User Manual

CABLE THEORY

Page 18

for the negative signal. This black PVC jacketed version of this cable carries a UL CL-3 rating, enabling

it to be used inside walls without conduit.

AudioQuest Diamondback uses two solid PSC conductors, and what a difference

PSC makes. This extremely long grain copper allows for clarity and dynamics simply

not possible with lesser materials. Double Balanced Hyperlitz design welded connectors

and superior materials make this blue and black textile braided cable a great value.

AudioQuest Coral is a Triple Balanced cable featuring Hyperlitz construction. Coral

uses three solid PSC copper conductors, each insulated with foamed Polyethylene.

When used single-ended (with RCA plugs), one conductor carries the positive audio

signal, two carry the negative. The 100% coverage shield is only attached at one end

so that it is not used as an inferior audio conductor.

When used with balanced equipment (XLR type connectors), one conductor is used for each of the

three signals (positive non-inverted, positive-inverted and the reference ground). The shield is con-

nected to the case of the XLR at both ends to ensure ideal chassis to chassis grounding.

The audible differences resulting from multiple single construction, PSC copper, and not using the

shield to carry audio information are dramatic. Coral is available with either the superb AQ #788 RCA

plug or with AudioQuest custom #20 and #21 XLR plugs both color coordinated to match Coral’s dis-

tinctive black and red braided jacket.

When a double balanced (or twin axial) cable is used “single ended” (with one RCA plug on each end)

the shield is not used as an audio conductor, it is only grounded at one end. This provides complete

shield coverage while preventing the shield from being used as an inferior audio conductor.

When a double balanced cable is used with balanced electronics, it usually has XLR connectors on

both ends. One conductor is used for each of the two positive signals, and the shield is used for ground.

To us, this is a step backwards: the reference ground is just as sensitive to distortion mechanisms as

the positive signals and so deserves exactly the same respect. For this reason (and for better perfor-

mance when used with RCA plugs) all cables from Coral and above are triple balanced.

An XLR plug can make four possible connections. AQ triple balanced cables use the three pins or sock-

ets to connect the reference ground and the inverting and non-inverting positive signals. The case of

the XLR is used to connect the shield to chassis ground.

The AudioQuest #700 series RCA plugs and most CinemaQuest RCA plugs employ a patented design

which eliminates extra internal contacts, ensures a large self-wiping (self-cleaning) contact area, and

provides extraordinary strain-relief. Very thick high purity silver plating actually provides a superior par-

allel conducting path. For the same reason Hybrid design works so well in many of the AQ/CQ speaker

cables, it also makes for superior plug performance. All the same plugs are resistance welded to their

respective cables in a process which actually commingles the molecules of the cable and plug into

a single alloy. 8,000 amperes of current are put through the cable plug interface over a period of 33

millionths of a second. The extremely localized super-heating causes the metals to melt and become

one.