Alpha Design Labs GT-C2 NCF USB Type-C to C Cable (0.14m)

Available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, the Alpha Design Labs (ADL) GT-C2 NCF is a short-run USB 2.0 Type-C to Type-C cable engineered to audiophile standards for use between portable DACs, DAPs, and source devices. At just 0.14m in length, it is purpose-built for direct, low-mass connections — minimising cable resonance and signal path length simultaneously. The GT-C2 NCF uses ADL's Silver α (Alpha) OCC copper-silver hybrid alloy conductors, 24k gold-plated non-magnetic connectors, and triple-layer shielding to address the noise and interference that degrade USB audio transmission in high-performance portable and desktop hi-fi systems.

Dual-Conductor Architecture — Separate SYNC and POWER

The GT-C2 NCF uses two distinct conductor specifications optimised for their respective roles in USB transmission. The SYNC conductor (data) is a 28AWG (7/0.127) Silver α OCC wire — finer gauge for accurate, low-capacitance data signal transmission. The POWER conductor is a heavier 24AWG (19/0.127) Silver α OCC wire — a higher strand count and larger cross-section to minimise resistance and voltage drop on the power supply line. Separating and specifying these conductors independently ensures that power delivery and signal integrity are each optimised without compromise, in contrast to standard USB cables where all conductors share a single generic specification.

Silver α (Alpha) OCC — Furutech's Conductor Technology

ADL's parent company Furutech developed the α (Alpha) OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) process — a copper-silver hybrid alloy conductor drawn using the OCC method, which produces extremely long crystal grains that minimise grain boundaries in the conductor path. Each grain boundary is a point of signal distortion and resistance; reducing their number with OCC geometry improves both the accuracy of the data signal and the cleanliness of the power supply. The Alpha treatment — a two-stage cryogenic and demagnetisation process — further relieves internal stress in the conductor metal, improving conductivity and reducing noise.

Triple-Layer Shielding — Aluminium Foil + Copper Braid

The GT-C2 NCF uses a three-layer shielding structure combining aluminium foil and copper braiding. This provides comprehensive rejection of both high-frequency electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) — sources of the noise floor degradation that typically separates a standard USB cable from an audiophile-grade one in sensitive digital audio applications. Effective shielding is particularly important in short portable connections where the cable is in close proximity to switching power supplies in DACs and source devices.

Key Features

• USB 2.0 Type-C to Type-C — 0.14m straight connector, ultra-short for portable/DAC use
• SYNC conductor: Silver α OCC, 28AWG (7/0.127) — optimised for low-capacitance data transmission
• POWER conductor: Silver α OCC, 24AWG (19/0.127) — optimised for minimal voltage drop and power delivery
• α (Alpha) OCC = Ohno Continuous Casting copper-silver hybrid alloy — long crystal grain, minimal grain boundaries
• Triple-layer shielding: aluminium foil + copper braiding — effective EMI/RFI isolation
• Non-magnetic α connectors — 24k gold-plated contacts and 24k gold-plated copper alloy conductive body
• Thick gold plating — minimal contact resistance, long-term reliability
• Flame-retardant, RoHS-compliant flexible PVC inner jacket
• High-quality nylon yarn braided outer sleeve — improved damping and durability

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would a USB cable affect sound quality?

A standard USB cable transmits data as a digital signal, but it also carries a power supply line that shares the same cable bundle. Noise on the power supply line — from electromagnetic interference, ground loops, or voltage fluctuations — can couple into a DAC's internal power supply, raising its noise floor and degrading audio performance. Additionally, poor conductor quality and inadequate shielding can introduce jitter and signal degradation in the data line itself, particularly in longer cable runs. The GT-C2 NCF addresses both vectors: triple shielding blocks external interference, and the dual optimised conductor specification separates and improves both the data and power lines.

What is the difference between the SYNC and POWER conductors on the GT-C2 NCF?

USB cables carry four conductors: two for data (D+ and D−) and two for power (VBUS and GND). In the GT-C2 NCF, the data conductors use 28AWG Silver α OCC wire — finer for lower capacitance and accurate signal timing. The power conductors use 24AWG Silver α OCC wire — heavier gauge for lower resistance and stable power delivery to the DAC. Standard USB cables use the same generic wire for all four conductors, compromising both.

What devices is the ADL GT-C2 NCF suitable for?

The GT-C2 NCF is designed for USB-C audio connections — primarily between portable DAC/amp units and smartphones, DAPs (digital audio players), laptops, or tablets with USB-C outputs. The 0.14m length is ideal for direct device-to-device connections worn together or placed adjacent on a desk, minimising cable mass and resonance.

Why is the GT-C2 NCF only 0.14m long?

Short USB cables reduce the total loop area of the cable — which directly reduces susceptibility to electromagnetic interference pickup. They also minimise cable capacitance and inductance, which can affect signal timing at the margins. For portable DAC applications where the source device and DAC are adjacent, a 0.14m cable is the acoustically optimal choice.

Where can I buy the ADL GT-C2 NCF USB-C cable in Toronto, Canada?

The Alpha Design Labs GT-C2 NCF USB Type-C cable is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Contact us for current pricing and availability.