Hardly any other topic divides the hi-fi community as effectively as the discussion about the benefits and effects of expensive cables. The spectrum of opinions ranges from staunch doubters who swear by their hardware store wires to almost fanatical proponents of esoterically expensive cable lore. In relevant Internet forums, discussions about cables quickly get out of hand and usually end without results other than mutual insults from the discussion participants.
And one also has to admit that in the past, hi-fi cables have been at the center of many shady make-money-fast schemes. Again and again, manufacturers have succumbed to the temptation to sell inexpensive cables wrapped in elegant-looking textile sheaths and full-bodied marketing promises as expensive high-end goods.
On the other hand, there are cable demonstrations with such impressively clear results that even sworn skeptics cannot ignore them.
In connection with cables in the hi-fi system, it is important to understand one thing: cables can never improve the sound of the system. They only make it worse; sometimes more sometimes less. In other words, if you want to fully exploit the sonic potential of your hi-fi components, you need the right cables.
Transparent Audio has been researching for more than 25 years what exactly defines a "real" cable. The starting point and decisive criterion is always the music. At its headquarters in Saco, Maine, Transparent has one of the most elaborate listening rooms in the industry, equipped with a large number of different speakers and components.
Regular excursions to concerts by the symphony orchestra in nearby Portland train the hearing of all employees. Elaborate recordings of the same concerts are then used for review in Tranparent's own listening room. In this way, the engineers develop a keen sense of the essential aspects of music: balanced tonality, detailed dynamics and an open, accurate spatial representation.
At the same time, the developers at Transparent have a steadily growing a wealth of experience about the electrical properties of a cable and how to control them. Simply put, a cable is an electrical conductor; no more, no less. And at the same time by far the longest path a music signal has to travel from the source to the speakers.
The geometry of a cable has a decisive influence on the respective electrical properties. That is why every transparent cable is initially based on a stable mechanical construction. This ensures a constant cable geometry under all circumstances, so the electrical properties of the cable remain largely unchanged when the cable is moved, kinked or bent.
With its own technology, however, Transparent has been taking decisive steps further for years. All Transparent loudspeaker cables and all analog signal cables (with the exception of the basic program under the name Hardwired) are equipped with the unique "Transparent Network". This contains a are simple but highly precise circuits that have been designed using decades of experience to adapt all electrical properties of the cable to match those of a previously determined optimal length.
On the one hand, this means easy-to-plan cabling for the system: a 2-meter-long XLR cable from Transparent will sound exactly like a 3-meter-long cable from the same series. They can be combined with one another or exchanged for one another without hesitation. With loudspeaker cables, the advantage of the "Transparent Network" becomes even clearer: In contrast to conventional cables, Transparent loudspeaker cables of different lengths on each side can be combined with each other without sound problems, for example if the system is not placed in the middle between the speakers but on the side of the room. Since the transparent cables have the same electrical properties regardless of their length, they always sound the same.
Apart from the entry-level cables under the Hardwired sub-brand, Transparent equips its cables with the "Transparent Network" from the entry-level series "The Link" and "The Wave". In the more expensive ranges, the networks are becoming increasingly complex and thus allow an even more precise adaptation of the electrical properties of the cables. The basic sound character is retained, so that cables from different series can also be combined with one another.
All cables of the Transparent brand are made by hand in Saco and the surrounding area, which enables practically every conceivable individual adaptation. Starting with the "Reference" level, the top ranges of Transparent cables are exclusively manufactured to order and for the special requirements of the customer. This goes so far that for the "Magnus Opus" speaker cable even the shape of the connector to the speaker is taken into account. The engineers in Saco discovered a few years ago that it makes a measurable difference whether, for example, a straight cable lug or a 90 degree cable lug is used, which can consequently be corrected in the extremely precise network of this exceptional cable.
Digital signal cables, USB and Ethernet connections can also be found in the Transparent range. Tests have shown that a network integrated into the cable has no positive influence on the sound with these types of signals. Rather, the developers here concentrate on the mechanical construction of cables and plugs as well as on the shielding and dissipation of high-frequency interference from the environment and the connected devices. Sounds easy, but also often has an amazing sound effect - just try it out with us!
Transparent is also committed to providing the best possible power supply for your hi-fi system. The offer ranges from high-quality power cables of various quality levels to active line filters such as the new Transparent PowerWave. Both can enhance the sound of your own system to an astonishing extent. And here, too, the following applies: Hearing is Believing - we would be happy to show you what influence the power supply can have on the sound.
Since the basic character of all transparent cables is similar, you can already enjoy the advantages of the transparent technology with the entry-level series. Nothing stands in the way of a later upgrade, especially since Transparent offers special trade-in conditions for this. We can therefore unconditionally recommend the following cables for a first listen. ( If you are interested, please make a listening appointment with us in Hamm, Münster or Hamburg. )
