Atlas Ailsa Duo 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable
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Item code: Ailsa Duo XLR
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SPEAKER CABLES:
A quantity of 2 means you will receive a pair of speaker cables e.g. for your front left and front right speakers. By entering a quantity of 1, you will get a cable for a single speaker e.g. centre speaker and this option also enables you to vary the length (and termination) of your cable for each speaker.
OTHER CABLES:
A quantity of 1 means you will receive a single cable in the case of aerial, satellite, subwoofer, digital coaxial & optical cables and a pair of cables in the case of 2 rca to 2 rca analogue audio cables.
NON-CABLE PRODUCTS:
A quantity of 1 means you will receive 1 of the specified products.
Order before 4pm (Mon–Fri) for same-day dispatch
Atlas Ailsa Duo 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable
The Atlas Ailsa Duo XLR steps up from the Hyper Duo with one significant change: solid-core OCC copper conductors in place of stranded construction. Solid-core conductors offer lower distortion and greater consistency than multi-strand equivalents, and combined with the Ohno Continuous Casting process, which draws an exceptionally long crystal grain structure along the full length of the wire, the result is a signal path with minimal impedance and high fidelity to the original recording. PEF (Foamed Polyethylene) insulation keeps signal loss low and bandwidth wide, and the Duo screening topology gives each conductor its own independent precision-woven OFC screen, with both drained directly to ground. This arrangement provides comprehensive 360-degree RFI rejection without the screen distortion that occurs when conventional screened cables are prepared for termination, a physical compromise that measurably affects impedance and audible performance.
Termination is via dark chrome aluminium alloy XLR connectors with silver-plated OCC copper pins, matched in material to the cable conductors themselves to maintain continuity through the connection. A cold-weld precision crimp joins conductor to pin without solder, avoiding the material inconsistencies and potential impedance variations that soldered joints can introduce. Atlas positions the Ailsa Duo XLR as a cable that carries some of the tonal coherence and accuracy associated with their higher-end Mavros and Arran ranges, making it a well-considered step up for listeners wanting more from a balanced interconnect without moving to flagship pricing.
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"'After a tough start following an eye-wateringly expensive alternative, the Atlas Ailsa Duo OCC made a very powerful impression. It resolves mountains of detail into a coherent, three-dimensional presentation with nearly perfect timing. Given the build and finish, the price is highly competitive. There can’t be many balanced cables that compete with its imaging and dynamic capabilities." (Read More) Jason Kennedy - The Ear - 2026 Editor's Choice
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Here is what Atlas say about the Ailsa Duo XLR
The Ailsa Duo OCC XLR is a wide-bandwidth solid-core interconnect featuring our new 'Duo' independent dual-drain screen topology, a further refinement of our proven 'dd' dual-drain system.
Designed to maximise the performance of high-performance audio systems using the increasingly popular XLR connectors, the Ailsa XLR Duo features completely separate, independently-screened solid-core OCC copper conductors for 'hot (+) and 'cold‘ (-) connections, enhancing rejection of unwanted signal-degrading ‘noise.’ Solid-core conductors offer significant improvement over multi-strand, with lower distortion and greater consistency in performance.
Termination is with our aluminium alloy ‘dark Chrome’ XLR connectors with silver-plated OCC copper pins. Pins are of the same grade OCC copper as the conductors, which, in tandem with our solder-free cold-weld connection method, ensures excellent signal continuity.
Combined with a precision-twisted assembly – further increasing rejection of RF and EM interference – the XLR Duo offers clear, easily demonstrable performance gains with more than a hint of the coherence and tonal accuracy of our 'High End' Mavros and Arran products.
This latest generation ‘rebooted’ Ailsa reveals a neutral, detailed but engaging presentation without artifice or exaggeration, offering fresh insight into music both new and familiar.
Features:
- Duo Dual Drain Independent Screen
- Cold weld Precision Crimped Termination
- OCC Conductors
- PEF Dielectric
Duo Dual Drain Independent Screen
Our unique Duo and ‘dd’ construction connect the screen without distorting, twisting or mechanically stressing the precision-laid screen, all of which can cause measurable performance anomalies.
We have invested in machinery to quickly and efficiently perform a number of the key stages in our manufacturing process. But working with our dual-drain system is one of those instances where there’s no substitute for the ‘hands-on’ experience of a skilled operator.
Normally screened cables suffer from screen distortion when they are prepared for production. (If you’ve ever wired a plug or connector which uses a screened cable, you've done this yourself, cutting back and probably twisting the screening braid for termination). This distortion of the screen has a measurable impact, effectively changing the impedance and therefore the performance of the cable.
Our ‘dd’ configuration is based on a simplified version of the techniques originally developed for our then top-of-the-range Mavros and Asimi interconnects. Twin symmetrical drain wires (each attached to 180° segments of the plug) are inserted between a 100% copper/Mylar™ foil and screen.
The unique dd system connects the screen effectively to the cable return/plug interface, meaning the cable can be terminated without distorting, twisting or mechanically stressing the precision-laid screen. The benefits are in maintaining a consistent low impedance load to the plug, and a total 360° screening against noise and signal loss caused by RFI (Radio Frequency Interference).
Our Duo symmetrical topology essentially takes our dual-drain approach one step further, with the paired hot and cold conductors surrounded by their own independent precision-woven OFC screen. Each of the screen pairs is then precisely twisted and configured with a common Grun connection, draining both screens directly to ground.
Cold weld Precision Crimped Termination
Our objective is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as one continuous entity, with the minimum of ‘breaks & barriers’ in the signal path.
The Process
We have invested in machinery to quickly and efficiently perform a number of the key stages in our manufacturing process, including precision-crimping of connectors on all types of cable.
We also have a number of identically calibrated hand-tools — there are times when there’s no substitute for the experience of a skilled operator.
Cold-Weld Precision-Calibrated Crimp
We firmly believe there should be the minimum of ‘breaks & barriers’ in the signal path. To this end for example, the pins on our connector plugs will typically be of the same material as the cable conductor, ie. a cable using a OCC Copper conductor will have OCC Copper signal pins.
We consider a precision-calibrated cold-weld connection (where physically possible) to be superior to soldered joints or screw connections. Solder typically introduces an unwanted material barrier and a degree of inconsistency. Screw terminations typically distort/damage the conductor and/or dielectric, adversely affecting the measured characteristics of the cable.
In a cold-weld (solder-free) connection, the metal of the connector plug and the wire are squeezed together under a calibrated pressure to form a robust, consistent, air-tight metal to metal contact with no deformation of the cable dielectric. The result is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as closely as possible to one continuous entity.
OCC Copper
The Ohno continuous casting method re-heats the extrusion as the molten copper is forced out of the mould and very slowly and gradually draws the grain or crystal down the conductor''s length, creating a ‘single crystal structure.’ Actually, because no copper is 100% pure, there will always be a few boundaries produced by impurities. The frequency of boundaries created are quite insignificant. A typical crystal in a copper conductor drawn to 0.3 mm diam. using the OCC process is 125.00 metres long! The benefits are obvious, with almost no crystal boundaries, the audio signal is no longer impeded down the copper wire and more information and detail is delivered faithfully to the receiving equipment. 
PEF Dielectric
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is cheap to produce and, as such, is the most commonly used insulation in AV cables. However, PVC is the worst quality insulation a Hi-Fi or AV signal can encounter as its high loss causes a significant reduction in signal velocity. PVC is better suited to power cables and should be avoided in Hi-Fi and AV signal cables. Other dielectrics in common use are Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polytetrafluoride Epoxy (better known as PTFE (Teflon™) or Teflon,) and the new and unique Atlas (PTFE). PEF (Foamed Polyethylene). The foaming process uses a blowing agent, of which there are two types. Atlas use the gas-foamed method which creates a more inert, consistent and higher quality product. The table below shows the properties of a selection of dielectrics. Though not used as a dielectric in Atlas' cables, PVC is included for comparison purposes.
Specification :
- Construction: Duo Solid
- Conductor: OCC Copper
- Dielectric: PEF
- Screen: Foil/OFC braid
- Capacitance: 40.05 pF/m
- Inductance: 0.798 µH/m
- Resistance: 0.0971 Ohms/m
- Outside Diameter: 4.8 mm (per conductor)
- Colour/Finish: Titanium Grey Fabric
About Atlas Cables 
Atlas Cables are a major producer of interconnects and cables in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. All products are researched, developed and most are assembled in the Atlas purpose built factory in Scotland.
Many of these products are unique and use advanced techniques of production or manufacture in order to bring to the user the very finest quality products. With each new model we continue to push the boundaries of reliability and performance. It's little wonder then, that Atlas Cables have had so many mile-stone advances in the past and that Atlas Cables have secured so many awards in comparative tests against other products.
About Atlas Cables
Scottish cable maker that designs and builds its own conductors, connectors and cables rather than assembling bought-in parts.
Atlas researches, designs and produces its cables in Scotland, with a handful of exceptions. Many cable brands assemble off-the-shelf components, but Atlas specifies the conductors, insulation and terminations itself and tests the result in its own listening room. It offers a five-year guarantee on its cables.
Read more about Atlas Show less
The plugs are Atlas designs too
Atlas designs its own RCA plugs. The Achromatic and Ultra RCAs are built for low mass and high bandwidth, and the newer Metik connectors were developed for personal audio. Designing the connectors in house means Atlas is not limited to what an outside supplier already sells.
Three performance levels, with named ranges in each
The catalogue is arranged in three performance levels. Upgrade covers Element and Equator, Aspire covers Hyper and Ailsa, and High End covers Mavros, Arran, Eos and Zeno. You can choose the level that suits the rest of your system, then move up later without changing brand.
Custom options and a repair service
Atlas lists luxe and speaker termination options, so you can specify a cable to suit the equipment at each end. It also repairs, customises and upgrades its cables through a dedicated service, which means you can bring an older cable up to date instead of replacing it.
Why we stock Atlas
Atlas run pure copper conductors through most of the range rather than silver or silver plating. That gives a warmer, more forgiving balance than the silver-plated cables we sell. If your system is already leaning bright, Atlas is usually where we point you first. Hand-built in Scotland, and we have sold them since 2008.
New cables (even high-quality ones) benefit from a period of signal conditioning before reaching their optimum performance. The dielectric (insulation) around the conductors needs time to stabilise under the electromagnetic field created by signal flow. Rather than leaving this to you, we run cables on our Nordost Vidar burn-in machine before dispatch, up to the equivalent of 200 hours of use, in a fraction of the time. Your cable arrives performance-ready from the first listen.
Specification :
- Construction: Duo Solid
- Conductor: OCC Copper
- Dielectric: PEF
- Screen: Foil/OFC braid
- Capacitance: 40.05 pF/m
- Inductance: 0.798 µH/m
- Resistance: 0.0971 Ohms/m
- Outside Diameter: 4.8 mm (per conductor)
- Colour/Finish: Titanium Grey Fabric
We use Royal Mail 1st Class services for our Standard Delivery.
Orders received before 4.30 pm Monday to Friday are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. This does not apply to custom-length cables and speaker cables as these require a longer timescale to terminate. This also excludes all cables selected for the burn-in service. Please note, we do not process orders on national holidays in the UK. Over 98% of our orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays.
Standard delivery is usually within 2 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays. In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.
All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Future Shop. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD Local or DHL for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order subject to stock availability. For international orders, we use FedEx or DHL services where customers have selected this option.
Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths may be subject to longer deliver time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We offer 'Free delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:
- Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at Future Shop
- Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL).
- Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
- You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
- We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
- FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.
UK Postal & Delivery Charges - FIRST CLASS
Free UK delivery on all orders over £99*
| Weight | Price (FIRST CLASS UK POSTAGE) |
| 0g - 1000g | £3.95 |
| 1000g - 1400g | £4.95 |
| 1400g - 1800g | £5.95 |
| 1800g - 2000g | £6.95 |
| 2000g - 3000g | £8.95 |
* Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.
Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL.
Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day
We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.
Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.
For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.
Channel Islands & Northern Ireland
We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.
European Countries
Deliveries to EU member states are not subject to 20% VAT after December 31st 2020 and therefore the 20% VAT on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.
The customer will be liable for the VAT at the local VAT rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee if applicable. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.
We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 5 working days
- Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7-10 working days
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours
We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.
Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe
Deliveries outside of the UK are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.
If applicable, the customer will be liable for the taxes at the local tax rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.
We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7 to 10 working days
- Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability
- Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets at our discretion
We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free Premium Cable Burn-In Service: Experience the Power of Nordost VIDAR 2 Machine
We are thrilled to unveil our upgraded cable burn-in service, now featuring the cutting-edge VIDAR 2 burn-in machine. At Future Shop, we strive to provide the best possible experience for our customers, and this enhanced service is designed to unlock the true potential of your high-end cables. Read on to discover the exceptional benefits and advancements offered by the VIDAR 2 machine.
Please note: We are unable to burn-in cables with stripped bare ends or BFA plugs. Cable burn-in occurs after your order has been processed for the selected time period. For custom-length cables, burn-in takes place after termination by the manufacturer or our skilled engineers.
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine seamlessly combines three vital functions into a single operation:
- Neutralising charges around cables and insulation: The VIDAR 2 effectively dissipates any built-up charges, creating an optimal environment for signal transmission.
- Deep conditioning into the conductor core: With its wide band and profound conditioning capabilities, the machine induces significant changes in signal passage through the metal, resulting in enhanced performance.
- Ultrasonic surface conditioning of conductors: The VIDAR 2 employs ultrasonic technology to refine the conductor surface, further refining the signal quality.
In addition to all the advantages of its predecessor, the VIDAR 2 introduces remarkable improvements, including:
- Complex burn-in signal with wider bandwidth and richer content
- Enhanced directionality for cables
- FOUR burn-in zones - including a new digital zone for USB, Ethernet, and Coaxial (BNC) cables.
Using a proprietary blend of composite and complex signals, the VIDAR 2 ensures comprehensive cable conditioning. The signal consists of ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies, surpassing video frequency ranges. The signal effectively penetrates the core at ultra-low frequencies by oscillating throughout the cable while swiftly traversing the surface at ultra-high frequencies. This transmission methodology counters harmonics and heterodynes between the two complex waveforms, improving signal performance throughout all cable layers.
Furthermore, the circuitry design boasts a unique feature that drives electrons above the conductor into the dielectric or insulation area. This process neutralizes any electrical charges that may impact the signal integrity. With the Nordost VIDAR, we go beyond merely sending ping-pong signals along the cable; we also ensure a balanced signal flow from the centre core to the outer shield in interconnect cables.
What does all this mean for you?
Conditioning your cables with the Nordost VIDAR yields remarkable benefits, including enhanced sound staging, heightened detail reproduction, and a more captivating and musical presentation.
We offer our cable burn-in service as a complimentary offering at the discretion of Future Shop. While we strive to accommodate all burn-in requests for the specified time periods, please understand that during exceptionally busy periods, we may be unable to fulfill all demands due to the limited connections available on the Nordost VIDAR cable conditioning machines.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NORDOST VIDAR 2 BURN-IN TREATMENT
Atlas Ailsa Duo 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable
The Atlas Ailsa Duo XLR steps up from the Hyper Duo with one significant change: solid-core OCC copper conductors in place of stranded construction. Solid-core conductors offer lower distortion and greater consistency than multi-strand equivalents, and combined with the Ohno Continuous Casting process, which draws an exceptionally long crystal grain structure along the full length of the wire, the result is a signal path with minimal impedance and high fidelity to the original recording. PEF (Foamed Polyethylene) insulation keeps signal loss low and bandwidth wide, and the Duo screening topology gives each conductor its own independent precision-woven OFC screen, with both drained directly to ground. This arrangement provides comprehensive 360-degree RFI rejection without the screen distortion that occurs when conventional screened cables are prepared for termination, a physical compromise that measurably affects impedance and audible performance.
Termination is via dark chrome aluminium alloy XLR connectors with silver-plated OCC copper pins, matched in material to the cable conductors themselves to maintain continuity through the connection. A cold-weld precision crimp joins conductor to pin without solder, avoiding the material inconsistencies and potential impedance variations that soldered joints can introduce. Atlas positions the Ailsa Duo XLR as a cable that carries some of the tonal coherence and accuracy associated with their higher-end Mavros and Arran ranges, making it a well-considered step up for listeners wanting more from a balanced interconnect without moving to flagship pricing.
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"'After a tough start following an eye-wateringly expensive alternative, the Atlas Ailsa Duo OCC made a very powerful impression. It resolves mountains of detail into a coherent, three-dimensional presentation with nearly perfect timing. Given the build and finish, the price is highly competitive. There can’t be many balanced cables that compete with its imaging and dynamic capabilities." (Read More) Jason Kennedy - The Ear - 2026 Editor's Choice
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Here is what Atlas say about the Ailsa Duo XLR
The Ailsa Duo OCC XLR is a wide-bandwidth solid-core interconnect featuring our new 'Duo' independent dual-drain screen topology, a further refinement of our proven 'dd' dual-drain system.
Designed to maximise the performance of high-performance audio systems using the increasingly popular XLR connectors, the Ailsa XLR Duo features completely separate, independently-screened solid-core OCC copper conductors for 'hot (+) and 'cold‘ (-) connections, enhancing rejection of unwanted signal-degrading ‘noise.’ Solid-core conductors offer significant improvement over multi-strand, with lower distortion and greater consistency in performance.
Termination is with our aluminium alloy ‘dark Chrome’ XLR connectors with silver-plated OCC copper pins. Pins are of the same grade OCC copper as the conductors, which, in tandem with our solder-free cold-weld connection method, ensures excellent signal continuity.
Combined with a precision-twisted assembly – further increasing rejection of RF and EM interference – the XLR Duo offers clear, easily demonstrable performance gains with more than a hint of the coherence and tonal accuracy of our 'High End' Mavros and Arran products.
This latest generation ‘rebooted’ Ailsa reveals a neutral, detailed but engaging presentation without artifice or exaggeration, offering fresh insight into music both new and familiar.
Features:
- Duo Dual Drain Independent Screen
- Cold weld Precision Crimped Termination
- OCC Conductors
- PEF Dielectric
Duo Dual Drain Independent Screen
Our unique Duo and ‘dd’ construction connect the screen without distorting, twisting or mechanically stressing the precision-laid screen, all of which can cause measurable performance anomalies.
We have invested in machinery to quickly and efficiently perform a number of the key stages in our manufacturing process. But working with our dual-drain system is one of those instances where there’s no substitute for the ‘hands-on’ experience of a skilled operator.
Normally screened cables suffer from screen distortion when they are prepared for production. (If you’ve ever wired a plug or connector which uses a screened cable, you've done this yourself, cutting back and probably twisting the screening braid for termination). This distortion of the screen has a measurable impact, effectively changing the impedance and therefore the performance of the cable.
Our ‘dd’ configuration is based on a simplified version of the techniques originally developed for our then top-of-the-range Mavros and Asimi interconnects. Twin symmetrical drain wires (each attached to 180° segments of the plug) are inserted between a 100% copper/Mylar™ foil and screen.
The unique dd system connects the screen effectively to the cable return/plug interface, meaning the cable can be terminated without distorting, twisting or mechanically stressing the precision-laid screen. The benefits are in maintaining a consistent low impedance load to the plug, and a total 360° screening against noise and signal loss caused by RFI (Radio Frequency Interference).
Our Duo symmetrical topology essentially takes our dual-drain approach one step further, with the paired hot and cold conductors surrounded by their own independent precision-woven OFC screen. Each of the screen pairs is then precisely twisted and configured with a common Grun connection, draining both screens directly to ground.
Cold weld Precision Crimped Termination
Our objective is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as one continuous entity, with the minimum of ‘breaks & barriers’ in the signal path.
The Process
We have invested in machinery to quickly and efficiently perform a number of the key stages in our manufacturing process, including precision-crimping of connectors on all types of cable.
We also have a number of identically calibrated hand-tools — there are times when there’s no substitute for the experience of a skilled operator.
Cold-Weld Precision-Calibrated Crimp
We firmly believe there should be the minimum of ‘breaks & barriers’ in the signal path. To this end for example, the pins on our connector plugs will typically be of the same material as the cable conductor, ie. a cable using a OCC Copper conductor will have OCC Copper signal pins.
We consider a precision-calibrated cold-weld connection (where physically possible) to be superior to soldered joints or screw connections. Solder typically introduces an unwanted material barrier and a degree of inconsistency. Screw terminations typically distort/damage the conductor and/or dielectric, adversely affecting the measured characteristics of the cable.
In a cold-weld (solder-free) connection, the metal of the connector plug and the wire are squeezed together under a calibrated pressure to form a robust, consistent, air-tight metal to metal contact with no deformation of the cable dielectric. The result is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as closely as possible to one continuous entity.
OCC Copper
The Ohno continuous casting method re-heats the extrusion as the molten copper is forced out of the mould and very slowly and gradually draws the grain or crystal down the conductor''s length, creating a ‘single crystal structure.’ Actually, because no copper is 100% pure, there will always be a few boundaries produced by impurities. The frequency of boundaries created are quite insignificant. A typical crystal in a copper conductor drawn to 0.3 mm diam. using the OCC process is 125.00 metres long! The benefits are obvious, with almost no crystal boundaries, the audio signal is no longer impeded down the copper wire and more information and detail is delivered faithfully to the receiving equipment.
PEF Dielectric
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is cheap to produce and, as such, is the most commonly used insulation in AV cables. However, PVC is the worst quality insulation a Hi-Fi or AV signal can encounter as its high loss causes a significant reduction in signal velocity. PVC is better suited to power cables and should be avoided in Hi-Fi and AV signal cables. Other dielectrics in common use are Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polytetrafluoride Epoxy (better known as PTFE (Teflon™) or Teflon,) and the new and unique Atlas (PTFE). PEF (Foamed Polyethylene). The foaming process uses a blowing agent, of which there are two types. Atlas use the gas-foamed method which creates a more inert, consistent and higher quality product. The table below shows the properties of a selection of dielectrics. Though not used as a dielectric in Atlas' cables, PVC is included for comparison purposes.
Specification :
- Construction: Duo Solid
- Conductor: OCC Copper
- Dielectric: PEF
- Screen: Foil/OFC braid
- Capacitance: 40.05 pF/m
- Inductance: 0.798 µH/m
- Resistance: 0.0971 Ohms/m
- Outside Diameter: 4.8 mm (per conductor)
- Colour/Finish: Titanium Grey Fabric
About Atlas Cables
Atlas Cables are a major producer of interconnects and cables in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. All products are researched, developed and most are assembled in the Atlas purpose built factory in Scotland.
Many of these products are unique and use advanced techniques of production or manufacture in order to bring to the user the very finest quality products. With each new model we continue to push the boundaries of reliability and performance. It's little wonder then, that Atlas Cables have had so many mile-stone advances in the past and that Atlas Cables have secured so many awards in comparative tests against other products.
About Atlas Cables
Scottish cable maker that designs and builds its own conductors, connectors and cables rather than assembling bought-in parts.
Atlas researches, designs and produces its cables in Scotland, with a handful of exceptions. Many cable brands assemble off-the-shelf components, but Atlas specifies the conductors, insulation and terminations itself and tests the result in its own listening room. It offers a five-year guarantee on its cables.
Read more about Atlas Show less
The plugs are Atlas designs too
Atlas designs its own RCA plugs. The Achromatic and Ultra RCAs are built for low mass and high bandwidth, and the newer Metik connectors were developed for personal audio. Designing the connectors in house means Atlas is not limited to what an outside supplier already sells.
Three performance levels, with named ranges in each
The catalogue is arranged in three performance levels. Upgrade covers Element and Equator, Aspire covers Hyper and Ailsa, and High End covers Mavros, Arran, Eos and Zeno. You can choose the level that suits the rest of your system, then move up later without changing brand.
Custom options and a repair service
Atlas lists luxe and speaker termination options, so you can specify a cable to suit the equipment at each end. It also repairs, customises and upgrades its cables through a dedicated service, which means you can bring an older cable up to date instead of replacing it.
Why we stock Atlas
Atlas run pure copper conductors through most of the range rather than silver or silver plating. That gives a warmer, more forgiving balance than the silver-plated cables we sell. If your system is already leaning bright, Atlas is usually where we point you first. Hand-built in Scotland, and we have sold them since 2008.
New cables (even high-quality ones) benefit from a period of signal conditioning before reaching their optimum performance. The dielectric (insulation) around the conductors needs time to stabilise under the electromagnetic field created by signal flow. Rather than leaving this to you, we run cables on our Nordost Vidar burn-in machine before dispatch, up to the equivalent of 200 hours of use, in a fraction of the time. Your cable arrives performance-ready from the first listen.
Specification :
- Construction: Duo Solid
- Conductor: OCC Copper
- Dielectric: PEF
- Screen: Foil/OFC braid
- Capacitance: 40.05 pF/m
- Inductance: 0.798 µH/m
- Resistance: 0.0971 Ohms/m
- Outside Diameter: 4.8 mm (per conductor)
- Colour/Finish: Titanium Grey Fabric
We use Royal Mail 1st Class services for our Standard Delivery.
Orders received before 4.30 pm Monday to Friday are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. This does not apply to custom-length cables and speaker cables as these require a longer timescale to terminate. This also excludes all cables selected for the burn-in service. Please note, we do not process orders on national holidays in the UK. Over 98% of our orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays.
Standard delivery is usually within 2 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays. In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.
All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Future Shop. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD Local or DHL for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order subject to stock availability. For international orders, we use FedEx or DHL services where customers have selected this option.
Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths may be subject to longer deliver time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We offer 'Free delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:
- Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at Future Shop
- Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL).
- Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
- You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
- We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
- FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.
UK Postal & Delivery Charges - FIRST CLASS
Free UK delivery on all orders over £99*
| Weight | Price (FIRST CLASS UK POSTAGE) |
| 0g - 1000g | £3.95 |
| 1000g - 1400g | £4.95 |
| 1400g - 1800g | £5.95 |
| 1800g - 2000g | £6.95 |
| 2000g - 3000g | £8.95 |
* Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.
Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL.
Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day
We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.
Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.
For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.
Channel Islands & Northern Ireland
We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.
European Countries
Deliveries to EU member states are not subject to 20% VAT after December 31st 2020 and therefore the 20% VAT on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.
The customer will be liable for the VAT at the local VAT rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee if applicable. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.
We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 5 working days
- Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7-10 working days
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours
We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.
Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe
Deliveries outside of the UK are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.
If applicable, the customer will be liable for the taxes at the local tax rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.
We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7 to 10 working days
- Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability
- Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets at our discretion
We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.
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Atlas Ailsa Duo 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable
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Frequently Asked Questions
Free Premium Cable Burn-In Service: Experience the Power of Nordost VIDAR 2 Machine
We are thrilled to unveil our upgraded cable burn-in service, now featuring the cutting-edge VIDAR 2 burn-in machine. At Future Shop, we strive to provide the best possible experience for our customers, and this enhanced service is designed to unlock the true potential of your high-end cables. Read on to discover the exceptional benefits and advancements offered by the VIDAR 2 machine.
Please note: We are unable to burn-in cables with stripped bare ends or BFA plugs. Cable burn-in occurs after your order has been processed for the selected time period. For custom-length cables, burn-in takes place after termination by the manufacturer or our skilled engineers.
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine seamlessly combines three vital functions into a single operation:
- Neutralising charges around cables and insulation: The VIDAR 2 effectively dissipates any built-up charges, creating an optimal environment for signal transmission.
- Deep conditioning into the conductor core: With its wide band and profound conditioning capabilities, the machine induces significant changes in signal passage through the metal, resulting in enhanced performance.
- Ultrasonic surface conditioning of conductors: The VIDAR 2 employs ultrasonic technology to refine the conductor surface, further refining the signal quality.
In addition to all the advantages of its predecessor, the VIDAR 2 introduces remarkable improvements, including:
- Complex burn-in signal with wider bandwidth and richer content
- Enhanced directionality for cables
- FOUR burn-in zones - including a new digital zone for USB, Ethernet, and Coaxial (BNC) cables.
Using a proprietary blend of composite and complex signals, the VIDAR 2 ensures comprehensive cable conditioning. The signal consists of ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies, surpassing video frequency ranges. The signal effectively penetrates the core at ultra-low frequencies by oscillating throughout the cable while swiftly traversing the surface at ultra-high frequencies. This transmission methodology counters harmonics and heterodynes between the two complex waveforms, improving signal performance throughout all cable layers.
Furthermore, the circuitry design boasts a unique feature that drives electrons above the conductor into the dielectric or insulation area. This process neutralizes any electrical charges that may impact the signal integrity. With the Nordost VIDAR, we go beyond merely sending ping-pong signals along the cable; we also ensure a balanced signal flow from the centre core to the outer shield in interconnect cables.
What does all this mean for you?
Conditioning your cables with the Nordost VIDAR yields remarkable benefits, including enhanced sound staging, heightened detail reproduction, and a more captivating and musical presentation.
We offer our cable burn-in service as a complimentary offering at the discretion of Future Shop. While we strive to accommodate all burn-in requests for the specified time periods, please understand that during exceptionally busy periods, we may be unable to fulfill all demands due to the limited connections available on the Nordost VIDAR cable conditioning machines.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NORDOST VIDAR 2 BURN-IN TREATMENT
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Atlas Ailsa Duo 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable
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