A proprietary technology introduced by TARA Labs that improves upon the performance and durability of typical stranded conductors. In typical stranded conductors, many strands of copper are bundled together to form a single conductor. The loose bundling results in air space between the strands. These air spaces will quickly produce points of oxidation, where the electrical AC signal can be modified and distorted. TARA Labs’ Pressure-Stranded™ conductors begin with soft annealed strands that are twisted together under tremendous force. The pressure results in more intimate contact between strands and elimination of the air spaces that cause oxidation. Pressure-Stranded conductors deliver a cleaner, clearer signal. Because they are not subject to oxidation, Pressure-Stranded conductors will perform better over time than typical stranded conductors, which will continue to oxidize, degrading signal transmission over the life of the cable.
A solid, extruded conductor with a rectangular cross section. This technology is a TARA Labs exclusive.
Rectangular Solid Core® interconnects and speaker cables have become the reference standard for reviewers and serious audiophiles the world over due to their extremely accurate, neutral and frequency linear performance.
To understand the principle behind RSC® technology, it’s necessary to understand a phenomenon known as the “Skin Effect.” This principle states that in a round conductor higher frequencies will tend to travel towards the outside (or skin) or the conductor, while lower frequencies tend to be concentrated at the center of the conductor. The larger the diameter of a round conductor, the worse the effect will be, resulting in a significant roll-off of high frequencies in large gauge conductors.
Because of its rectangular cross section, an RSC conductor essentially has no center like a round conductor. Therefore it does not suffer the same high-frequency losses. It is the only conductor that is able to combine high current-carrying capability with extreme frequency linearity across the musical spectrum.
The “TARA” in TARA Labs is an acronym for “The Absolute Reference Audio.” Since the company’s beginnings, TARA Labs has been known among audiophiles as a manufacturer whose cables set the performance standards and whose technological innovations and patents constantly advance the frontiers of the industry.
TARA Labs started in Sydney, Australia in 1986. They began by developing cables and experimenting with different types of conductors. An early result was the Phase II speaker cable which was submitted for review to Stereophile magazine in 1988. The response to the very favorable review from this little-known cable manufacturer was overwhelming. TARA Labs moved to the United States later that year.
The introduction of Rectangular Solid Core® cables in 1992 is an example of the type of innovation that is responsible for the continuing success of TARA Labs. RSC® cables are the only cables in the world to use a solid, extruded conductor with a rectangular cross section. These conductors improve on the performance of regular round solid core conductors by having the current-carrying capability (power) of a large conductor, combined with the frequency linearity (musical accuracy) of a small conductor.
Another recent innovation is the introduction of Isolated Shield Matrix™ technology, which uses the world’s first completely isolated, floating interconnect shield and a separate unit called a Floating Ground Station (HFX) to remove radio frequency interference and electromagnetic interference from the audio signal.
As well as these innovative high quality audiophile products, TARA Labs also produces a range of audio cables under the names of TL™ series, Prime™ series, Onboard™ series, Zero™ series and Omega™ series to name a few. The TL & Prime series utilize many of the features and technologies developed for TARA Labs’ high-end products but offers them at more affordable prices.
Today TARA Labs produces a full range of cables and accessories which are sold through dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada and in 38 countries worldwide. Products are regularly reviewed in respected audio magazines the world over, including Stereophile and The Absolute Sound in the USA, Audiophile magazine in Hong Kong, and numerous professional audiophile magazines throughout the world. Recent reviews, as well as technical information and product descriptions, can be found on the TARA Labs website: www.taralabs.com.
TARA Labs operates and manufactures all of their cables in Ashland, Oregon, USA.
Hi bvdiman, man you are right on the money, what happens to people on these threads? I would love to tell someone how my cables sound in my system, but I don't think anyone gives a rats ass! I haven't had a lot of different cables, but the better known... Analysis Plus, which I still use with great results, Snake River Audio Signature, WireWorld Platinum Eclipse 7, Thales, Synergistic Research Element, which are pretty damn good, just a hassle to keep organized, but the Tara Evolutions are clearly my best overall sounding cables. Although they are a hassle to manage some too. The music just flows through these cables! The presentation is remarkably real. Every facet of the music is remarkably clear. Delineation is best I ever heard in my system. These cables have brought forth the strengths of every component in the chain. I prefer a strong midbass and detailed sound, I have an Esoteric source and these cables have snapped them into focus without the clinical feel to the music. I would love to say more, but first see if anyone is reading, lol!
Hi Colekat, Glad you made it here, I have question for you, I may have the same problem as you did before you Talked to Tara, the grounding on your HFX Box, what did you end up doing to get best result's?, I have my HFX componet grounding to a componet, I do not believe work's as good as it need's to be, I know alot about industrial welding, all of us alway's cleaned the surface by grinding the metal bright to get best contact for ground, as you know, I will not grind the paint off my componet for best ground, so it is my opinion, that my ground at best is below average, can you help me with advice?
Actually, it was not my issue, it was the original customer of the speaker cables I ended up with. The ground issue was found at the preamp, therefore the second set of cables, which I eventually ended up with, were not needed. The cables shipped to my dealer for replacement, and the issue was solved before they were replaced. Obviously, Tara was looking for a sale, and I got the call. Since I knew the original customer, on his referral I snapped them up. And glad I did.
Shielding is used to protect the signal conductors from RFI and EMI. Braided shield is good for EMI, and foil for RFI. Combinations (foil and braid) are used for long runs for RF cables.
TARA Labs exclusive Parallel Shielding System was formulated to "common" any electrical potential (EMI interference voltages) between shields in RSC® Master Gen 2 and RSC Air™ interconnects. Our parallel shields connected together act as a 'star-ground' for the shields and the RFI/EMI radiation. By commoning the electrical potential in the shields, a better 3-dimensional reproduction of the soundstage is achieved due to both channels having the same level of reduced background noise. Example: A preamp's transformer often concentrates radiation more toward one channel of the interconnect pair. If there is no shield, RFI would be modulated with the audio signal, often making the high frequencies sound bright or grainy. When shielding is used this sonic glare is reduced. When the shields are commoned, the left and right channels' bandwidth and EMI interference effects are far more equal channel to channel. The result is better imaging, spatial cues and a naturally quiet background.
Jebsmith73, how did you do that kind of grounding?, if the ground is to long,it does not work as good, just like most house ground's, an example, I run a 25ft dedicated ground for my amplifier, and in turn, that sound real distant, crashed the sound stage etc..., connected my amp ground back to the inside the breaker box, and the box is exactly oppisite from the main power box on the brick side-out side of the house that uses a 4ft earth ground, sounded hugely better in every way, this is the way the dedicated line for the amp is connected now, it's by code, but the main reason I did the code was because of the shortest possible ground that I can possibly have here without getting a dedicated breaker box for intire system, cheers.
Dielectric's play a major role in how a cable will perform,it is best to know exactly what dielectric you have in a cable, what it's design purpose is and if it does what it was designed to do, here is an explanation of what dielectric is,
Insulating materials exposed to electric fields are called "dielectrics." Dielectrics are necessary parts in the construction of any cable because they prevent oxidation and keep the conductors from touching one another. In audio cables, relatively low voltage and current levels mean that dielectric strength is not the most important factor. Far more significant in its effect on the sound is a material's dielectric absorption. This characteristic describes the way a dielectric may discharge a secondary signal into the conductor out of phase with the audio signal.
As a current is passed through a conductor, an electromagnetic field is created which interacts with the dielectric material and temporarily displaces the molecular structure. If the dielectric material has good elasticity and can return quickly to its normal state, then the material is said to have low dielectric hysteresis or loss and will have little audible effect on the signal.
Here is an explanation of impedance, getting a better understanding of what a cable or componet has for impedance can and will help with system matching to obtain a synergy of balance within any given system, Impedance
A measure of the complex resistive and reactive attributes of a component in an alternating-current (AC) circuit. Impedance is what restricts current flow in an AC electrical circuit; impedance is not relevant to DC circuits. In DC circuits, resistors limit current flow (because of their resistance). In AC circuits, inductors and capacitors similarly limit the AC current flow, but this is now because of their inductive or capacitive reactance. Impedance is like resistance but it is more. Impedance is the sum of a circuit, or device's resistance AND reactance. Reactance is measured in ohms (like resistance and impedance) but is frequency-dependant. Think of impedance as the complete or total current limiting ohms of the circuit -- the whole banana. Since AC circuits involve phase shift -- i.e., the voltage and current are rarely in phase due to the storage effects (think "time;" it takes time to charge and discharge) of capacitors and inductors, the reactance is termed "complex," that is there is a "real" part (resistive) and an "imaginary" part (bad terminology, but it means the phase shifting resistance part). To summarize: resistance has no phase shift; reactance (capacitors & inductors in AC circuits) includes phase shift; and impedance, is the sum of resistance and reactance. Just that simple.
The Tara Lab's cacade burn/in disc is free, you can go to their web-site and down load it for free,I have found this to work alot better than most disc that one could buy for alot of money, it is my pleasure to help the community that I enjoy being a part of, Enjoy, The Cascade Noise / Burn in disc
Although there have been other “burn-in” test discs used by audiophiles in the past, the discs have mostly been a mix of pink noise and sweep test tones. The new CASCADE noise burn-in disc is a proprietary combination of white noise with frequency tone bursts and pink noise mixed at different levels. However, what makes it really effective is a series of descending and ascending (cascading) multi-octave square sweeps for better and more complete results than any other “burn-in” discs that have been made to date. The CASCADE noise burn-in disc may be used with audio electronic component and with audio cable including cables with attachments such as batteries or filter networks. Before and after results will be obvious with any of these cables.
The phenomenon commonly referred to as “burn-in” is confusing to some people. We prefer to think of the phenomenon as the conditioning of the system with continued use. The phenomenon of burn-in is actually a polarization of effects on a microscopic level. This microscopic world might be as little as a few thousandths of an inch along the length of the conductors within a cable; the thickness of one to three sheets of paper. At this level one can visualize the subtle electromagnetic waves around a conductive wire. These waves are moving through the dielectric (primary insulation) around the conductor. There is a problem at this microscopic level; not all frequencies carried by the electromagnetic waves will pass at the same attitude at every point of the conductive wire. For example, at some point along the conductor, there might be a tiny point of oxidation, and this will limit the range of high frequencies that can pass easily between the same amplitude, perhaps turning AC into DC and creating random audible noise in the cable. At other points, imagine air-gaps between the conductor and the insulation near the conductor surface. These tiny differences cause changes with respect to the different frequencies that are “stored and released” from conductor to dielectric and back again.
The new CASCADE noise burn-in disc is designed to completely condition the capacitive and diode-like effects within audio components and audio cables. The result is a more coherent and extended high frequency reproduction without the glare, along with a sense of listening experience. This will be noticed after just a few hours of using the CASCADE noise burn-in disc. Continued use of the disc, just a few hours at a time, or when you are able to run your audio system at normal listening levels for many hours at a time, will be extremely beneficial in improving the performance of all audio cables and components.
The GM Evolution AC power cables is the absolute ultimate power cable design. It employs twenty four RSC conductors for each of the live, neutral and ground “earth” conductor paths. A total of nine low frequency conductor paths is used combined with the 72 RSC solid core high frequency conductors. The 72 RSC high frequency conductors are shielded in three separate groups for live, neutral and ground. Then the shields are combined to provide a phenomenal ground path together with RF/Emi rejectio
The model, The One, speaker cables,Extremely transparent, detailed, open and revealing; spacious soundstage with well defined and vivid images; fine resolution of detail and ambient information. The ISM The One™ has 8+ gauge conductor runs; SA-OF8N® copper; each channel comprised of 70 RSC® Gen 2 conductors in Aero-PE® dielectric; positive/negative run for each channel; positive/negative runs are 35 conductors each, helixed around Teflon® air-tubes™. •BSM (with 1/4” Spades or Bananas) •8+ gauge conductor runs. •SA-OF8N® copper. •Each channel comprised of 70 RSC® Gen 2 conductors in Aero-PE® dielectric. •Positive/negative run for each channel •Positive/negative runs are 35 conductors each helixed around Teflon air tubes •Extremely transparent, detailed, open & revealing •Spacious soundstage with well-defined and vivid images •Fine resolution of detail & ambient images •Extremely neutral & open
The ISM The One speaker cables use SA-OF8N copper conductors. (Super-Annealed, Oxygen-Free, Mono-Crystal, Frequency-Tuned, 8-Nines-99.999999% copper conductors) All cables have: hand-polished conductors and are handmade per order in Ashland, Oregon, USA. The ISM The One - is lifetime guaranteed. The cables arrive in a Mylar static bag, enclosed in a custom embroidered velvet bag, inside a TARA Labs box.
The ultimate combination of RSC® and Onboard Shield™ technologies. Reveals more low-level ambient and spatial information. Vivid, lifelike sound within a large, expansive soundstage. Has an Isolated Shield Matrix® and Floating Ground Station® technologies within ISM Onboard Capsule™. RSC® SA-OF8N® copper conductors with a natural fiber core; PTFE dielectric throughout; Aero-PE® primary dielectric throughout and Anti-Corrosion coated copper shield. •RCA (Torque-Lock™) •XLR •Isolated Shield Matrix® and Floating Ground Station® technologies within ISM Onboard Capsule™ •RSC® SA-OF8N® copper conductors. •Natural fiber core. •PTFE dieletric throughout. Aero-PE® primary dielectric throughout. •Anti-Corrosion coated copper shield. •The ultimate combination of RSC® and Onboard Shield™ technologies. •Reveals more low-level ambient and spatial information. •Vivid
The ISM Onboard The One audio cables use SA-OF8N copper conductors. (Super-Annealed, Oxygen-Free, Mono-Crystal, Frequency-Tuned, 8-Nines-99.999999% copper conductors) All cables have: hand-polished conductors and are handmade per order in Ashland, Oregon, USA. The ISM Onboard The One - is lifetime guaranteed. The cables arrive in a Mylar static bag, enclosed in a custom embroidered velvet bag, inside a TARA Labs box.
More than twice the conductor mass is used in the Omega Evolution, the live run uses 18 rectangular conductors, the neutral run uses 18 rectangular conductors, and the ground run uses 18 conductors where as there is no ground run in the Cobalt. The Omega has more than twice the conductor mass.
Additionally, three low frequency conductors are used are used for each live, neutral and ground (earth) run. The Omega is fully shielded with each live neutral ground runs being separately shielded and then the shields runs are connected electrically. This is a much more powerful dynamic rich clean detailed combination of sound qualities not heard in any other AC power cable.
Connected my Taralabs grandmaster evolution ic's (two pairs) as well as my Taralabs zero gold ic to my new Tripoint emperor. The Tripoint emperor is a state of the art 'grounding' device and clearly superior to the Tripoint Troy signature se I was using before (and which is a fantastic product) for signal grounding. Once more a big leap forward in sound production as the Taralabs cables greatly benefitted from the connection with the Tripoint emperor. I refer to my thread on the WhatsBestForum regarding the Tripoint emperor. The Taralabs grandmaster evolution ic and loudspeaker cables are by far the best cables I have ever heard. Combining them with the Tripoint emperor make them even better, that reaching a level of purity and refinement that is hard to believe. So to all Taralabs users, try to combine them with a Tripoint Troy signature (or even Tripoint emperor) and you will find out that the latter bring out thebest in the former.
The new Cobalt reference power cord, one model above the original, The Cobalt AC Reference Power Cable
The Cobalt AC Reference Power Cable is a reference quality AC Power Cable having both High-Frequency conductors (Rectangular Solid Core) matched with specially adapted Low Frequency conductors. The Cobalt Reference AC has 18 high frequency conductors for the Live run, and 18 high frequency conductors for the Neutral run. The Ground path is comprised of shielding and 18 AWG solid core conductors that are fitted with Ceralex(R) capsules.
Shielding is used to protect the signal conductors from RFI and EMI. Braided shield is good for EMI, and foil for RFI. Combinations (foil and braid) are used for long runs for RF cables.
TARA Labs exclusive Parallel Shielding System was formulated to "common" any electrical potential (EMI interference voltages) between shields in RSC® Master Gen 2 and RSC Air™ interconnects. Our parallel shields connected together act as a 'star-ground' for the shields and the RFI/EMI radiation. By commoning the electrical potential in the shields, a better 3-dimensional reproduction of the soundstage is achieved due to both channels having the same level of reduced background noise. Example: A preamp's transformer often concentrates radiation more toward one channel of the interconnect pair. If there is no shield, RFI would be modulated with the audio signal, often making the high frequencies sound bright or grainy. When shielding is used this sonic glare is reduced. When the shields are commoned, the left and right channels' bandwidth and EMI interference effects are far more equal channel to channel. The result is better imaging, spatial cues and a naturally quiet background
The Tara Lab's Grandmaster Evolution cable's boast 2.0 pico-farads of capacitance, Evolution Series Cables
After years of research, we have developed and have introduced
our newest cable technologies & designs late 2014….
Imagine an interconnect cable that has 2.5pf,The Zero Evolution, in an industry where our competitors boast about their double digit pico-farads (pf) Never has the industry seen anything like this before! The legendary Zero Gold was known for its extremely low capacitance and ultra wide bandwidth. The new Zero Evolution has an increase of 75% bandwidth over the Zero Gold, and a 300% increase over any other high-end audio cable in the world today. The Grandmaster Series has the largest bandwidth ever! Ever!!! It even features our new “flexible” technology for total ease when setting up. Now after reading this, imagine an interconnect that even surpasses the new Zero Evolution. Now add an additional 50% increase in bandwidth, and you’ll have what we call the “Grandmaster Evolution” Incredible! Phenomenal! Remarkable! It’ll be many years before any high-end cable manufacturer even comes close to the Evolution cable series.
Keith, what does it mean.. conductors with a Natural Fiber Core in the Pr. ISM Onboard The One Speaker cable? A fiber core instead of an air tube? if so why?
Here is some consumer review's of Tara Lab's product's, I believe these review's will give a better understanding to all that reads them, Enjoy,, “The Omega Gold has a depth to the sound stage unmatched by any other cable I have listened to, incredible air, bass, mid-range to die for, transit speed is off the charts, very holographic sounding 3-dimensional life like sound, this cable will immerse you in music nirvana, if you want one of the best speaker cable's available, look no further, truly a game changer.”2014 - Keith Henry-AudioLabyrinth
"The imaging within the soundstage is f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c andso is the purity and clarity of the sound. I wish every cable in the high end audio industry imaged like that…” – Audiodrom / Listopad 2014 MJ
Being there a physical sense of every instrument including its harmonic envelope, the The ISM The 2EX could be contenders to the best speaker cables on the planet. - Audiodrom online magazine 2014
David, (Design Audio Video/Texas)
“I just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for the recommendation and great service. I received the TARA Labs RSC Prime 800 speaker cables. They sound fantastic in my system and are a huge compliment to my Spendor A6's.”
“I have been on a quest for over a year, replacing a 20+ year old system, and the cables were the last piece of the puzzle. I've been through cables from MIT Matrix 23 and Alpha Core Goertz Vericity MI2 to van den Hul D-352 and have been disappointed by each of them in one aspect or another. Trialed against even Shunyata Black Mamba's at 3X the price, the TARA Labs held their ground...amazing!”
“The TARA Labs RSC Prime 800 are phenomenal in all aspects in my system...tremendous bass reach and foundation without, smooth transition to present midrange with no forwardness, detailed highs without excessive brightness or sparkle...and a soundstage that has extended far beyond the speakers separation as well as depth and placement of instruments within the overall presentation.”
Associated equipment
Spendor A6, Musical Fidelity M6i, Musical Fidelity M1DAC, Cambridge Audio azur C350 CD Player, MIT CVT1 Pro XLR balanced interconnects from DAC to amp., Sonos,
Thanks again for the great service -David
“When I use the TARA Labs ISM the One Digital and 0.8 Onboard, my friends and guests don't say much about "the sound." And that happens, because the TARA Labs digital cables are so transparent and free of noise that they get out of th eway and let the equipment and recordings do the talking. By stepping aside, the TARA Labs digital cables can eliminate barriers between listeners and the music.”
“And even when we use ratty equipment, the TARA Labs digital cables' lack of distortion does not heap further insult onto the music.” -John
“I wanted to let you know that last weekend I finally had the chance to incorporate all your cables in my Kondo/Tidal set up. In one word: I am very impressed! A deep black background, a large space in which the various instruments can be recognized and followed (tunes fading away) very clearly. The combination of tremendous transparency and beautiful tonality makes them addictive.” -Rudolf
“Just a quick note to say the ISM 2EX have arrived, and even without any system setup, straight from the box, they have made an immediate impact. The mid-range is gloriously rich, with more timbre on vocals. The bass is much fuller with far more weight. The soundstage is also expansive. These were all criticisms of my Nordost LS Red Dawn, so I could not be happier. However when I evaluated the overall sound, I found that nothing was missing, it just sounded different, but definitely more 'natural'. I think the Nordost range (LS Red Dawn/Frey) that I have tried tend to highlight particular frequencies to sound impressive, but these are quite tiring over long periods and/or higher volumes. In summary, a fantastic result, which I am sure will only improve as the cables get some more hours. Cheers,” – Leif R.
“The cables arrived today, and I leave for Hawaii tomorrow. Wow, even straight out of the box, the ISM Onboard Digital sounds terrific. It simply opens the door between transport and DAV, letting more of the signal/recording through. Other cables seem so filtered, restrictive, and colored."” -Tom
“just wanted to say I'm enjoying the sub-woofer cable. I was watching the recent Blu-Ray release of the Steven Spielberg movie Super 8, man when the train wreck scene came, the whole house shook! The dog ran and hid in the other room! LOL The wife came running in the living room and said "Turn it down!" I don't think so!” - William S.
“The black and white film really showcased the improvement in contrast. The areas of mid to dark shadows showed an impressive level of detail and the film grain was wonderfully preserved. By this time, I wanted to rediscover my entire DVD library, even if it was only a few scenes from each movie.” – Josh B.
“As with all Tara products, the AD / 10B imparts no coloration to the sound and I could detect no loss of dynamic range. It revealed the differences between tube and solid state equipment, emphasizing the positive qualities of both” – Tom W.
“I bought Video HT wires for my Sony DVPs9000es DVD player in 65" TV and they look amazing. Great product.” – Mark B.
“...loaned me a pair of your entry level RSC Axiom 1 meter interconnects, and they blew away my Kimber Heros out of the ballpark! It wasn't even a contest! You're right, once you hear RSC cables, there's no going back to anything else!” – Jeff S.
“The background is now jet black and super deep. It's like there is zero noise coming into the system. And, the sound staging is better, with great width and depth. The overall sound is totally smooth and totally transparent.” – Robert H.
“TARA Labs speaker cable not only revealed what was missing, they showed that my previous cable had a mid-range tonal emphasis. I also noticed a solid improvement in bass extension and high frequency resolution. TARA Labs speaker cable has NO sound.” – Tom W.
“RSC Interconnects - I have enjoyed hours of cable movies and digital playback without glare 'hardness' or 'beaminess'. All other cables I have auditioned, and they are many; typically emphasize a potion of the sound at the expense of overall performance. Many are too neutral, lacking in dynamics. Others are lively, a bit 'out of control'. Some are way too forward, 'in your face'. By sharp contrast, TARA Labs cables present a soundstage that emerges naturally, out of silence, and does not draw attention to itself. TARA Labs RSC interconnects have NO sound.” – Tom S.
“TARA Labs speaker cable not only revealed what was missing, they showed that my previous cable had a mid-range tonal emphasis. I also noticed a solid improvement in bass extension and high frequency resolution. TARA Labs speaker cable has NO sound.” – Jay T.
“Prism AC Power Cord - These cords provide a solid, quiet platform for electrical current to flow. The audio and video are 'effortless' and the dynamics are natural without compression. Yes, TARA Labs Prism power cords also have NO sound. We all want value for our money, but TARA Labs products offer much more...nothing!” – Allan S.
“The color saturation really stood out in the digitally transferred films, A Bug's Life and Pleasantville. The scene in Pleasantville when David takes his date out to "the spot" and the petals falling from the trees are pink for the first time was breathtaking. Akira Kurosawa's classic The Hidden Fortress was a delight to watch again. The black and white film really showcased the improvement in contrast. The areas of mid to dark shadows showed an impressive level of detail and the film grain was wonderfully preserved. By this time, I wanted to rediscover my entire DVD library, even if it was only a few scenes from each movie.” - Bill R.
“As with all Tara products, the AD / 10B imparts no coloration to the sound and I could detect no loss of dynamic range. It revealed the differences between tube and solid state equipment, emphasizing the positive qualities of both. The liquidity and musicality of tubes and the speed and dynamics of solid state.” – Tom W.
“I like the Air 1's better in my system. I also have a pair of Air 2 speaker cables. Amazing sound from both. I've died and gone to heaven – I swear. Thanks for your time and research. I am one of your loyal customers that is truly enjoying your efforts. And I did listen to XLO, Straightwire, & JPS Labs. I bought TARA Labs. Amen.” - Kevin L.
“The pinpoint imaging of voices behind the mikes was surgically precise. The cable mastered relative distances between the singers and, as a bonus, it also depicted relative heights of the singers. Usually I hear this track with the voices coming as if from the same horizontal level – this time I could hear how tall the singer were.” - Audiodrom online magazine 2014
“By the clever design TARA Labs have managed to achieve the goal when timing is unified across the frequency spectrum and the system provides crystal clear view of the soundstage not only in spatial domain, but also in temporal domain.” – Audiodrom online magazine 2014
Tara Lab's super annealing process, Super Annealing™
The Super-Annealing process was developed by TARA Labs to improve the conductor’s ability to deliver a more neutral and transparent signal than ever before. Even the small differences in conductivity create audible differences in sound quality. Super-Annealing is a specialized metallurgical treatment that purifies and softens a conductor’s structure to lower it’s specific resistivity and dramatically increase the length and size of crystals in copper conductors.
The Super-Annealing process is performed in an oxygen-free environment to create an ultra-pure conductor with long-grain copper crystals. Traditional copper conductors are composed of much smaller crystals. The multiple breaks or junctions between these smaller crystals cause increased noise due to the diode effect of these junctions. They alter the flow of electrical signals and cause distortion.
This is a New never before produced speaker cable by Tara Lab's that is designed to save space by intergrating the entire left channel together and right channel together,instead of seperate positive and negative run's of speaker cable, and designed for today's wide-band amplifier's that cannot use extended band-width speaker cable's to achieve a complete balanced tonality, Making Sense of …. OMEGA CX Speaker Cable
The TARA Labs OMEGA CX is the first controlled bandwidth speaker cable from TARA Labs that uses a balanced Inductance and Capacitance conductor arrangement. While Tara Labs high end speaker cable normally feature separate conductor paths for the positive and negative runs, to make one channel, the OMEGA CX is an integrated conductor configuration with positive and negative runs in one cable per channel.
The balanced Capacitance and Inductance measurements for this cable make it appropriate for wide bandwidth amplifiers and loudspeaker applications. The OMEGA CX is especially recommended for systems with a tendency towards harshness or high frequency glare
The new Evolution speaker cable is a stunning achievement, boasting the greatest current-carrying capability of any speaker cable in the world, together with the High Frequency extension and linearity of a 32-gauge conductor. The Evolution Speaker Cable is an all air-dielectric design with 288 Rectangular Solid Core ® conductors per channel.
Importantly, the gauge size for each channel is far greater than any speaker cable ever made or ever conceived in history. The gauge size is not 10, or 6, or 4, or even 0. The gage size for an Evolution Speaker Cable is 000, that's an area of 85,000 square millimeters per channel.
• BSM (with 1/4"or 5/16" Spades or Bananas) • Gauge size is 000 = an area of 85 Square mm per channel • SA-OF8N® copper. • Each channel comprised of 288 Rectangular Solid Core ® conductors per channel • Aero-PE® GMI™ dielectric. • Separate positive and negative conductor run for each channel. • Helixed Rectangular Solid Core® conductors and air-tube technology • Gauge size is 000 = an area of 85 Square mm per channel • TARA Labs "C" hook revolutionary new termination • Spectacular power and clarity. Absolutely neutral and coherent. • Superb resolution of micro-detail and ambient information. • Incredible dynamic contrasts & vivid imagery • Holographic soundstage & superb resolution of micro-details • Excellent imaging & absolute coherent and neutral • Holographic soundstage & superb resolution of micro-details
This is the new Omega Evolution speaker cable's,though Tara Lab's still makes the original Omega Gold speaker cable's, this is the replacement that is second in model line-up, while the Omega Gold is now third in the current model line up, The Omega™ Evolution - 8ft/2.4m
The Omega Evolution has now become one of TARA Labs ultimate speaker cables. The Omega Evolution is just one step below the Grandmaster Evolution speaker cables. The RSC conductors are insulated with a fine layer of aerospace polyethylene, a very neutral material with almost no audible effect.
The Omega Evolution delivers lifelike, almost holographic sound, pin-point imaging and clear resolution of fine detail with extreme ease. What you will hear is an accurate harmonic structure extending upwards with the finest and most delicate of high frequencies. This will be contrasted with a vanishingly low noise floor. The reproduction of the recorded space can only be described as holographic. The qualities of a reverberation and ambient retrieval are simply astonishing. The Omega Evolution has a level of performance that is beyond comparison to any other speaker cable in the world with the obvious exception of the Grandmaster Evolution. •BSM (with 1/4'’ or 5/16’’ Spades or Bananas •4+ gauge conductor runs per channel •SAOF-8N copper •Each channel comprised of 224 RSC Gen 2 conductors in Aero-PE GMI dielectric •Separate positive and negative conductor run for each channel •Helixed Rectangular Solid-Core conductors and air-tube technology •Spectacular power and clarity. Absolutely neutral and coherent •Superb resolution of micro-detail and ambient information •Powerful dynamic contrasts. Superbly defined and vivid images
Stereophile Magazine 2014 Recommended Components Fall Edition
"TARA Labs Zero Evolution: $18,000/1m The Zero Evolution is an all-new, physically flexible, easier to manage air-dielectric interconnect than the original Zero with†non-insulated rectangular solid-core conductors. Because neither end of The Zero Evolution's shield is attached to ground, TARA employs the Floating Ground Station, a heavy, black box containing Ceralex, a combination of ceramic materials and metallic compounds that absorbs RFI and EMI. Switching from the original Zero to the new Evolution Zero, MF's system benefited yet further from an enormous addition of lushness, texture, and warmth, along with major extensions of air, detail, and transparency, But—"I've heard nothing like it," he declares, adding "a genuine breakthrough, though hideously expensive. The TARA Labs Evolution Zero had a fast, clean, open overall sound, with airy highs and tight bass. The Evolution upgrade adds the rich, textured midrange, while continuing to produce faster attacks, longer sustains, and deeper decays, said Michael Fremer ." (Vol.29 No.12, Zero;Vol.34 No.6 WWW, Zero Gold; Vol.36 No.11, Zero Evolution)".
Hi Audiocrack, Is the tripoint Emperor a new model that juct came out?, I am sorry, I just noticed your post from 2-7-15,what are you useing the Tara Lab's Zero Gold on?, This is my current Interconnect, mind me aking if you could list your system here, BTW, I believe would be impressive, Thankyou Audiocrack.
I am not a metallurgist, I am an enthusiast having fun with cables. This is the best explanation that I've been told. In layman's terms it would be the opposite of heat treating. The process alters the molecular structure of the metals/wires/cables and allows the current/signal to flow more smoothly, evenly with less resistance. Resulting in some amazing changes in high end electronics.
What is the process? The total process takes 72 hours, you have a 24 hour cooling down period dropping the temperature gradually until finally reaching -320 degrees. The temperature is held there for 24 hours, then starts the 24 hour period of bringing it back to room temperature. The 24 hour cooling/warming period is to reduce damage from expansion/contract.
What is the end result? The most important factor or variable would be the quality of your piece of electronics, the higher the quality the greater the change. In audio you will first hear a noticeable difference in the bass, it will be lower and more pronounced. Then you will realize that your noticing things you hadn't heard before. The mids and highs are more vivid, you'll notice better clarity and imaging. The overall sound stage is larger, more defined with greater depth. In a video application the differences are more subtle. I'm finding that the purists notice the most difference. A 60Hz TV will show little to no difference. A 120Hz TV will show a difference but might not be noticed by the average enthusiast. But a 240Hz TV or high end projector will show a definite change. Sharper image, smoother motion, brighter colors, greater depth, and in a 3D application you become part of the movie. Again, the higher the quality, the greater the change.
Hi Gslone, I am sorry, I just seen your post,you asked about the Tara Lab's "The One" speaker cable's, first off, their is no such thing as ISM on board, "The One" speaker cable's, and their is no such thing as natual fiber core in these speaker cable's, So I will be of some help to you, and if you have question's, I will accomidate them as well, here is what the answer is to your 2-10-15 post- Pr. The One CX 8ft/2.4m
Extremely transparent, detailed, open and revealing; spacious soundstage with well defined and vivid images; fine resolution of detail and ambient information. The ISM The One™ has 8+ gauge conductor runs; SA-OF8N® copper; each channel comprised of 70 RSC® Gen 2 conductors in Aero-PE® dielectric; positive/negative run for each channel; positive/negative runs are 35 conductors each, helixed around Teflon® air-tubes™. •BSM (with 1/4” Spades or Bananas) •8+ gauge conductor runs. •SA-OF8N® copper. •Each channel comprised of 70 RSC® Gen 2 conductors in Aero-PE® dielectric. •Positive/negative run for each channel •Positive/negative runs are 35 conductors each helixed around Teflon air tubes •Extremely transparent, detailed, open & revealing •Spacious soundstage with well-defined and vivid images •Fine resolution of detail & ambient images •Extremely neutral & open
This is the new second from the top model interconnect Grandmaster Evolution, The Zero Evolution interconnect, Pr. The Zero Evolution w/HFX 1.0m/3.3ft
The new Zero Evolution is another remarkable breakthrough in cutting edge technology and design from TARA Labs. The Zero Evolution design supersedes the Zero Gold with a 75% increase in bandwidth, in addition to an incredible 2.5pf, resulting in a vanishingly low noise floor that creates the widest dynamic range possible. Our SAOF-8N 99.999999% inline polished conductors uses our new proprietary Liquid-film™ dielectric. The Zero Evolution also includes our new flexible air-tube technology and design. This results in a sound that reveals fine nuances of attack, sustain and delay, and is extremely revealing of subtle high-frequency detail. The listening experience is described as holographic and lifelike. •Zero Evolution design supersedes the Zero Gold with a 75% increase in bandwidth •RCA torque-lock / XLR •Anti-corrosion coated SAOF-8N copper shield •RSC Gen 2 conductors •Teflon and Aero-PE filaments ensure complete air dielectric construction •Controlled spacing of conductor to conductor geometry produces record low interconnect capacitance of 2.5pf (pico-farads) •Controlled geometry for stable electrical characteristics •Extremely revealing with subtle high-frequency detail •All new flexible air-tube technology and design •SAOF-8N inline polished conductors with TARA Labs proprietary Liquid-film™ dielectric •Break through design and technology delivers an incredible listening experience •Extremely low noise floor creates the widest dynamic range that reveals extremely fine nuances of fast attack, sustain and decay
This is a highly regared modest priced, bargain, affordable speaker cable, for those of you that are on a budget and want big bang for the dollar speaker cables, it is a new introduced cable of the Air series model cables, Pr. RSC® Air Forté - 8ft/2.4m
The Air series and Air-tube technology of TARA Labs has been at the forefront of audio cable design for more than twenty years. The Air Forte is a high-performance and highly affordable speaker cable. Each channel is comprised of two separate large Teflon tubes. Each Teflon tube is helixed with 24 RSC Gen 2 conductors, making a total of 48 conductors per channel. This speaker cable takes full advantage of air dielectric design principles.
The Air Forte speaker cable has tight bass frequencies, with a neutral and revealing midrange, where images are rendered with precision and lifelike quality. •BSM (1/4” spades or bananas) •SAOF-8N copper conductors •10+ gauge conductor runs •Each Teflon tube is helixed with 24 RSC Gen 2 conductors •Neutral & revealing •Linear and extended high frequencies •Natural midrange and vocal frequencies •Tight and articulate bass frequencies
Hi Schubert, The $2,500.00 for 8ft Air Forte speaker cable's is full retail, you would be able to find a dealer to discount the price, considering the performance you get and life time warranty, this is a deal, also, This cable out perform's alot out there in it's price class, you can call Tara Labs and talk to Devon Scott to talk to him about what he can do for you with this out standing speaker cable,most componet's these days cost north of $1,000.00 per componet,so does alot of the after market speaker cables,cheers.
I have owned at least a hundred different speaker cables in the last 40 years, mid-priced from all of the usual suspects, costliest was an MIT at about 1800 THE best one ,that IMO has no faults , at least in the symphonic music that is my fare, is an 8 ft pr of ZU Libtec that cost me all of $122 dollars, shipped from ZU.
Jmcgrgan2, I have listen to High-fidelity cables, what is really funny, they do not make a cable in exsistance as good as the model's I have, and the new Zero evolution and Grandmaster Evolution drarfs their entire brand!, and before you ask, YES!, I have listened to all of these cables!
Here is two Tara Labs phono cable's, for all that enjoy vynl playback, these cable's are current production, they are some of the best available at any cost, Zero GX Phono Cable - 5Pin DIN 1.0m
◦Right angle / straight 5 pin DIN / RCA or XLR
The Zero GX Phono-Cable is made using a pair of Rectangular Solid Core® conductors for each channel. These two RSC conductors are combined with a group of eight smaller Teflon® tubes, helixed around a larger Teflon® center tube per channel. The conductors are continuous from end to end, not cut at the Phono-Cable Y junction. The Zero GX Phono-Cable is not a simple twisted pair design with high Capacitance and attenuation of high-frequencies. The design intention is to provide a Phono-Cable with very low Capacitance and extreme high-frequency extension. This may be problematic with some Low-Output Phono-Cartridges. Due to the extremely low Capacitance of this design, the use of the Zero GX Phono-Cable is best used with medium to high output cartridges. Please note that TARA Labs offers high-quality solutions for Low-Output Phono-Cartridges, namely the Zero LX Series of Phono-Cables.
At the Y junction of The Zero GX Phono-Cable, we have invented and arranged a “star-ground” system with a variety of optional male/female mini-banana connections. This system is unrivalled in that it provides the option of floating or connecting different sections of The Zero GX Phono-Cable shielding system.
There are subtle differences to be heard, some of which are caused by slight variations in the shield and grounding arrangements of the cartridge and the tonearm, and the turntable and the phono-preamp.
As we all know, the shield/ground formats in the Phono interface are sometimes different enough to create a hum or buzz problem. With The Zero GX Phono Cables’ proprietary shielding system, we are able to provide a method of optimizing the shield and ground system for the lowest possible noise floor in this critical component interface.
Pr. Zero GX Phono Interconnect 1.0m
◦RCA (Torque-Lock™) ◦XLR
◦The Zero GX Interconnect Cable for Phono-Cable use, is made using a pair of Rectangular Solid Core® conductors for each channel. These two RSC conductors are combined with a group of eight smaller Teflon® tubes, helixed around a larger Teflon® center tube per channel. The Zero GX is not a simple twisted pair design with high Capacitance and attenuation of high-frequencies. The design intention is to provide a Phono-Cable Interface with very low Capacitance and extreme high-frequency extension. This may be problematic with some Low-Output Phono-Cartridges. Due to the extremely low Capacitance of this design, the use of the Zero GX Phono-Cable is best used with medium to high output cartridges. Please note that TARA Labs offers high-quality solutions for Low-Output Phono-Cartridges, namely the Zero LX Series of Phono-Cables.
Hi Bonzo75, Welcome to the thread, are you asking if any one has moved from the Tara cobalt to another new model Tara lab's power cord?,from the Cobalt up Their is the Cobalt Reference, Omega Evolution power cord,Grandmaster Evolution power cord, these power cord's are in order starting with the Cobalt to the Grandmaster Evolution, Do you own a Tara Labs cobalt power cord?
Hi Schubert, That depends on what you or some one considers mid-priced speaker cables, In the case of price point you are talking about, yes, I can see how you would think that the new affordable Tara Labs Air Forte speaker cables are exspensive, The Air Forte is a new introduced model that has not been in the market but 5 months, Schubert, their is alot of folks that believe they should never spend big money on cables, I for one use to be one of those people, until I heard what was possible, No, not all cables are worth their asking retail price, most componet's are not worth the asking price to me either, however, this hobby, as we all know is exspensive, In the case of the Tara Labs Air Forte speaker cables, you get more than what you pay for in this price point compaired to other brand speaker cables, that is why I said, This cable is a good bang for the dollar,cheers.
Oh boy, another one who thinks I do not hear what I have listened too!,or, that I have listened to what I have had in my home to audition, really!, I do not owe you an explanation!
I am using the Taralabs zero gold ic between my Kondo m1000 preamp and dedicated Genesis 1.1 woofer amps. These amps are only being used to power the G 1.1 woofer towers. You can find my system listed on the whatsbestforum, more specific in the two threads that I started there regarding the Tripoint Troy signature and recently the Tripoint emperor. The latter is a state of the art 'grounding device'. As mentioned, you can find my comments on the whatsbestforum where I also sfarted some time ago a thread regarding the Taralabs grandmaster evolution ic's and loudspeaker cables.
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