded tissue paper, drawstring cloth bag, product information booklet and individually numbered authenticity card are all very nice to have and gave me a real sense of luxury. Some may dismiss these as unnecessary extras, but I think they all contribute to making you feel you’ve bought something genuinely special. After all, if you’ve spent good money on a premium product, why shouldn’t the unboxing be part of the enjoyment?

Then there’s the cable itself.

Now, come on, let’s be honest. It’s a USB cable. It’s hardly the sort of thing you’d normally admire from every angle before plugging it in… or is it? Because that’s exactly what I found myself doing. Maybe I’m just getting old, or maybe I’m becoming even more of a HiFi enthusiast (I like to think it’s the latter), but there is something satisfying about holding a product that has clearly been designed with care. No, I didn’t wear it around my neck like some oversized gold chain…although, after my slightly questionable comments about what I felt like I might do with the NASA N1, perhaps I’d better not rule it out entirely!

The CLARA strikes a nice balance between flexibility and rigidity, meaning it’s easy enough to install behind a rack without constantly springing back into shape or feeling like you’re about to kink it. It feels durable and pleasant in the hand, while the substantial metal USB-A and USB-B connectors look and feel high quality. In fact, everything about it says quality.

As with the NASA range, DM Connect has thrown plenty of engineering at what many people would simply call ‘a USB cable’. The company employs its ‘Art of Fusion’ design philosophy, combining stainless steel, raw copper and vibration-damping materials to reduce electrical noise and interference. Multiple layers of shielding, carefully selected conductor materials and precision manufacturing all form part of the package, with the aim of delivering the cleanest possible signal between source and DAC. You can read more about the design philosophy, technical specifications and performance testing process here DM Connect CLARA USB-A To USB-B Cable – Hifi Pig

I’ll freely admit that some of the finer engineering details are beyond me. What I can appreciate, though, is when a manufacturer leaves no stone unturned. Reading through the technical information, it’s obvious that every aspect of the CLARA’s construction has been carefully considered rather than simply assembled from off-the-shelf components.

Little touches also help elevate the experience. The engraved DM branding on the connectors, the quality of the machining and the consistency of the finish all suggest pride in the finished product. They’re small details, certainly, but I’ve always believed that attention to the little things usually says a lot about the bigger picture.

Overall, I think DM Connect has got this right. The CLARA feels every bit like a premium cable should. It’s very well put together, feels built to last and, dare I say it, has a touch of visual appeal too. Some people couldn’t care less what a cable looks like once it’s tucked away behind a rack, and that’s perfectly fair. Me? I enjoy owning products that are as nicely made as they are functional. There’s a certain satisfaction in that, and the CLARA delivers it in abundance. I expect I may have inherited that trait from my Papa Rae, my Mum’s later Father, who founded a successful company in Scotland, producing and supplying firebricks that were not only very high quality but also very nice to look at.

As I also said in my review of the DM Connect Ethernet Cable, this type of product in the HiFi world is a slightly touchy subject (or, very…depending on who you talk to). Much debate rages around the benefits of them. Some say, “It’s all ones and zeros.” While others maintain, “It’s digital to digital. How could it make a difference to the sound?” I tend to look at it through slightly different lenses. If you have already invested in quality components, and you can afford to do the same with cabling, then why not go all in with the extra outlay for the optional upgrades? I remember my dad saying, “Buy the best that you can afford.” If that means £2, £200, £2000, and so on…then go for it. Another saying is, “You can’t take it with you when you go.” Very true.

Another view might be if you splash out on a fancy car but then skimp by putting on the cheapest quality tyres, might it affect the performance of the vehicle and how you feel about it, overall? Most likely, yes. The flip side of the argument is that there is nothing wrong with hooking your gear up with the free, bundled accessories that come with the product. They will absolutely do the job for which they were designed.

So, if it adds to your enjoyment and the experience of your music listening with the HiFi system you have gone to the effort of building, then it’s a no-brainer to do the same with the cables, in my humble opinion.

What you get by spending more on a cable that has been well designed and manufactured should be a sense of joy, satisfaction, and some assurance that you have bought an item that is durable and will somehow elevate your music listening. There’s also the upgrade path consideration. Say you decide it’s time to replace a USB cable. It’s unlikely you would be able to convince someone to buy a cheap one from you, so there’s no return on investment. The opposite may be true if you have a higher quality cable that another enthusiast covets for their own setup.

SETUP AND USE

I connected the cable to an Onix XDA20 DAC that I have in for review and another little device I reviewed: the FiiO SR11 Desktop Streamer. When you consider the latter costs sub £100, compared to the CLARA at £498 for a standard 1.2 metres/4 feet length, you may think that’s a little crazy. I might have been inclined to agree, but that wee FiiO can really hold its own as a great product, so why not do a little matchmaking between the two? The DAC is more of a premium component (£2399), so things balance out a little more there, in the grand scheme of things.

What can I say about the setup and use of the cable? It was plug-and-play and forget about it. Well, it’s not quite ‘out of sight, out of mind’; I can see it from my listening position and that was intentional because I like the flash of orange against all the monochrome kit and wooden rack. How often could you say that about most cabling in a Hi-Fi system?

SOUND QUALITY

‘The Hand That Feeds’ (Nine Inch Nails) from Qobuz via roon, came out of the gates running, and spitting, with transient hits that had superb impact. This one had me air drumming like a loon, with a snarl on my face. Call it the pout of approval. You just know when it does something that gets you going

‘Lilac Wine’ by Jeff Buckley is a simply stunning performance. Quite possibly one of the most intimate vocal deliveries I’ve ever heard. Suffice to say I was blown away by hearing it sound better than I’d ever heard it before. Call it clarity, depth, or some other feeling. Either way, I loved it!

The same was true of The Black Crowes’ ‘Descending’. It was a gorgeous vibe with fantastic, laid-back slide guitar cutting right through in the mix. The overall track also had more than enough heft without ever being overbearing; Chris Robinson’s vocals felt just right and intimate. Oh, that piano intro and outro was just pure bliss too. Heaven.

QUIBBLES

None. What’s not to like?

CONCLUSION

The DM Connect CLARA USB-A to USB-B cable is a very easy product to like because it does the simple things properly. It is beautifully made and, in my system, it seemed to help the music feel that little bit more settled and enjoyable without asking me to overthink it. At £498 for a standard 1.2 metres/4 feet length, it sits firmly in upgrade territory rather than impulse-buy land, so it will make most sense to those who already have a decent digital setup and want the USB connection to be treated with the same care as the rest of the system. If, like me, you enjoy owning things that feel properly thought through, then the CLARA is well worth considering.

5/5. An incredibly well-made product with a genuinely premium feel and a proper investment in the system upgrade path.

AT A GLANCE

Build Quality And Features:

The CLARA USB-A to USB-B cable feels properly premium, with first-class presentation, substantial metal connectors, and a balance of flexibility and rigidity

Sound Quality:

Transient hits felt a little more accurate and immediate in my setup

Vocals and instruments had a pleasing sense of clarity, intimacy and ease

Value For Money:

At £498 for a standard 1.2 metres/4 feet length, it makes most sense as a considered upgrade in an already decent digital system

We Loved:

The build, finish and little details all feel properly thought through

It was plug-and-play, easy to live with and even nice to look at from the listening seat

Premium packaging and presentation that make the product feel special from the start

We Didn’t Love So Much:

Nothing I didn’t love. So much love here.

Elevator Pitch Review: The DM Connect CLARA is a beautifully made USB cable that feels premium without being silly about it, is simple to use, and in my system brought a little extra accuracy, clarity and enjoyment to the digital side of things. It is not a cheap cable, but if you already have a decent setup and like every part of it to feel properly considered, it earns its place

Price: £498 (for a standard 1.2m / 4 feet length)