Holophonic-PC™ Single-Ended Interconnects
Holophonic-PC interconnects are our new reference for SE analog interconnects. This is absolutely the best sounding interconnect that we have ever developed. The bare conductors cause less dispersion (smearing) in the audio signal than fully or partially insulated conductors, improving both high and low-frequency resolution, focus and dynamics. Holophonic interconnects have bare conductors with air dielectric between them, achieving the extremely low capacitance per unit length. The low capacitance of the Holophonic prevents degradation of dynamic, transient music passages, while preserving detail. This makes the Holophonic exceptional for use with passive line-stages and tube equipment. 99.99% pure Silver conductors in a custom stranded configuration optimize high and low-frequency response by minimizing skin-effect and stranding effects. If you are looking for the ultimate in detail without high-frequency brightness or sibilance, this interconnect delivers this in spades.
Perfect Crystal (PC)
Perfect Crystal silver is created by using more processing steps in the fabrication of the conductors and assembly of the cables. Perfect Crystal provides extremely low sibilance and improved focus resulting in more bass impact. PC silver also makes female vocalists sound liquid and live, not hissy. Systems that are already overly bright are excellent candidates for PC silver. PC silver does not have that characteristic high-frequency brightness or sharpness generally attributed to silver wires. This results in detail and blackness between instruments without sibilance.
Holophonic-PC unshielded interconnects are terminated with Silver Eichmann Bullet RCA-type connectors which have Solid Silver contacts. These contacts insure reliable long-term connections. The center connector contact is hollow, further reducing skin-effect.
Oxidation of bare-wire conductors is a concern of some audiophiles. We have never experienced any degradation of our interconnects over time due to oxidation. This is because silver oxides are generally good conductors. However, just to insure that more harsh environments do not cause degradation over time, the conductors in Holophonic interconnects are sealed in an air-tight chamber with corrosion inhibitors inside. Holophonics require 10-20 hours of play-time to fully break-in.
Holophonic-PC’s simply bring the music to life, even mediocre recordings. The highs are like a breath of fresh air and the bass is tight, articulate and punchy. If you don’t feel the bass guitar and kick-drum in your gut now, you will with these interconnects. CDs, DVDs and SACDs simply sparkle with clarity. Those lyrics that you never could understand in your favorite recordings will become highly intelligible, even the lyrics that the backup singers are singing. No more need to pull-out the CD jackets to understand the lyrics anymore. Holophonic interconnects are so spectacular that it is difficult to put it into words. Holophonics will unlock the performance potential of your components!
Holophonic-PC Specifications
The following nominal specifications are provided for comparison purposes. They are not guaranteed and excursions in any parameter may take place due to manufacturing and material variation, however every effort is made to prevent any such excursions. Empirical Audio® reserves the right to modify any of the specified parameters without notice.
| # | Parameter | Value | Frequency | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 1KHz | 10KHz | 100KHz | |||
| 1 | Shunt Capacitance per foot+ | 3.9pF | 3.8pF | 3.7pF | ||
| 2 | Shunt Capacitance per meter+ | 12.8pF | 12.5pF | 12.1pF | ||
| 3 | Series Inductance per foot+ | .34µH | .34µH | .34µH | ||
| 4 | Series Inductance per meter+ | 1.1µH | 1.1µH | 1.1µH | ||
| 5 | Resistance per foot | 29.7mW | ||||
| 6 | Resistance per meter | 97.5mW | ||||
| 7 | Max. Cable Diameter | .57" | ||||
| 8 | Characteristic Impedance++ | W | ||||
| 9 | Pull Strength | 30lbs | ||||
| 10 | Min. Bend Radius (inside measurement) | 1.5" | ||||
| 11 | Min. RCA Jack Spacing | 9/16"OC | ||||
| 12 | Min. Clearance Required Behind Component | 3.5" | ||||
+Measured with an hp 4263B LCR meter
++Provided only for reference - measured with Tektronix 11801B TDR
Holophonic-XPC Balanced Interconnects
Holophonic-XPC is truly a breakthrough in balanced interconnects. Our customers have told us that the Holophonic-XPC competes with interconnects costing 5-10X more, giving it an excellent price/performance ratio. We believe Holophonic-XPC is the most resolving, accurate balanced interconnect on the planet. Holophonic-XPC Balanced XLR interconnects are identical in design to the Holophonics, with addition of a third heavy copper ground conductor. The Holophonic-XPC is terminated with silver-loaded solder to Neutrik XLR connectors with gold-plated contacts. The ground wire is connected at both XLR connectors providing a ground connection through the interconnect.
Holophonix-XPC uses bare conductors which are spaced in an air dielectric. This causes less dispersion in the audio signal than fully or partially insulated conductors, improving both high and low-frequency resolution, focus and dynamics. The low capacitance of the Holophonic-XPC prevents degradation of dynamic, transient music passages, while preserving detail. 99.99% pure Silver conductors in a custom stranded configuration optimize high and low-frequency response by minimizing skin-effect and stranding effects. Holophonic-XPC signal conductors are also identical in geometry and length equalized. This is critical in a balanced interconnect because any skew, material or geometric differences between the two conductors can cause continuous distortion in the signal. This is because balanced signaling derives the signal at the destination by subtracting the two signals electrically. If the two signals are not in phase, the resulting signal will contain significant distortion products not present in the original signal.
Oxidation of bare-wire conductors is a concern of some audiophiles. We have never experienced any degradation of our interconnects over time due to oxidation. However, just to insure that more harsh environments do not cause degradation over time, the conductors in Holophonic-XPC interconnects are sealed in an air-tight chamber with corrosion inhibitors inside.
Balanced Interconnect Basics
Single-Ended interconnects have a two-wire system as opposed to the Balanced three wire system. In Single-Ended interconnects, the signal wire and the ground wire (or shield in the case of coaxial construction) form a complete circuit, so both conductors carry signal currents. The ground wire or shield also serves the purpose of bringing the potential of the two components to the same level.
Balanced interconnects have three conductors, two for carrying signal currents and one for grounding the two chassis together. Current flows in the two signal conductors, but not in the ground conductor. One signal conductor carries a plus signal and the other a minus signal. The two signals are inverted versions of each other. Both + and - signals are used at the component input to resolve the signal by subtracting the two signals. The advantage of this subtraction is that any noise that is common and the same polarity on the + and - signals will be subtracted-out. This is know as “common-mode” noise. Most 60 Hz hum and system-caused hiss is common-mode as well as some RF that might be picked-up. Balanced connectors also have the advantage that there is a male and a female connector, so they cannot be plugged in wrong and the connectors themselves are mate-able allowing longer lengths to be built from shorter lengths. The pin convention most often used is + on pin 2, - on Pin 3 and ground on pin 1. This is the way that stock Holophonics are wired.
Our experience in testing a variety of different components with balanced inputs and outputs has convinced us that low-capacitance interconnects are just as important in balanced configurations than in unbalanced (single-ended) configurations. It is a widely held perception that balanced interconnects can be longer than SE without degradation. This is simply not true. The only advantage of balanced over SE is the inherent noise rejection properties. Whether balanced is the optimum solution for your particular system is dependent on the design of the balanced inputs and outputs of your components. We recommend that you audition both configurations and choose the one that sounds better.
Holophonic-XPC Specifications
The following nominal specifications are provided for comparison purposes. They are not guaranteed and excursions in any parameter may take place due to manufacturing and material variation, however every effort is made to prevent any such excursions. Empirical Audio reserves the right to modify any of the specified parameters without notice.
| # | Parameter | Value | Frequency | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 1KHz | 10KHz | 100KHz | |||
| 1 | Shunt Capacitance per foot+ | 3.8pF | 3.8pF | 3.8pF | ||
| 2 | Shunt Capacitance per meter+ | 12.5pF | 12.5pF | 12.5pF | ||
| 3 | Series Inductance per foot+ | .34µH | .34µH | .34µH | ||
| 4 | Series Inductance per meter+ | 1.1µH | 1.1µH | 1.1µH | ||
| 5 | Resistance per foot | 27.7mW | ||||
| 6 | Resistance per meter | 91mW | ||||
| 7 | Max. Cable Diameter | .68" | ||||
| 8 | Characteristic Impedance++ | 135W | ||||
| 9 | Pull Strength | 30lbs | ||||
| 10 | Min. Bend Radius (inside measurement) | 1.5" | ||||
| 11 | Min. Clearance Required Behind Component | 4" | ||||
+Measured with an hp 4263B LCR meter
++Provided only for reference - measured with Tektronix 11801B TDR
Warranty
Holophonic interconnects are offered with a 30-day unconditional return policy. If the interconnects are not cosmetically damaged, electrically altered or abused, they can be returned for a full refund within 30 days of date of original shipment. Customer pays return shipping. Refunds will be mailed within 5 working days of product return.
Holophonic interconnects are further warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 3 years from the shipment date. If a failure is found in the product, the customer must first notify Empirical Audio by Email. The customer will be responsible for shipping the product back to Empirical Audio. Empirical Audio will replace or repair a defective product within the 3 year warranty period. After evaluation of the returned product, if Empirical Audio determines that misuse, alteration or abuse did not cause the failure, the customer will receive a working cable, which may be the repaired unit. If misuse, alteration or abuse is indicated, the customer will have the option of a repair fee determined by Empirical Audio depending on the extent of the damage. Empirical Audio will not be responsible for failure of related equipment as a result of a cable shorting due to excessive stress, crushing or sharp bending. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser and is not transferrable.