MAD Cable Systems

The Rogers LS35A cables are a sophisticated low mass/low eddy current geometry designed for the unimpeded flow of the audio signal. The unbalanced interconnect as well as the speaker cables, are a dual concentric ribbon design with the conductors wound in opposing directions. This helix configuration naturally protects the audio signal against EMI/RFI interference. The XLR geometry is comprised of two axial spiral-wound ribbon conductors, side by side in opposing directions, with a braided shield wrapped around the outside. The insulations for all of the Rogers LS35A cables is cross-linked polyethylene with high purity oxygen-free copper. The finished cables are cryogenically treated to remove, by compression, microscopic voids in the crystalline grain of the conductors.

Speaker cables are part of a system comprising the amp, cables, and speakers. To get the best sonic performance all parts of this system must be compatible and work well together. Listed parameters usually include inductance, capacitance, and resistance. However, an extremely important parameter that is typically overlooked is geometric design to minimize signal loss due to eddy currents.  

Eddy current resistance is somewhat like inductance in that they both retard and degrade the signal and increasingly with rising frequency. Eddy currents do not store energy like inductance; instead, they convert a percentage of the signal into heat. Debunking the “bigger is better” myth, low-mass cable designs are the first consideration in minimizing eddy current signal loss.

Cable capacitance is generally less important as most amps can easily charge and discharge capacitance without signal degradation. Resistance is also unimportant except when a large current is required for big sound in very large rooms with long cable runs. Inductance, like eddy currents, is important as they both effect system bandwidth and sound staging; the less the better. The exception is for amplifiers without output inductors that require a large amount of cable inductance to remain stable. The choice of the dielectric is also important to minimize colorations and loss of low-level signal due to absorption.

Finally, is the importance of using quality wire, the best being low-mass, high-purity, oxygen-free copper. The resulting coherent audio signal transmission is a natural and dynamic reproduction of the original recorded sound field.