Audience Au24 "e" is an enhancement on the
much acclaimed AU24 Cables. As 10 Audio state..
"We
usually associate an increase in detail or resolution with some unwanted
side effect, such as dryness, thinness, brightness, or some other negative
“-ness” that is a definite compromise. Get more of “this”,
but less of “that”. With the new “e” cable,
there is more of the “this”, but no less of the “that”.
There is an increase of smoothness, detail and resolution all across
the frequency range without any sense, even a subtle one, that any compromise
has been made. But make no mistake, for a small increase in cost the
higher level of musical enjoyment is substantial."
10 Audio March 2008
The
Au24 cables attain the elusive goal of combining exquisite sonic detail
with the beauty of true musicality. This is due in large part to the
Au24’s incredible time domain performance. One look will tell
you these are not "me too" products. The materials, design
and construction techniques utilized in the Au24 cable line reflect
the latest thinking in state of the art, high-resolution technology.
Contributing
to the excellent time domain characteristics of the Au24e cables are
high quality materials and proper configuration. Most audiophiles are
aware of the importance of good insulating and conducting materials.
The
Au24 cables are constructed of OHNO continuous cast single crystal copper
conductors with polypropylene insulation and cross-linked polyethylene
jacket material. Relatively few people are aware of the role geometric
configuration plays. If a given cable is not optimally configured to
perform the task it was designed to do it will never sound as good as
a cable with the correct physical/electrical characteristics regardless
of which exotic materials are used in its construction. All Audience
cables and especially the Au24 series are designed for low eddy-current
resistance. This is the key electrical characteristic for good time
response. Eddy-currents are created by the magnetic field found around
a cable when an electrical signal is present. This magnetic field builds
up and collapses as the signal varies. When the field collapses it induces
an opposing voltage back into the cable. This opposing voltage causes
eddy-currents in the conductor. If they could be seen, eddy-currents
would look like swirling water in a river. This late arriving, opposing
voltage disrupts the original signal by inducing a time-smearing artifact.
These effects are clearly audible. Cables that sound "detailed"
or "powerful in the bass" are usually victims of high eddy-currents.
Eddy currents plus high capacitance can cause a cable to sound overly
"relaxed." The particular type of coloration caused by eddy-currents
is dependent on the materials, construction techniques and the geometric
configuration of the cable. The Au24 cables exhibit extremely low eddy–current
resistance.
Many
cables are designed for the lowest possible capacitance. Other cables
are designed for the lowest possible inductance. Actually, for properly
balanced sound reproduction these inductive and capacitive values should
both be minimized and the ratio of inductance to capacitance (L:C) must
be optimized. By designing for the lowest possible eddy-current resistance
at the correct specific frequency, proper L:C ratio is naturally arrived
at and both of these properties are minimized. The result is natural
reproduction as heard in real life without added emphasis or editorializing.
The Au24 cables may not sound as exciting at first but the virtues become
apparent as the listener becomes familiar with them. Perhaps even more
importantly, the musical overtones arrive in their proper time relationship
with the fundamentals. This creates a more convincing illusion of reality
and improves sound staging. For example, when properly recorded, a drummer’s
cymbals will now be placed back with the rest of the drum kit instead
of appearing to emanate from the speakers.
There
is a common misconception that loudspeaker cable must be large in diameter
and have a low DC resistance in order to provide good bass response.
DC resistance is relatively unimportant. What really matters is the
characteristic impedance (AC resistance) of the cable. Music is an AC
signal after all. Most of these large diameter/low DC resistance cables
have excessively high characteristic impedance anywhere from 100 to
600 ohms with some measuring in the 1000’s of ohms. The Au24 Loudspeaker
Cable is only 4mm or 1/8" in diameter. Although the DC resistance
may be slightly higher than the garden hose variety speaker cables the
characteristic impedance is only 16 ohms. Musical signals from the bass
to the overtones pass through this cable with less actual impedance
than a cable with a lower DC resistance. The Au24 Loudspeaker Cable
provides nearly perfect bass timbre and extension. Plus, the low eddy-current
resistance means the cable is very quick and linear in the time domain.
Voices and instruments sound strikingly real with this loudspeaker cable.
In
developing the Au24 line we discovered how important simplicity is when
highest possible performance is the design goal. Fancier connectors
and layers of cosmetic sleeve would have made the cable look more expensive.
However every time we made it look better it sounded worse. We were
truly amazed at the sonically detrimental effects caused by bulky high-end
connectors. The lessons learned with the Au24 cables have now been applied
to our lower and mid-priced cables as well. Audience
exclusive Au24e RCA connectors are used on all cables requiring RCA
termination. These simple, high quality connectors are far less colored
than bulkier, fancier connectors. Spades shown - Z plugs as standard
to UK. They are an advanced, minimalist design and have excellent grip
and low contact resistance.
Audience
balanced analog and AES/EBU digital interconnects are terminated with
Neutrik XLR plugs. Audience loudspeaker cables are terminated with rhodium
plated spade connectors. Audience will provide custom lengths and termination.
The Au24 cables will begin to sound good after 2 to 3 hours playing
time and will continue to improve for approximately 50 to 100 hours.