Audio T Verdict
Chord Company Shawline USB is aimed at anyone using USB as a serious digital-audio connection rather than simply the cable that happened to be in the computer drawer.
The construction is considerably more involved than a generic USB lead. Both the signal and power conductors are silver plated, the power conductors are separately shielded from the signal path, and an additional overall shield provides further protection from high-frequency electrical interference.
Chord Company also uses a specialised hard-skin polyethylene insulation developed for high-speed signal transfer, together with a USB-specific version of its proprietary ARAY conductor geometry.
The result is a purpose-built USB-A to USB-B audio cable particularly well suited to computers, music servers and dedicated digital transports feeding a compatible USB DAC.
One thing to be aware of is that Shawline USB is deliberately an A-to-B product. Chord Company does not offer this particular construction with USB-C or Micro-USB connectors because its heavier conductors make those smaller terminations impractical. If you need USB-C, Clearway USB is the range to look at instead.
Chord Company Shawline USB Digital Audio Interconnect
Shawline USB is a specialist digital audio cable developed for transferring USB audio between a compatible source and USB DAC.
Typical applications include:
- Computer to USB DAC
- Laptop to USB DAC
- Music server to DAC
- Dedicated digital transport to USB DAC
- Compatible network player to DAC
- Other USB-A to USB-B digital audio connections
USB-A to USB-B Connection
Shawline USB is designed around the familiar:
USB-A to USB-B connection.
USB-A is commonly found on computers, music servers and digital transports, while the square USB-B socket remains widely used as the dedicated USB audio input on DACs and other Hi-Fi components.
Check the Sockets Before Ordering
Shawline USB is intended for equipment using USB-A and USB-B connections.
If either component uses USB-C, Micro-USB or another USB format, this is not the correct cable. Contact Audio T if you are unsure which connection your equipment requires.
Designed Specifically for USB Audio
USB was originally developed as a general-purpose computer interface rather than specifically for high-performance audio.
Chord Company developed Shawline USB after working on its higher-end Sarum and Signature USB cables and applying what it had learned about conductor geometry, shielding and high-frequency interference to a more accessible design.
Silver-Plated Signal Conductors
Shawline USB uses:
High-quality silver-plated signal conductors.
These carry the USB data between the source component and DAC.
Silver-Plated Power Conductors
The USB power conductors are also:
Silver plated.
Chord Company therefore applies the upgraded conductor material to both the signal and power sections of the cable.
Signal and Power Are Treated Separately
A conventional USB connection contains both:
- Digital data conductors
- Power conductors
Chord Company pays particular attention to keeping those two functions from unnecessarily interacting with one another.
Power Conductors Separately Shielded
The Shawline USB power conductors are:
Separately shielded from the signal conductors.
This is one of the cable's key design features.
Rather than placing all of the conductors together under a single overall screen, Chord Company adds internal shielding between the power and data sections.
Why Separate USB Power and Data?
The 5V power line and digital data share the same USB connection.
Shawline USB's internal shielding is designed to reduce unwanted high-frequency interaction between those separate functions before an additional overall shield is applied around the complete cable.
Overall Shielding
In addition to the internal separation of the power and signal conductors, Shawline USB uses:
An overall cable shield.
The combination of internal and overall shielding is intended to protect the data conductors over a very wide range of high frequencies.
Why High-Frequency Shielding Matters
USB audio systems can operate in electrically busy environments.
Potential sources of high-frequency electrical activity include:
- Computers
- Laptops
- Music servers
- Network switches
- Routers
- Wi-Fi equipment
- Switch-mode power supplies
- DACs
- Displays
- Other digital electronics
Chord Company's approach is therefore to pay considerable attention to shielding within the USB cable itself.
Specialised Hard-Skin Polyethylene Insulation
The conductors use:
Specialised hard-skin polyethylene insulation.
Chord Company developed this insulation specifically for high-speed signal transfer.
It forms part of the complete conductor geometry alongside the silver-plated conductors and shielding system.
ARAY Conductor Geometry
Shawline USB uses:
A specially developed USB version of Chord Company's ARAY conductor geometry.
The geometry draws on development work carried out for the higher-end Signature and Sarum USB cables.
ARAY, Not Tuned ARAY
Chord Company's current Shawline USB product page describes a specially developed version of its ARAY conductor geometry.
It does not specifically call the current Shawline USB design Tuned ARAY, so we have retained the manufacturer's current terminology here.
ChorAlloy-Plated USB Connectors
Current Shawline USB cables use:
ChorAlloy-plated USB connectors.
ChorAlloy is Chord Company's proprietary connector-plating technology and forms part of its current-generation cable range.
Hand Built
Shawline USB is:
Hand built by Chord Company.
The use of heavier conductors and specialised internal shielding makes the cable considerably more involved to manufacture than a typical moulded USB lead.
1 Metre Standard Length
Chord Company supplies Shawline USB in:
1 metre as its standard length.
Custom lengths can also be manufactured to order.
Need a Different Length?
If 1m does not comfortably reach between the source and DAC, Chord Company can build custom Shawline USB lengths.
Contact Audio T with the required length and the equipment being connected before ordering.
Do Not Stretch the Cable Between Components
Allow enough length for the USB cable to form a natural curve behind the equipment.
A cable that is pulled tight can place unnecessary mechanical strain on both USB sockets.
No USB-C Shawline Version
Chord Company specifically states that Shawline USB is not offered with USB-C connectors.
The reason is mechanical rather than simply a gap in the range.
The heavier-gauge Shawline conductors make it difficult to create a mechanically reliable connection within the significantly smaller USB-C plug format.
No Micro-USB Version
The same limitation applies to:
Micro-USB.
Chord Company therefore keeps Shawline USB as an A/B cable rather than compromising its internal construction to accommodate a smaller connector.
Need USB-C?
Do not use an unnecessary chain of adapters simply to make Shawline USB fit a USB-C component.
Chord Company offers dedicated USB-C cables in its C-series and Clearway ranges, which are designed specifically around the smaller connector.
Shawline USB with a Computer
A conventional computer or laptop fitted with USB-A can use Shawline USB to connect directly to a compatible USB-B DAC.
The DAC will still require the correct operating-system support, drivers where applicable and suitable audio playback software.
Shawline USB with a Music Server
Many dedicated music servers and digital transports provide USB audio outputs specifically for feeding an external DAC.
Where the server uses USB-A and the DAC uses USB-B, Shawline USB provides the appropriate physical connection.
Shawline USB with an Innuos Server
Compatible Innuos products with USB-A audio outputs can be connected to USB-B DACs using Shawline USB.
Always check the particular Innuos and DAC connection options before ordering, as current products can provide several different digital outputs.
Shawline USB with a DAC
The familiar square USB-B connection is widely used by standalone DACs.
Shawline USB can be used where this USB-B input is intended for digital audio and the source provides the corresponding USB-A output.
A Real Audio T Shawline USB System
Audio T Southampton has used Shawline USB in a particularly revealing digital system consisting of an Auralic Aries Mini feeding Chord Electronics digital electronics.
In that system, the Auralic's USB output was connected using Shawline USB, demonstrating exactly the sort of dedicated digital-audio application the cable was designed for.
Read: PMC Cor System with Chord Shawline USB at Audio T Southampton
Our Southampton team has also used Shawline USB with an Auralic source and Chord Electronics M Scaler / DAVE-based system.
Read: High-End Digital Audio with Chord Electronics and Shawline USB
Does a USB DAC Need the 5V Power Line?
That depends on the DAC.
Some USB DACs use USB power, while others have their own power supply but may still require the USB 5V line for connection detection or handshaking.
Shawline USB retains the normal USB power conductors rather than removing the 5V connection.
Do Not Assume USB Power Can Be Removed
Some USB audio products will not establish a connection without the USB power line even when the DAC itself has a separate mains power supply.
Shawline USB is designed as a complete USB audio cable with both data and power conductors.
USB Audio Is Digital
Shawline USB transfers digital data rather than an analogue audio signal.
The digital-to-analogue conversion still takes place inside the connected DAC.
It Does Not Convert USB to S/PDIF
Shawline USB does not convert one digital format into another.
Both connected devices must already support compatible USB audio communication.
It Does Not Replace a DAC
The cable transfers digital audio data between compatible devices.
A DAC is still required to convert that digital data into an analogue signal for amplification.
USB-A, USB-B and USB-C Explained
USB-A
- Traditional rectangular USB connector
- Common on computers
- Common on music servers
- Often used as the source end
USB-B
- Square-style USB connector
- Common on dedicated DACs
- Frequently used for USB audio inputs
- Used at the DAC end of Shawline USB
Shawline USB Versus C-USB
C-USB is Chord Company's affordable entry point into specialist USB audio cables and is available with a considerably wider range of modern connector configurations.
C-USB
- Entry-level C-series USB cable
- Silver-plated conductors
- High-density insulation
- Lapped foil shielding
- Gold-plated connectors
- USB-A, USB-B and USB-C configurations
- Wide choice of lengths
Shawline USB
- Higher-level Shawline construction
- Silver-plated signal conductors
- Silver-plated power conductors
- Power separately shielded from signal
- Additional overall shielding
- Specialised hard-skin polyethylene
- ARAY conductor geometry
- ChorAlloy-plated USB connectors
- USB-A / USB-B only
Shawline USB Versus Clearway USB
Clearway USB occupies an interesting position because it offers modern USB-C connectivity alongside a sophisticated double-foil and braid shielding system.
Clearway USB
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- Double-layer foil shielding
- High-density braid
- Alloy-sleeved connectors
- Gold connector pins
- USB-A, USB-B and USB-C options
- Designed for modern USB-C equipment
Shawline USB
- Silver-plated signal and power conductors
- Power separately shielded from signal
- Overall shielding
- Hard-skin polyethylene insulation
- Dedicated ARAY conductor geometry
- ChorAlloy-plated connectors
- USB-A to USB-B focus
Shawline USB Versus Epic USB
Epic USB provides the next obvious step further up Chord Company's current USB range.
Shawline USB
- Silver-plated signal and power conductors
- Separately shielded power conductors
- Overall shield
- Hard-skin polyethylene insulation
- USB-specific ARAY geometry
- ChorAlloy-plated USB-A/B connectors
Epic USB
- Four silver-plated copper conductors
- Two individually shielded conductors
- FEP insulation
- Two-layer braided earth shield
- Tuned ARAY technology
- ChorAlloy-plated USB-A/B connectors
- 1m standard length
- Custom lengths up to 5m
Which Chord USB Cable Should I Choose?
The right model depends on both the system and the connection required.
If you need USB-C, C-USB or Clearway USB is the logical place to start because Shawline and Epic retain the larger USB-A / USB-B format.
If your system already uses A-to-B USB and is sufficiently revealing, Shawline and Epic provide progressively more elaborate conductor, shielding and ARAY construction.
Reviewed by Hi-Fi World
Shawline USB was reviewed by Hi-Fi World in 2021, with the review particularly highlighting its construction and the performance changes heard in a computer-audio system.
Still a Current Chord Company Product
Shawline USB remains part of Chord Company's current 2026 Shawline and USB cable ranges.
Its continued A/B-only configuration is deliberate rather than simply the result of an old design being left unchanged.
Key Features
- Chord Company Shawline USB
- Dedicated digital audio USB cable
- USB-A to USB-B configuration
- High-quality silver-plated signal conductors
- Silver-plated power conductors
- Separate power-conductor shielding
- Overall cable shielding
- High-frequency interference protection
- Specialised hard-skin polyethylene insulation
- Developed for high-speed signal transfer
- USB-specific ARAY conductor geometry
- ChorAlloy-plated USB connectors
- Heavy-gauge construction
- Hand-built construction
- 1m manufacturer-standard length
- Custom lengths available
- Suitable for computers
- Suitable for laptops with USB-A
- Suitable for music servers
- Suitable for dedicated digital transports
- Suitable for USB-B DACs
- Not available with USB-C
- Not available with Micro-USB
- Clearway USB available for USB-C applications
- Epic USB provides the next major range upgrade
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company Shawline USB?
Shawline USB is a specialist USB digital audio interconnect using silver-plated signal and power conductors, separate power shielding, overall shielding and a USB-specific version of Chord Company's ARAY conductor geometry.
What connectors does it use?
Shawline USB is designed around USB-A and USB-B connectors.
Is it USB-A to USB-B?
Yes. It is intended for the common digital-audio arrangement of a USB-A source feeding a USB-B DAC.
Can I use it with a computer?
Yes, where the computer has a USB-A port and is being connected to a compatible USB-B audio device.
Can I use it with a music server?
Yes. Dedicated music servers with compatible USB-A audio outputs are a typical application.
Can I use it with an external DAC?
Yes, where the DAC provides a compatible USB-B digital audio input.
Are the conductors silver plated?
Yes. Chord Company specifies silver-plated signal and power conductors.
Are the power and data conductors shielded separately?
Yes. The power conductors are separately shielded from the signal conductors.
Does it also have an overall shield?
Yes. Chord Company adds overall shielding around the cable in addition to its internal shielding.
What insulation does Shawline USB use?
A specialised hard-skin polyethylene developed for high-speed signal transfer.
Does Shawline USB use ARAY technology?
Yes. Chord Company specifies a specially developed version of its ARAY conductor geometry for Shawline USB.
Is it Tuned ARAY?
Chord Company's current product page describes the cable simply as using a specially developed version of ARAY conductor geometry rather than specifically naming it Tuned ARAY.
What connector plating does it use?
Current Shawline USB cables use ChorAlloy-plated USB connectors.
Is Shawline USB available with USB-C?
No. Chord Company states that its heavier-gauge Shawline construction makes a mechanically reliable USB-C termination impractical.
Is there a Micro-USB version?
No, for the same mechanical reason.
What should I buy if I need USB-C?
Chord Company offers USB-C configurations in its C-series and Clearway USB ranges.
What is the standard length?
1 metre.
Can I order a longer Shawline USB?
Yes. Chord Company supports custom lengths to order.
Does Shawline USB carry the USB 5V power connection?
Yes. It contains both signal and power conductors, with the power section separately shielded from the signal conductors.
Can I use Shawline USB if my DAC has its own power supply?
Yes, provided the DAC supports the standard USB connection. Some independently powered DACs still use the USB 5V line for detection or handshaking.
Can Shawline USB convert USB to coaxial digital?
No. It is a USB cable and does not perform digital-format conversion.
Is Shawline USB an analogue cable?
No. It carries USB digital data between compatible devices.
What is below Shawline USB?
C-USB and Clearway USB provide more affordable alternatives, with both ranges also offering USB-C configurations.
What is above Shawline USB?
Epic USB is the next major step, adding four silver-plated conductors, FEP insulation, Tuned ARAY technology and more elaborate shielding.
Is Shawline USB still current?
Yes. It remains part of Chord Company's current Shawline and USB digital-audio ranges.
Can Audio T help check compatibility?
Yes. Give us the exact make and model of the source and DAC and we can check whether Shawline USB has the correct connection.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help checking USB-A and USB-B compatibility
- Computer-audio setup advice
- Music-server and DAC guidance
- Help choosing the correct USB cable length
- C-USB, Clearway, Shawline and Epic USB comparison advice
- USB-C alternative guidance
- Custom Shawline USB length enquiries
- Complete digital-source system advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like help checking whether Shawline USB is suitable for your source and DAC or comparing it with C-USB, Clearway USB and Epic USB.