Need help? Call us on 0800 772 3688 or 0208 905 1555
Prefer email? Contact us via sales@futureshop.co.uk
Need help? Call us on 0800 772 3688 or 0208 905 1555
Prefer email? Contact us via sales@futureshop.co.uk
Realising the full potential of the new 'super audio' formats, with their wide dynamic range and extended frequency response, requires an interconnect which exceeds the requirements of the SACD/DVD-A format.
Conceived and designed as an upgrade to the world renowned and multi-award winning Ecosse 'Maestro' MA2 Interconnect. The Symphony' is a 'balanced' analogue interconnect cable which easily exceeds these requirements. Connect it to any digital source and prepare to be astonished. At this price it’s another unbeatable cable from Ecosse!
This remarkable interconnect uses several complementary sub-topologies synergised in one cable. Space and secrecy preclude a detailed description but Ecosse can afford a brief glimpse in lieu of an audition. The conductor is UHP-OFC (Ultra High Purity Oxygen-Free Copper, plated in UHP-OFS™ (Ultra High Purity Oxygen-Free Silver-since silver has a 10% gain in conductance compared to copper, a copper wire plated with silver will have less signal loss especially at longer lengths) spirally wound around a PE (polyethylene) tube with a primary dielectric of gas-foamed low-density polyethylene (LDFPE).
Each conductor assembly has a continuous foil shield and drain wire. Isohelix™ is Ecosse patented technology for ensuring not only that the signal and return conductors always maintain a precise relationship to each other, but also that externally induced resonance (microphony) is entirely dissipated within its structure, thus fully isolating the conductors from the outside world. A further continuous foil shield and drain wraps the encapsulation before sheathing in soft PVC. Complicated yes, but musically a revelation.
When wired in a 'pseudo-balanced' fashion using RCA 'phono' connections, the screen is connected at one end only to drain unwanted RFI ‘noise’.
Here the termination is Ecosse's MACH2XS audiophile deep silver-plated non-compressing all-copper RCA plugs - where the centre pin and shields (designed to form a 'Faraday Cage'- a device designed to maximise RF screening) are built from copper materials. The MACH2XS offers all the benefits of Ecosse's super awesome MACH3 RCAs but without the cost involved, hence the relatively cheaper Symphony Interconnect.
For fully balanced equipment, 'The Symphony' is fitted with Ecosse's audiophile quality MACH2-XLR Switchcraft plugs which have deep silver-plated pins and solder surfaces. The unique clamping mechanism exerts equal pressure around the circumference of the cable without compression. This ensures constant impedance from termination to termination and results in an almost perfect signal transfer.
The Symphony, single-ended or balanced, produces a soundscape from an inky blackness that converts your listening room into the recording venue. This interconnect, due to its construction, is directional and an arrow indicates the appropriate direction (RCA).
Ecosse sincerely recommend you match this cable from one of their Monocrystal™ 'speaker' range but, for the ultimate audio experience at this price point, try it in combination with their MS2.4 or MS4.45 pre-terminated biwire.
To maintain continuity and optimum conductivity, their contact points are made from OFC copper - same as the conductor wire itself. Both centre pin and the return conjugate bracket (designed to form a 'Faraday Cage'- a device for reducing RFI) terminals or shells are direct silver hard-plated. The plug casing is precision machined from highest quality copper alloy and is deep-plated. This thick casing offers further shielding - effectively a second 'Faraday Cage' - and reduces the ingress and radiation of EMI, ESI and RFI 'noise' even further, to virtually zero.
The interface of shells and casing is one of high mechanical impedance, dissipating energy and rendering microphonic effects negligible.
These shells are designed to perform a 5-fold function:
Ecosse Reference is a specialist company engaged in the design and manufacture of low voltage signal analogue and digital interconnects, loudspeaker cables and mains A.C. Powerchords. The commitment of its principals, everyone committed music and hi-fi /audio-visual enthusiasts, is to provide the highest quality products at prices which reflect today's value for money zeitgeist.
In hi-fi terms Ecosse can genuinely lay claim to being the only hi-fi company in the world drawn from a team of Audio Professionals allied with successful individuals from the fields of recording, promoting/managing and playing music!
From our extensive and growing range of cables, we have interconnects, loudSpeaker and powerchord cables to match with your hardware and with your aspirations. It should be noted that each cable is specifically designed for its application and its termination chosen to maximise its performance. We use the highest quality materials not only in our cables but also in our unique plug terminations. So whether your requirements are for two-channel or for multi-channel, audio or visual; and whether your hardware is of modest cost or obscene, we have a cable to satisfy your needs.
Orders received before 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. Over 98% of our orders are usually delivered the next working day including Saturdays.
Standard delivery is usually within 2-3 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 Futureshop.co.uk. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD or Interlink Express for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order Monday to Friday subject to stock availability. For International orders, we use FedEx Services where customers have selected this option.
Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths or custom-made cables may be subject to longer delivery time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We offer 'Free UK delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:
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 Interlink Express 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 Interlink Express.
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.
For the Next Day Special Delivery service, orders must be received by futureshop.co.uk by 4.30pm weekdays. Orders after the 4.30pm deadline cannot be guaranteed for same day dispatch.
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.
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.
Deliveries to EU member states are subject to 20% VAT. We offer the following shipping services:
Deliveries outside of the EU are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you login or register.
We offer the following shipping services:
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.
Please take note of the following details regarding our cable burn-in service:
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine integrates three key functions into one operation:
The VIDAR employs a proprietary combination of composite and complex signals to condition the cables. These signals comprise ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies, extending beyond the range of video frequencies. The signal moves back and forth along the cable, penetrating deep into the core with ultra-low frequencies and traversing the surface with ultra-high frequencies. This transmission method generates beat harmonics between the two complex waveforms, which permeate all layers of the cable. The circuitry of the VIDAR also drives electrons from the conductor into the insulation area, neutralizing electrical charges.
The ultimate outcome of conditioning cables with the Nordost VIDAR is improved sound staging, increased detail, and an overall more musical presentation in your audio system.
Now, you may wonder why cable burn-in is necessary. During cable manufacturing, gasses become trapped as insulation is applied over the conductors. Additionally, new cables often possess high electrical charges, resulting in a brittle and bright sound that lacks the desired detail and depth for music production.
When cables undergo burn-in, the trapped gasses are dissipated, and small impurities in the conductor metals begin to exhibit diode-like behaviour, favouring current flow in a specific direction.
Here are the physical effects of the burn-in process:
When cables are properly burnt in, you can expect the following audible changes in your audio system:
At Future Shop, our goal is to maximise your satisfaction. That's why we offer a free burn-in service on all our cables before they arrive at your door, enabling you to sit back and enjoy the benefits of properly conditioned cables in your audio system.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NORDOST VIDAR CABLE TREATMENT