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ŚAKRA V12

 

The Śakra V12 is quite different from the standard  (original Sakra): the cables are indeed directional – since they are CONICAL inside and outside, and feature our new “vari-cross” geometry – the cross-section of the cable varies along their length; this is done to improve the impedance matching between the source and the receiving end;

 Sonically, the cables are more relaxed right out of the box, and sound yet more full-bodied (and thus natural) while having improved resoluti0on and transparency over the "original" Sakra.

Because of the improved geometry the Śakra V12 is more relaxed and natural (right out of the box, in a brand new condition the V12 sounds more “broken in” – compare to the original Sakra with 1000+ hours on it). On top of that, the Sakra V12 has improved resolution and transparency over the "original" Sakra.

In other words, the Śakra V12 is simply a better cable and is our flagship analog interconnect for 2013, and up to date.

...For almost 5 years, making and gradually improving the Indra cable, we thought that the Indra would remain the pinnacle of our designs (in the line-level, analog interconnect domain). As with all our designs, we improve them as we go, introducing new "revisions"; Indra has gone though three revision changes, and each next revision sounded better than the previous one, but the overall, general sound character of the Indra remained similar through all revisions. However, while the ŚAKRA can be considered just the next, updated revision of Indra, it has a different name, and it IS a different cable overall: it is a clear upgrade from any Indra revision, and the magnitude of the difference is very substantial. What makes such a profound difference? - it's simple:  better geometry and better dielectric. How does it sound, compare to the Indra? - we will know more once reviews are published, and we accumulate feedback from the Śakra users, but as of now - after testing the Sakra in a dozen of very good systems, and collecting comments from a couple of dozen of experienced listeners, we are certain about three major Śakra performance advantages over the Indra:

1. Śakra V12 offers considerably better low-end extension, more subjective "body" to the sound AND better midrange transparency AT THE SAME TIME. These two characteristics: better transparency and better "body" (and bass performance) practically always contradict each other - at least, it's been true in all cables and in all gear we have heard. Usually, it's "either-or":  improved midrange transparency or improved body.... But the Śakra V12 offers BOTH!

2. Without any break-in, right out of the box, the Śakra V12 sounds more "relaxed" than a well broken-in Indra, and fuller in body than the original Sakra... And it improves further as it breaks-in!

3. Śakra V12 offers more layered, larger, and better defined soundstage; the effect of changing the Indra for the Śakra is similar to adding a good preamplifier to a system, where a DAC was connected directly to a power amplifier...

 

...We will add more comments as we receive and analyze them. But for now, before the Śakra is officially released - we suggest you talk to your STEALTH dealer about special, introductory offer to upgrade your Indra to the Śakra! It is a major upgrade, and you will not be disappointed - or your money back!

 

KEY DESIGN FEATURES

  •  Amorphous conductive media (wire) - which is perfectly homogeneous, grain-less – i.e. identical in all directions, since it has no crystal structure at all;

  •  Ultra thin wire: 0.001” (one-thousands of an inch) thick. Very thin wire is important for:

    ·  minimizing skin effect (no harshness in the upper midrange and treble);

    ·  minimizing time-domain errors (necessary for the clean, well defined bass, and perfect imaging);

    ·  in realistic cable dimensions, allows the use of the STEALTH proprietary distributed LITZ geometry**:

  •  Proprietary non-resonant cable geometry: STEALTH vari-cross distributed LITZ**:

    ·  Individually insulated strands (to eliminate direct electrical contact, i.e. galvanic interaction between strands – otherwise the multiple bare strands behave like a single thicker wire)

    ·  Non-inductive bifilar winding  -  the advantage of the STEALTH multicore geometry.

    ·  Electrical resonance control:  the advantage of the STEALTH distributed LITZ geometry.

    ·  Mechanical resonance control: dielectric and jacketing mechanical properties: optimized density and damping. Too much damping usually sterilizes and deadens the sound, while too little damping is even worse because of excessive “ringing” (unwanted uncontrolled resonances). 

     

  • Characteristic impedance control: optimized relationships among capacitance, inductance and DC resistance: the ŚAKRA characteristic impedance and its resonant behavior (“Q” at RF frequencies) are different from any machine-made cable. 

  •  Ultra low energy storage dielectric: STEALTH para-vacuum*** (Helium gas) + porous - i.e. foam-like Teflon. The Helium dielectric, combined with the multicore geometry, are the MAIN technical advantages of the Śakra, compare to the Indra. Porous Teflon has the lowest dielectric constant of all solid and semi-solid materials. Low dielectric constant = low energy storage = low distortion = fast sound. Helium gas dielectric properties is much better than even porous Teflon, better than air, and better than realistic (commercial) vacuum.

  • Proprietary STEALTH connectors: custom and highly advanced; very low overall mass, solid silver contacts, machined ultra-modified PTFE (Teflon®) dielectric, Kevlar composite frame, Carbon Fiber/Titanium shells.

  •  Advanced termination technique (high pressure crimping = cold weld) – a direct contact = seamless transition between the wire and the contact – no intermediate agent (solder) involved;  


CONNECTING THE SAKRA CABLES WITH RCA to your equipment

When connecting the Śakra cables with the STEALTH RCA connectors to equipment, please remember that you need to apply a significant axial force to make sure the connectors go all the way onto the RCA females (on the back of an equipment piece). When you insert these connectors, the feel is like forcing a knife through a cold chunk of butter: it goes slowly and smoothly, but with significant resistance. Please be patient to overcome this resistance and DO insert the connectors all the way (deep) onto the RCA females. This usually requires either approaching your equipment rack from behind, or partially removing a component from a rack - to have a clear access to its back panel to insert the connectors using the axial force (along the connector's axle, along the cable).

 

PRICING

Suggested retail price for a 1 meter RCA-terminated Śakra pair is $12,000 ($7,600 for each extra meter).

Suggested retail price for a 1 meter balanced XLR Śakra pair is $16,000 ($9,600 for each extra meter).


 

time. 

 

REVISION HISTORY

 

ŚAKRA (original)

The original Śakra* was our flagship analog interconnect from 2009 until 2013 - when the Sakra V12 was released.

It's been in the "pre-release state" since December 2008, and we plan to release it "officially" in mid-Summer 2009.

For almost 5 years, making and gradually improving the Indra cable, we thought that the Indra would remain the pinnacle of our designs (in the line-level, analog interconnect domain). As with all our designs, we improve them as we go, introducing new "revisions"; Indra has gone though three revision changes, and each next revision sounded better than the previous one, but the overall, general sound character of the Indra remained similar through all revisions. However, while the ŚAKRA can be considered just the next, updated revision of Indra, it has a different name, and it IS a different cable overall: it is a clear upgrade from any Indra revision, and the magnitude of the difference is very substantial. What makes such a profound difference? - it's simple:  better geometry and better dielectric. How does it sound, compare to the Indra? - we will know more once reviews are published, and we accumulate feedback from the Śakra users, but as of now - after testing the Sakra in a dozen of very good systems, and collecting comments from a couple of dozen of experienced listeners, we are certain about major Śakra performance advantages over Indra.

 

KEY DESIGN FEATURES

  •  Amorphous conductive media (wire) - which is perfectly homogeneous, grain-less – i.e. identical in all directions, since it has no crystal structure at all;

  •  Ultra thin wire: 0.001” (one-thousands of an inch) thick. Very thin wire is important for:

    ·  minimizing skin effect (no harshness in the upper midrange and treble);

    ·  minimizing time-domain errors (necessary for the clean, well defined bass, and perfect imaging);

    ·  in realistic cable dimensions, allows the use of the STEALTH proprietary distributed LITZ geometry**:

  •  Proprietary non-resonant cable geometry: STEALTH multicore distributed LITZ**:

    ·  Individually insulated strands (to eliminate direct electrical contact, i.e. galvanic interaction between strands – otherwise the multiple bare strands behave like a single thicker wire)

    ·  Non-inductive bifilar winding  -  the advantage of the STEALTH multicore geometry.

    ·  Electrical resonance control:  the advantage of the STEALTH distributed LITZ geometry.

    ·  Mechanical resonance control: dielectric and jacketing mechanical properties: optimized density and damping. Too much damping usually sterilizes and deadens the sound, while too little damping is even worse because of excessive “ringing” (unwanted uncontrolled resonances). 

     

  • Characteristic impedance control: optimized relationships among capacitance, inductance and DC resistance: the ŚAKRA characteristic impedance and its resonant behavior (“Q” at RF frequencies) are different from any machine-made cable. 

  •  Ultra low energy storage dielectric: STEALTH para-vacuum*** (Helium gas) + porous - i.e. foam-like Teflon. The Helium dielectric, combined with the multicore geometry, are the MAIN technical advantages of the Śakra, compare to the Indra. Porous Teflon has the lowest dielectric constant of all solid and semi-solid materials. Low dielectric constant = low energy storage = low distortion = fast sound. Helium gas dielectric properties is much better than even porous Teflon, better than air, and better than realistic (commercial) vacuum.

  • Proprietary STEALTH connectors: custom and highly advanced; very low overall mass, solid silver contacts, machined ultra-modified PTFE (Teflon®) dielectric, Kevlar composite frame, Carbon Fiber/Titanium shells.

  •  Advanced termination technique (high pressure crimping = cold weld) – a direct contact = seamless transition between the wire and the contact – no intermediate agent (solder) involved;  

 

PRICING

 

Suggested retail price for a 1 meter RCA-terminated original Śakra pair was $10,000 ($6,500 for each extra meter).

Suggested retail price for a 1 meter balanced XLR Śakra original pair was $13,000 ($8,500 for each extra meter).

 


* "Śakra, lord of the devas, is used as an epithet of Indra ("powerful") - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakka
In Buddhist texts Śakra is the proper name and not an epithet of this deity; conversely, Indra in Sankrit is sometimes used as an epithet for Śakra as "lord".   


*
* STEALTH Distributed LITZ geometry: while similar to the bifilar winding, it’s not exactly that: the cable is multi-layered; wires are individually insulated and gently spiraled to run in opposite directions in layers which are next to each other; the spiral diameter and the pitch is different for each layer, i.e. for each individual wire. Thus, the wires inside a cable are separated by the far greater distance compare to their diameter, no wires run in parallel to each other, and no regular pattern is repeated throughout the cable. The distributed LITZ geometry offers significant reduction of electromagnetic interaction between strands of wire;  both capacitive and inductive coupling are greatly reduced. The electrical resonances in distributed LITZ are considerably less pronounced than in any conventional geometry. This dramatically reduces RF resonance-related intermodulation distortion (one of the main distortion types in cables). The Sakra’s multicore Distributed LITZ offers yet improved performance versus the Indra’s single-core Distributed LITZ.

*** STEALTH para-vacuum tube is a hermetically sealed flexible tube filled with Helium. This gas is approximately 15 times lighter than air, and therefore its energy storage properties are extremely good: about equal to that of a 15-fold vacuum. The dielectric properties of Helium are actually better than any realistic vacuum: Helium is inert and has no ozone or other ionized molecules, and therefore there is absolutely no electrical leakage of any kind inside these Helium filled tubes. Being surrounded by the inert Helium, the wires will never oxidize or deteriorate. Any “vacuum” cable would inevitably lose vacuum with time and thus would need periodical servicing to maintain its performance. This is NOT the case with the Sakra: the Helium pressure inside the tubes is exactly the same as the atmospheric air pressure, and thus there is nothing to force our Helium to leak out of the tubes it’s in. The tubes filled with Helium do not have to be rigid, they are flexible, which makes the Sakra cables robust, user-friendly, easy to install and live with.