Atlas Ailsa R1 Speaker Cable - Factory Terminated

Atlas Ailsa R1 Speaker Cable - Factory Terminated

The Atlas Ailsa R1 Speaker Cable is where OCC copper enters the Atlas speaker cable range. Its two 3.0mm² conductors give a large cross-section for firm, well-controlled bass, and Atlas keep their spacing steady along the whole run with SSG construction and a cotton filler that soaks up vibration. The microporous PTFE dielectric around each conductor stores very little energy, so transients stay sharp and low-level detail is not smeared.

Every Ailsa R1 is terminated by Atlas in Scotland. Instead of soldering, the connectors are cold-welded on under calibrated pressure, which leaves no extra metal in the signal path and makes an airtight joint that stays consistent over time. You can pick Achromatic Z-plugs or spades for the amplifier end and the speaker end separately, in lengths from 2m to 10m.

This listing is for a single cable, so please enter a quantity of 2 for a stereo pair. The finished cable measures 12mm across with a gloss grey jacket and sits in the Aspire level of Atlas's performance system.

What Atlas say about the Ailsa Speaker R1

Ailsa Speaker R1 is a high-performance OCC speaker cable offering discerning audiophiles a true taste of ‘high end’ sound quality. Available terminated in Z (Z-plug) or S (spade) versions.

All cables inevitably lose some of the audio signal and/or add their own colourations. Our newest product range, every aspect of the Ailsa family is designed and engineered to reduce this distortion to extremely low levels – meaning you get more of your music with an absolute minimum taken away or added.

Ailsa is the first in our product hierarchy to use high-purity OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper conductors. With a 3.0mm² diameter, the generous conductor cross-section gives superior low-frequency performance, while carefully optimised construction featuring our SSG (Super-Stabilised conductor Geometry) and anti-vibration cotton filler ensures Ailsa is exceptionally transparent to the signal for a cable of this class.

For the dielectric, we use a high-efficiency microporous PTFE which means virtually no ‘smearing’ or other signal degradation.

Our robust low contact resistance Systematic connectors and precision-calibrated cold-weld termination give a superior connection to conventional solder fixing, with increased signal continuity because of fewer ‘barriers’ created by different materials.

Features:

• Technology: Systematic plugs
• Engineered: Cold-Weld Precision Crimp
• Performance: Aspire level
• Essentials: Atlas ‘Essential Elements’

Achromatic Z-Plugs

Factory-terminated Achromatic speaker cables feature our cold-weld precision crimp Z-plug, which is also an option for cables assembled to order by our international distributors and dealers, who are equipped with our proprietary tools and factory-trained in their use.

The construction and finishing of our Achromatic plugs is also vital to their performance.

Plug pins and contacts are necessarily gold or silver-plated* to prevent oxidisation, which affects performance, and visible tarnishing. The priority is to minimise contact resistance, which is critical to consistent performance.

* Silver is a more efficient conductor than gold, but is both more expensive and prone to tarnishing.

The body of the Atlas Achromatic connectors is a low-mass, non-conductive (and recyclable) ABS design.

While ‘hifi jewellery’ metal plugs may be visually impressive, typically their mass almost certainly has an adverse effect on the delicate audio signal.

Termination Options

Achromatic Z-Plug or Spade termination available.

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.

Ohno Continuous Casting Copper (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, impurities will always produce a few boundaries. The frequency of boundaries created is 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.

Microporous PTFE 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, foamed Polypropylene (PEF) and Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and the new and unique Atlas microporous PTFE.

Microporous PTFE (Teflon™) is a unique, low-density dielectric material, phase stable at room temperature, which offers significant performance improvements over solid PTFE (Teflon™) dielectric designs.

Microporous PTFE contains a higher percentage of air than solid PTFE; achieved by introducing small voids (less than one-half micron in diameter) of air within the material. The result is a lower dielectric constant of 1.7 to 1.5 (typically Teflon™, the next best dielectric is 2.1 to 2.3).

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.

About Atlas Cables

Atlas Cables, a distinguished company headquartered in Scotland, embodies engineering excellence, showcasing an unwavering commitment to research, development, and quality manufacturing. The company's foundational ethos is rooted in an unyielding love for music, from which stems its innovative approach to designing and crafting audio cables and accessories.

What sets Atlas Cables apart from many other brands, often called 'assemblers,' is their control over the entire creation process. While many competitors settle for assembling products from 'off the shelf' components, Atlas delves deeper, ensuring that each element of their products - from core conductors to insulating materials and terminations - is precisely tailored to meet or exceed performance specifications. This control translates to consistency in assembly and a robust quality control system backed by a five-year guarantee.

Manufacturing primarily in Scotland, a region known for its longstanding tradition of engineering brilliance, Atlas Cables takes pride in building products unique to its brand. Their approach circumvents reliance on pre-existing components and instead focuses on original thinking and total control. This philosophy has led to the development of groundbreaking technologies like the low-mass/high-bandwidth Achromatic & Ultra RCA plugs and the more recent Metik connectors tailored for the personal audio market.

Atlas Cables' comprehensive in-house capabilities encompass everything from CAD concept drawings to listening room tests, ensuring synergy across their entire product range. This ability to innovate, paired with rigorous testing and attentive listening, is more than a business strategy; it's the company's unique 'DNA,' ensuring that every product reflects the love of music that fuels the brand.

In a market where others may settle for assembling existing parts, Atlas Cables continues to push boundaries, seeking better ways to design and build their products. Their insistence on originality and excellence allows them to offer advanced technology remarkably cost-effectively. The final result? A portfolio of cables, plugs, and accessories you'll not find elsewhere is truly unique to Atlas, reflecting a profound connection between engineering excellence and the deep love of music that inspired it all.

Specifications