My take is that Iconoclast designs optimize inductance and capacitance in a way to reduce the effect of delay of audible frequencies which can occur when not optimized. The end result is a cable that to my ears preserves the air, space, and dynamics of a recording.
Many cables are not built this way. They are constructed to pass a signal as cheaply as possible.
“Impedance” R+jX confuses a lot of ppl even with EE background. vs Resistance just R. then you throw in +j and -j (inductive vs capacitive)… It took me years to get a grasp after working with AC on a daily basis.
And at RF impedance is SQRT (L/C) so no reactance…it is just “R”. We terminate into a pure resistor. This is why digital works as well as it does. We mostly have attenuation. An Eye patter is distorted in the time base by ISI, not resistive amplitude base, and Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) that “closes” the eye. Very carefully circuit transmitter and receiver design attacks ISI.
Blue Jeans Cables offer these - are they a related business? The website looks similar.
They use a different connector. The ones I bought use the cables used by Iconoclast.
As an alternative to Belden 1800F, we now offer the popular Canare L-4E6S “star quad” balanced audio cable. This cable uses two pairs of conductors in a quad configuration for better common mode noise rejection, surrounded by a full tinned copper braid. The capacitance of the star quad design is higher than for a single-pair cable, but its noise rejection characteristics are excellent. For most applications, we recommend the 1800F, but if you are dealing with induced noise problems, the star quad cable may be a better choice.
Blue Jeans Cable assembles and sells Iconoclast cables. Further details are best provided by BJC reps.
Regarding induced noise problems, wire in addition to providing signal between components also acts as an antenna picking up stray electromagnetic emissions. For example electromagnetic fields from adjacent power cables, especially if they are parallel to the signal cable. Same goes for RF frequencies from servers, routers, digital clocks, etc. Several means to reject these emissions are provided for by shielding and/or a balanced interconnection. Star-Quad connection also provides a means to reject external noise. Longer interconnect runs are more susceptible to picking up induced noise. Long runs is where implementing balanced cable or star-quad cable excels in comparison to single ended cable.
With respect, I don’t know what R L C components are, what potential voltage is, what inductors or capacitors are (except you get lots of them in amplifiers to store electricity), phase shift, and so on. I graduated in Economics. I never studied anything about electronic circuits or components.
I suspect I am in the vast majority of people in knowing nothing about electronics. My younger son, who studied history, politics and diplomacy, and mainly works in political intelligence, has almost complete ignorance of the physical world. It’s almost comical. His very large brain cannot comprehend it at all.
I have a book on audio. I like it because when I’m completely lost it’s helpful.
There is a big section at the back that I think I should read sometime. It starts at the base level I need. As he says, you need to know the vocabulary before you can get anywhere.
Thank you @weedeewop , that’s enormously helpful. Seems like I chose the right cables.
BJC stated L4E6S is higher capacitance. I looked it up and it was double that of Belden 1800F. What I did not know - is it important?
Your article stated:
“A high-capacitance cable can result in a greater high frequency loss in long cable runs (such as 60-80 feet or longer).”
Well, my cable runs are 3 feet and at 59 I can’t hear anything close to the 15khz it referred to later on. So, very simply, the higher capacitance referred to by BJC seems an irrelevance.
In other respects, the Canare L4E6S does a lot of good things, like eliminating noise very effectively.
At those capacitance values per foot at three feet the difference between the two is irrelevant. Your ears may say otherwise, comparing in your system is best. Also, for a three foot run star-quad balanced is not likely needed unless you are dealing with noticeable magnetic interference.
Star Quad gives the cable Vp alignment variables not available with two conductor XLR designs. It isn’t just capacitance alone.
This is why the series I and series II XLR use star quad, to improve the Vp properties and still provide low loop DCR for long runs. The series II has even better Vp alignment and lower DCR but with a more complex design.
And yes, the damage cables do is also definitely by the foot! Shorter is better to an extent. There is a length, 1 meter or so, that shorter isn’t an appreciable advantage.
Also be aware that we can make a cable shorter but never longer once cut. We remind people that moves and changes can run into length problems so don’t make your cables too custom to a fault.
Greetings all. Over the last 5+ years I have been blessed to receive countless notes and letters that might be considered “testimonials” from very happy and satisfied customers. We are putting the finishing touches on a “Customer Testimonials” tab on our website. And though it’s not yet visible it is there…but empty😥. This is my fault!
Sadly, I’ve been remiss in keeping these accolades though from time to time I would ask a customer if it would be alright to use their words on our site. I thought it would be easy to go back through emails to find a few but when I started it became a “daunting” task. 6,327 emails is a lot to scan!
If there are those and if this request is appropriate, who might be willing to give a sentence, a paragraph or a volume then I would be truly grateful! I really wish I had created a file to save these emails and texts since the notes I’ve received over the years have been truly great.
By the way, a customer testimonial doesn’t necessarily have to be positive. If you’ve tried Galen’s designs and found them to be less than expected then we should also post those comments as well.
I’m/we’re grateful for all of you and any help with this is appreciated!
Hi Bob,
I’d be glad to help you out. I’ll dig through our conversations (if I still have them) and send you some feedback.
Awesome products, people and support.
Vern
Good morning, it sure has been a quiet start to the summer months. I suppose most audiophiles are out enjoying the summer and taking vacations like our friend Luca. Did you see the pics he posted of his trip to Sicily on the boat and the spaghetti and lobster dinner he had? Wow!
This week is the Pacific Audio Fest. Galen is flying to Seattle tomorrow and looking forward to seeing old friends and answering questions on our cables. Our venue is located in the “Marketplace, booth #8.” This year it will be Galen, Kurt and Andrew at the table. Please come by and say hello.
Most of you are familiar with Michael Fremer. He is one of the “good guys,” and has been an audio staple for many years. In addition to his move back to The Absolute Sound as Senior Editor, Michael restarted his online “Tracking Angle” site where he’s as active as ever. www.trackingangle.com
Word has it, that a new Iconoclast review on both speaker cables and IC’s is in progress. We would be most grateful for a review at this level!
Have a great week and safe travels to those attending the PAF!
I am sad to say that I am not going. I was 100% ready to go but a new work obligation has gotten in the way. It’s too bad, the flight is a quick 50 minutes from here.