Atlas Hyper R1 1 RCA to 1 RCA Subwoofer Cable

Atlas Hyper R1 1 RCA to 1 RCA Subwoofer Cable

The Atlas Hyper R1 subwoofer cable connects a single RCA output to a single RCA input, the standard 1:1 set-up for most subwoofers in hi-fi and home cinema systems. Its job is to deliver fast, accurate bass without picking up the radio frequency and electromagnetic noise that usually shows up as hum.

Atlas use a screened conductor of high-purity OCC copper inside a foamed PEF dielectric, with an OFC braid screen and a black fabric finish 4.3mm across. Atlas say that construction keeps it quiet enough for runs of up to 10m without losing performance, which helps when the subwoofer sits on the far side of the room.

Both ends are Atlas's Achromatic X RCA plugs: low-mass, non-magnetic and fitted by cold-weld crimping, with solid OFC pins. It sits at Atlas's Aspire performance level and comes in 2m, 3m, 5m, 7m, 10m and 15m, hand-made in Scotland.

What Atlas say about the Hyper RCA Subwoofer R1

Today’s sophisticated subwoofers for both audio and home cinema installations demand fast, accurate low frequency performance free of external RF (radio frequency) and EM (electro-magnetic) interference and noise picked up by the cable itself (usually heard as hum).

The Hyper Achromatic Sub features a screened high-purity OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper conductor encapsulated within a low-loss foamed PEF (Foamed Polyethylene) dielectric, ensuring excellent immunity to interference and noise, making it ideally suited to longer cable runs of up to 10m without impacting performance.

Standard configuration is 1:1.

Features:

• Achromatic X ultra-low-mass cold-weld RCA connectors
• Cold weld precision crimped termination
• dd Dual Drain screen
• OCC copper conductor
• PEF dielectric

Achromatic Plugs

Building on the strong foundation of our Integra plugs, the Achromatic X RCA connectors feature calibrated, ultra-precise cold-weld (solderless) connection, a reduction in mass & contact resistance, superior conductivity – and most importantly, improved sound quality.

Ideally, cables shouldn’t add or subtract anything, but in reality, numerous factors combine to have an audible and measurable effect, which is a form of distortion.

One of the essential elements in the mix is the connector plug. Atlas recognised over a decade ago that the traditional CNC-machined metal-bodied RCA connector was a weakness, with demonstrably significant performance loss.

Our research showed that a Polycarbonate and latterly ABS for the plug body was a superior material, allowing us to create an RCA plug with a low dielectric constant, low-mass, non-conductive body but retaining the physical resilience and stability of a CNC-machined product.

The result was our original Integra connector, used in our entry-level Element and Equator cable ranges. Our policy of continuous product development led us, in turn, to the Achromatic and now the Achromatic X RCA connectors, the latter used in the latest generation Element, Equator, Hyper and Ailsa ranges.

Low Mass, High Bandwidth Connectors.

Part of any cable's function is to keep the outside world, primarily in the form of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), at bay. The connector plug itself and the connection are part of that mechanism.

Our Achromatic X RCA connectors utilise low-mass non-magnetic connectors to minimise the negative effect of needless metal in the plug itself, which we view as compromising optimum performance.

In Atlas cables, the conductor to plug interfaces are solder-free, and the gold-plated conjugate brackets act as the return signal path, helping reject RFI. The conjugate brackets grip the cable without compressing it, which can alter impedance. Each bracket has two asymmetrical leaves which spring open on insertion and wipe clean the signal path. Good housekeeping tip: To maintain an optimum connection, simply remove and re-insert the connector periodically.

The X Factor.

For the Achromatic X RCA, we‘ve refined the design still further in pursuit of creating a continuous signal path. The plug pins are now solid OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) rather than hollow copper-alloy. Additionally, we‘ve adopted a ‘rifled’ pin profile, enabling more consistent conductor alignment during the crimping process, and finally the PTFE part of the plug more closely matches the characteristics of the cable itself.

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.

Atlas dd Dual Drain

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).

Specifications