| Research & Development | | | | In a quality interconnect, all of these |
| | | | processes are done by hand, one cable at a |
| I began designing audio and video | | | | time. This combination of quality parts and |
| interconnect cables in 1988. I was asked to | | | | craftsmanship is essential to the manufacture |
| develop custom interconnects for | | | | of a superior interconnect. |
| discriminating audio and videophiles, who | | | | |
| wanted to see and hear the quality of their | | | | Low Capacitance |
| components and the source material without | | | | |
| added personality from their interconnects. | | | | Research indicates that Low Capacitance is |
| The cables I constructed were created to | | | | the most relevant aspect of design for Analog |
| solve two specific problems in interconnect | | | | or Digital Audio and Video Interconnect |
| design. Prior to this point these problems | | | | Cables. Capacitance is determined by the |
| had not been addressed in the ever-changing | | | | number and thickness of the center conductors |
| field of high-end audio/video. The first was | | | | in relationship to the outside shield. The |
| the subtle size difference of the RCA | | | | material and thickness of the dielectric |
| connectors used in the manufacture of mid-fi | | | | insulation also determines capacitance. Low |
| and high-end components. The second was the | | | | Capacitance custom cable provides the best |
| inherent loss of information through long | | | | imaging and sound staging in analog audio and |
| runs of cable. It was also important that | | | | digital audio as well as the most accurate |
| the interconnects allow our clients the | | | | contrast and definition in video. This is |
| freedom to combine components regardless of | | | | especially true where long cable runs are |
| the type of connectors utilized by the | | | | required. |
| various manufacturers. The custom cables had | | | | |
| to carry information without signal loss and | | | | Over the years, speaker wire manufacturers |
| not be limited to short runs. The custom | | | | have shown the importance of heavy gauge wire |
| cables had to be extremely flexible and | | | | between the amplifier and the speakers to |
| durable to adapt for custom installations. | | | | reduce resistance in the signal path. This |
| Most importantly they had to maintain state | | | | notion of "The Heavier The Better" has |
| of the art quality while remaining cost | | | | erroneously been passed on to purchasers of |
| effective. | | | | interconnect cables for their components. |
| | | | When dealing with low millivolt signals from |
| End Connectors | | | | component to component, Low Capacitance |
| | | | (measured in picofarads) is the most relevant |
| Each connector must tolerate the extreme | | | | specification in cutting signal loss. It is |
| heat generated by the melting of silver | | | | not necessary for interconnect cables to be |
| solder at the point of termination. The | | | | bulky and hard to use. In fact, Low |
| connector used should be chosen for its | | | | Capacitance Interconnects are rarely heavy |
| compatibility with the wire. Proper strain | | | | gauge and can be very flexible. Flexibility |
| relief is also a crucial factor in | | | | enables a cable to be angled to whatever |
| interconnect design. It is important that the | | | | configuration necessary, without affecting |
| wire and connector have a seamless | | | | the integrity of the design. |
| integration. Every pair should be matched and | | | | |
| tested for continuity and fit. The connection | | | | A cable should be selected for its purity, |
| should then be insulated with heatshrink, to | | | | flexibility, durability, capacitance and |
| protect against contamination and to create a | | | | individual specifications for its designated |
| more durable termination. | | | | application. |
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