CV-4 with NEW Dielectric-Bias System might look like a normal round cable,
but inside is a fully optimized combination of extraordinary materials and
extremely refined design.
Dielectric-Bias System (DBS, patent pending): Unfortunately, because
insulation stores and releases energy, it is also a “dielectric.” In a cable
application, all released energy is distortion. The misnomer “break-in” is often
used to describe the pronounced improvement in performance as the dielectric
adapts to a charged state as the cable is used. Whenever a cable does not have a
charge on it, it is re-adapting to an uncharged state; it is becoming new again.
By maintaining a 36 volt dielectric-bias, far above the voltage of delicate
audio signals, the DBS system provides considerably better transparency and
dynamics than is possible even from a cable in continuous use. It takes a couple
of weeks for the DBS system to reach maximum performance. Since DBS battery
packs are attached when Mont Blanc cables are first terminated, Mont Blanc will
be approaching or at peak performance by the time it is installed in your
system. Since there is no “load” on the two standard hardware-store batteries,
they will last for years. A test button and LED allow for occasional
verification of battery performance.
Conductors: All four of CV-4’s conductors are solid. Electrical and
magnetic interaction between strands in a conventional cable is the single
greatest source of distortion, often causing a somewhat harsh, dirty and
confused sound. Solid conductors are the most important ingredients enabling
CV-4’s very clear sound. Whether a conductor is solid or stranded, skin-effect
is a prime distortion mechanism in speaker cables. CV-4 very simply keeps this
effect out of the audio range by using conductor sizes that are below the
threshold for audible distortion.
SST (Spread Spectrum Technology): Any single size or shape of conductor
has a specific distortion profile. Even though radially symmetrical conductors
(solid round or tubular) have the fewest discontinuities, any particular size
does have a sonic signature. SST is a method for significantly reducing the
awareness of these character flaws by using a precise combination of different
size conductors. SST has enabled CV-4 to be the biggest possible four conductor
cable that avoids audible skin-effect.
Metal: CV-4’s PSC (Perfect Surface Copper) has an astonishingly smooth
and pure surface. Proprietary metal processing technology protects the wire’s
surface at every stage of drawing and fabrication. When high-purity low-oxide
copper is kept as soft, pure and smooth as possible, it becomes a wonderfully
low distortion conductor. For fifteen years AudioQuest has pioneered the use of
superior metals; yet even we were surprised by the huge leap in performance. PSC
clearly outperforms previous AQ metals that cost over ten times as much.
All drawn metal exhibits directionality, whether in hardware store wire or in
the best AQ cable. We wish we could design away this awkwardness. Since we
can’t, we pay close attention to optimizing performance by clearly marking the
cables and our terminations. Please watch for these markings when installing any
audio cables.
Geometry: The relationship between conductors defines a cable’s most
basic electrical values (capacitance and inductance). However, even when those
variables are kept in a reasonable balance, the relationship between conductors
can be varied in ways that greatly effect the sound. The spiral construction of
CV-4 allows for significantly better dynamic contrast and information
intelligibility than if the same conductors were run in parallel. The specific
4-cross geometry used in CV-4 maximizes this advantage.
Insulation: In a low level cable the insulating material significantly
affects the cable’s performance. However, in a speaker cable the electrical
effect of insulation is almost only heard as a dry irritating sound prior to a
cable being fully “run-in” … technically “adapting to a charged state.” The term
“break-in” does not apply because taking away the charge will slowly return the
cable to its “new” condition. The insulation’s mechanical (hard vs. soft)
properties make an important difference in stranded cables. The harder the
better in order to minimize strand movement. Since solid conductors don’t need
hard insulation, they can take advantage of the vibration damping advantage of a
softer insulation.
Terminations: AudioQuest offers a wide range of high quality connectors
that allow CV-4 to be securely attached to any type of equipment. “Quality” is
in the low distortion sound, not necessarily in the eye-candy effect. AQ ends
are either a dull looking gold or silver because these metals are plated
directly over the connector. There is no shiny and harsh sounding nickel layer
underneath. AQ spade lugs are soft because better metal is soft, and facilitates
a higher quality connection. AQ spade lugs are available in several sizes. AQ
Benda-Pins fit all equipment, except pieces requiring a banana plug or BFA
connector, in which case the AQ Crimp BFA/Banana provides unprecedented
performance at a fraction the cost of those not-so-good sounding big eye-candy
versions.
CV-4 Biwire Jumpers are available to use when a single CV-4 is used with a
biwirable speaker. These Jumpers have 100% trade-in value towards a second set
of cable. A combination of these major ingredients, and many more subtle details
add up to explain how even an affordable cable like CV-4 can sound so good.