Hyperphono V14
The Hyperphono is, in fact, a
three-cable assembly in one package: two identical signal cables,
and one more (same diameter, but different inside) run for
the ground.
The three cables join at the
mini-DIN and run separately from each other, being held together
only by a machined Teflon tri-nut that slides back and forth for
the most convenient cable arrangement and no hassle connection to
any phono preamp or an MC step-up transformer. In the RCA to
RCA version, the three cables join at the middle, and run
separately to both RCA-terminated ends.
The Hyperphono is available in
mini-DIN to RCA, mini-DIN to XLR, and RCA to RCA configurations.
The standard Hyperphono, made until 2014, was made in two
versions: straight and 90-degrees mini-DIN.
The newest version, Hyperphono V14
introduces a
new, single universal "FLEX" mini-DIN - which fits tonearms that
require both the straight miniDIN and the 90-degress
miniDin without any modifications. The thin mini-DIN
"tale" is designed to be bent at sharp angles without a risk of
brakeage, and makes the connection much easier than before. The
balanced version of the Hyperphono V14 features STEALTH
proprietary XLRs with carbon fiber shells, machined Teflon
dielectric and solid silver contacts.
The Hyperphono has STEALTH proprietary,
highly advanced custom connectors: Teflon mini-DIN with
custom machined Carbon fiber shells (both straight and 90
degrees), and
shell-less ultra light proprietary STEALTH RCA connectors (same concept and
basic design as the original Indra connectors, but no shells, just
machined Teflon body with integrated very light weight solid
silver contacts; the hollow solid silver center pins have Kevlar
inserts, for strength). The XLR version features custom STEALTH
XLRs (also with machined Teflon dielectric and solid silver
contacts).
Please remember that you need to
apply a significant
axial force to make sure the Hyperphono 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)***.
The Hyperphono signal path features the
multi-layer matrix geometry, which is common for all top STEALTH
cables, including the Indra. The
conductive wire used is solid core, 50% gold 50% silver, single crystal
(continuous cast) alloy. The porous Teflon dielectric assures
very low energy storage = high perceived speed of the reproduced
signal.
The ground run features our
proprietary low resistance (and low inductance!) RF transparent LITZ
configuration - to assure high quality grounding up to radio
frequencies.
Both signal cables are shielded
with metallized carbon
fibers, with multiple silver plated OFC drain wires. This
is very light weight and efficient shielding. The shields are
electrically connected to the ground at a single point (at the
ground pin of the miniDIN, or in the middle of the cable assembly
(inside the carbon fiber "collar") in the RCA to RCA
configuration.
There are two identical solid core
signal wires inside each signal cable, symmetrically woven in a
matrix geometry which offers high interference and noise rejection
without the capacitance increase typical for simple twisted pairs.
This symmetry and identical wires mean the Hyperphono is a balanced
cable. This is natural for the XLR-terminated version. But the
Hyperphono is internally balanced even in the RCA-terminated
version.
Why balanced?
A phono cartridge is balanced by
its nature: the output from each of its two coils (one coil for
each stereo channel) is symmetrical - i.e. balanced. The four inside tonearm wires
that go from the four cartridge leads through the tonearm tube are
all the same - i.e. this path is also balanced. And thus an optimally made
phono cable must follow this pattern - i.e. must be balanced (inside)
- regardless of whether a phono preamp is balanced or
single-ended. The
absolute best phono stages are balanced (it simply makes sense
to make them balanced - to assure the highest possible
interference rejection) - but even with a single-ended phono
preamp (terminated with the RCA-type connectors) a balanced phono
cable works better than asymmetrical (coaxial): due to its
balanced nature, it is considerably less noisy than a traditional
single-ended phono cable. Reduced noise is obviously nice all by
itself, but its indirect benefit is lower IM distortion, and the
result is a readily audible boost in perceived (subjective)
clarity of reproduction - compare to any regular phono cable.
SOUND
The differences in phono cables
are much more audible than in line-level interconnects - because
of the much smaller signal, and therefore much higher
amplification: typical line-level signal is 1 volts, while the
typical MC cartridge output is 0.3 millivolts - i.e. 3000 times
(!) as low.
The
Hyperphono is exceptionally quiet, and it is immediately noticed by
all listeners - most of them don't even suspect how quiet their
phono setup can actually be!
Because of its numerous highly
advanced features (listed above), the Hyperphono sonic
advantages are immediately apparent in any high-end phono setup.
PRICING
The suggested retail price is for a 1.2 meters or shorter Hyperphono
cable is $3,800, $4,200 for a 1.5 meters cable, and $4,800
for a 2 meters cable.
Due to the high customization
required for each individual quality phono setup, the Hyperphono cables are
made to order (2 to 3 weeks average lead time).
REVISION HISTORY
The RCA to RCA Hyperphono cables made prior to August 2006
looked as shown below:
*** It is recommended to clean (wipe) the RCA females
(on the back of your equipment) with rubbing (isopropyl or
ethyl) alcohol right before connecting the cables to the
equipment. The STEALTH RCA connectors go in easier if the outer
surfaces of the RCA females are still wet with alcohol.
The body of the STEALTH RCA connector is machined of Teflon.
There are three solid silver strips that make the actual
electrical contact. When the cable is connected to the
equipment, these silver strips are pressed to the outer part of
the RCA female by the Teflon cylinder. The internal diameter of
the Teflon cylinder is slightly smaller than the RCA female
diameter. When the connector is connected to an RCA female for
the first time, the Teflon cylinder softly expands to
accommodate the shape and the exact diameter of the RCA female.
Once connected, the STEALTH RCA connector sits very tight on the
RCA female. The electrical connection between these silver
strips and the conductive part of RCA female is very reliable
and firm, the actual contact surfaces do not oxidize, and the
connection doesn’t deteriorate with time.
When you disconnect the cable, and then reconnect it again, it
shall go in much easier than the first time.
Happy listening!
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