QED REFERENCE AUDIO 40 INTERCONNECT WITH SECOND-GENERATION ANALOC™ PLUG TECHNOLOGY

British audio brand QED has introduced the latest version of its QED Reference Audio 40 interconnect, featuring second-generation Analoc™ plug technology.

This model builds on the design of the first generation Analoc™ low eddy current design by entirely removing all conductive material from the plug bodies.

The QED Reference Audio 40 Interconnect

QED REFERENCE AUDIO 40 INTERCONNECT

QED has been designing and engineering superior analogue and digital cables for more than 45 years, and the new QED Reference Audio 40 cable is informed by the results of the company’s research into cable design since 1995.

ALL-NEW ANALOC2™ DESIGN

The Analoc2™ design still features low bulk, high purity copper connectors alongside low mass metal barrels, but now substitutes high rigidity thermoplastic material for both the inner support structure and the cable strain relief to eliminate the detrimental effects of eddy currents. Although already smaller than in traditional bulk brass plugs, these unfavourable currents were still able to circulate weakly in the isolated metal body of the previous plug design. Now with the new material in place, QED claims that these remnant resonant distortions are prevented from adversely affecting the information contained in the audio signal as it travels through the new plug.

The new QED Analoc2 plug

To complete the RCA plug’s Analoc2™ upgrade and to help combat the skin effect, the hollow, gold (or rhodium) plated, high-purity copper signal-pins are retained, while the effectiveness of the slip ring which locks in place the similarly plated, pure copper ground-terminal as the barrels are tightened, has also been improved.

COMPLEMENTARY CONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY

QED claims that this technology improves timing and detail. QED Reference Audio 40 interconnect cable utilises two Silver-plated 99.999% Oxygen Free Copper conductors of different diameters to carry the same audio signal.

FERRITE CORD INSULATION

A Zn/Mn Ferrite jacket is used within the cordage of the new QED Reference Audio 40 Interconnect cable to absorb very high frequency noise components outside of the audible band that have an adverse effect on the micro-timing of the audio signal.Further protection for the Silver Plated 99.999% Oxygen Free Copper (SPOFC) conductors comes in the form of a low loss, low density, dielectric foam Polyethylene (LDPE) inner jacket that minimises electrical energy loss in the cable insulation.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Analoc2™ plug with inner high rigidity thermoplastic material

Silver Plated 99.999% Oxygen Free Copper (SPOFC) conductors with LDPE dielectric

Asymmetrical twisted pair geometry

OFC shield giving 100% electromagnetic screening

Zn/Mn ferrite Jacket

Gold plated updated QED Analoc2™ RCA plugs

Parallel Capacitance: 76 pF/m

Inductance: 0.37 μH/m

Loop resistance: 0.072 Ω/m

Dissipation Factor: 0.0059

QED REFERENCE AUDIO 40 INTERCONNECT PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The QED Reference Audio 40 interconnect is available now in the UK/Europe and in the US from December, priced:

£99.95/€125/$139.95 (0.6m length)

£119.95/€149/$169.95 (1m length)

£149.95/€189/$209.95 (3m length)

HiFi Pig Says: It will be interesting to hear. how users of the previous version like the new Analoc2 technology and what sonic improvements they find

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