Alpha-Core

Interconnect Cables

Jump to interconnect stereo pair prices below.

The High Performance Link
With an unprecedented clarity of treble and high to mid-range, these interconnects provide a near match of cable characteristic impedance with the impedance at the signal source. Offered in RCA and XLR balanced versions. Virtually distortion free. Featuring a similar geometry and high integrity construction that has won Alpha-Core's speaker cables extensive praise from reviewers, consumers, and installers - these interconnects provide demonstrably better component-to-component analog signal transfer in any high quality audio or audio/video system. The design addresses many problems unique to interconnects. In addition to providing an ideal balance of inductive, resistive, and capacitive characteristics, these interconnects are also impervious to spurious radio-frequency and electromagnetic signals that often corrupt audio information. Alpha-Core interconnect cables are available in oxygen free copper or solid fine silver. The electrical characteristics of Tourmaline and Sapphire interconnects make them ideally suited for longer runs; they can be made to order in lengths up to 50 feet.

Unique Flat Design
Alpha-Core interconnects consist of two or three flat, solid conductors sandwiched on either side of a microscopically thin dielectric. The result, a signal cable with an extremely low inductance and unprecedented clarity of the treble and high midrange. The conductors are bands of solid fine silver or high purity OFC copper. They are finished with transparent jackets of high grade polymer and fitted with Teflon insulated black chrome RCA or XLR balanced connectors with rhodium or gold plated contacts. The low inductance, an effect of the Alpha-Core's patented geometry, eliminates radiated fields while at the same time rejecting extraneous fields. This means that our interconnect cables can be bundled with other signal and power cables without any risk of cross talk or line frequency hum. Extensive tests have established that they are impervious to broadcast bands and other EMI and RF fields, and thus provide a virtually undisturbed signal path between source components and pre-amplifiers, and between pre-amplifiers and power amplifiers.

Matched Impedance Reduces Ringing
Another reason for the unprecedented clarity reached with the Alpha-Core interconnects is the absence of signal reflections and ringing, attained through a near match of cable impedance with the impedance encountered at the signal source. Because in most cases the output impedance at the source differs vastly from the input impedance at the load side, a match at both ends is impossible. But, as demonstrated with the Goertz MI speaker cables, a single sided near match is sufficient to effectively prevent mismatch signal reflections from traveling back and forth through the signal cables and eventually entering the amplifier feedback loops.

'Micro Purl', Copper and Silver
The revolutionary Micro Purl is cutting-edge transmission line technology. It contains two 50 microns thick by 2mm wide signal carriers made of solid fine silver or OFC Copper, placed on each side of a copper ground plane. The ultra thin three layer sandwich is then twisted (purled) as it is embedded in a heavy sheath of transparent high grade polymer. The twisting facilitates handling and further enhances EM and RF rejection. Micro Purl is breaking new ground as professional quality microphone and patch cables, and as digital interconnects.

TQ 1 'Triode Quartz' Solid Fine Silver
The 'Triode Quartz' was designed on special request by tube enthusiasts and is one of the most powerful thin interconnects made today. TQ 1 is made of 99.99% pure solid fine silver foil, with each conductor equivalent to 21 gauge wire. The prime effect of placing two relatively wide, thin conductors within only 0.003 of each other is to drive the inductance way down; far below that of any cable based on coaxial geometry. This means a very low characteristic impedance and an almost total elimination of high frequency roll-off.

TQ 2 'Triode Quartz' Solid Fine Silver
Since Alpha-Core introduced the new "Micro Purl" interconnect cables many customers have asked them whether they are planning a new version of their popular TQ1 cable incorporating the same features which have proven so successful in "Micro Purl". The new TQ 2 is made in similar fashion as Micro Purl, by twisting the bundle of solid fine silver conductors and copper ground plane in line with the extrusion of a tough, crystal clear jacket of high grade polymer. The result may be coiled and handled like any other cable and will take considerable punishment without degrading sound quality. This is the equivalent to AWG 22, and the overall diameter is .32" versus .25" for Micro Purl. The electrical parameters and sonic characteristics are the same as those of TQ 1 except for the fact that the in-line twist has further improved the EMI and RF noise rejection inherent in the low inductance geometry. Unfortunately with the new development their manufacturing costs have gone up, necessitating a price increase of 20% effective immediately. TQ1 will remain available at the original price as long as stocks last but will then be discontinued.

'Tourmaline' Copper
Two thin 18 gauge high purity Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) conductors are sandwiched together, separated only by micro-thin layers of film insulation. The minute amount of active dielectric also provides virtually no break-in!

'Sapphire' Silver
Two thin 18 gauge 99.99% pure solid fine silver conductors are sandwiched together in the unique Goertz configuration. Impervious to extraneous line frequency and RF fields, with the great ultra clean sound of solid fine silver.

NOTE: Like the speaker cables the interconnects incorporate flat solid conductors insulated with a micro thin dielectric film. However in order to improve EMI and RF noise the low level interconnects also include a Ground Plane placed between the two signal carriers. In addition in the Micro Purl and TQ2 the three layer bundle is twisted while embedded in a round solid extrusion of clear high grade polymer. The heaviest interconnect cables, Tourmaline and Sapphire are flat and look like smaller versions of the speaker cables. The interconnects are available single-ended terminated with RCA connectors, or balanced with male and female 3 pin XLR plugs.

"Unparalleled sonic performance... I put the Goertz cables into my system and my jaw dropped... their transparency captivated me making other speaker cables sound veiled.... they capture the full harmonic richness of recordings.... superior to any of the others I tried.... I don't see how this cable can be bested." -
    - Roman Zajcew, The Absolute Sound, July/August 1998

Interconnect Stereo Pair Prices

(if linked, then available online)

Termination Prices

Alpha-Core/Goertz website