[gp7]

I've had on/off problems for a couple years now with a usb powered audio interface (focusrite 2i2) causing popping sounds from speakers--recognisable as a DC thump but happening every few hours. Once I fixed it by using a powered usb hub, but a change in PC hardware made it come back. Eventually I found a support post from the manufacturer saying that you had to use the provided USB cable, and that others weren't supported. I'd changed mine for ergonomic reasons (it's short as hell) and this turned out to be the problem.

I've been wanting to know exactly what's different about the usb cable for a while. And if other devices expecting a standard cable might have problems using it.