CONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN TARA Labs high-end audio cables are world renowned for technology and design. Beginning with our proprietary SAOF-8N conductors - Super-annealed, oxygen-free, mono-crystal, frequency-tuned, 99.999999% pure copper conductor. *Below is a breakdown of the process. 99.999999% Copper conductor: This translates to an audio cable conductor that is 99.999999% pure, for incredible musicality, detail & performance. Super Annealing: is a process that softens and increases the conductivity of the copper conductor. TARA Labs take this process several steps further by annealing the copper conductor beyond the ASTM standard. That’s the: American Society of Testing and Materials. After annealing, the RSC conductors are polished in-line, and will become finished SA-OF8N® Rectangular Solid Core conductors ready for insulation using advanced polymers, air or liquid-film technology. Oxygen-free: Removal of all oxygen molecules for better signal transfer and less distortion. Mono-Crystal: TARA Labs uses a proprietary process to create a single mono-crystal conductor that translates into one long continuous crystal. This virtually eliminates all distortion caused by the junctions between crystals in copper conductors. Those junctions acting like miniature diodes, will alter the flow of high-frequency AC, causing the audible distortion. Mono crystal eliminates this effect. Frequency Tuned: This is accomplished once the copper is extruded into a rectangular shape with exact geometrical measurements. This creates a conductor that is superior in high-frequency extension and detail. Rectangular Solid Core conductors (RSC): Starting with Oxygen Free Eight Nines Copper (99.999999%), the copper rods are extruded into long, unbroken, mono-crystal copper rectangular conductors. The unique rectangular shape is geometrically formed to having specific ‘frequency-tuned’ proportions. RSC offers a shape that has a unique advantage over round conductors. RSC has the necessary mass for solid bass, yet are thin enough for a coherent reproduction of mid-range and high frequencies. The RSC is not subject to the same high frequency losses that hamper traditional round conductors. To further understand the principle behind RSC technology, it is necessary to understand a phenomenon known as “skin effect” This principle states that in a round conductor, higher frequencies will tend to travel towards the outside, or “skin” of the conductor, while lower frequencies will travel closer to 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. (RSC) Why Rectangular? Our proprietary RSC (Rectangular Solid Core) conductors, offers a unique advantage over round conductors. They have the necessary mass for solid bass, yet are thin enough for a coherent reproduction of mid- range and high frequencies. The frequency-tuned RSC is not subject to the same high frequency losses that hamper traditional round conductors. To further understand the principle behind RSC technology, it is necessary to understand a phenomenon known as “skin effect” This principle states that in a round conductor, higher frequencies will tend to travel towards the outside (or skin) of the conductor, while lower frequencies will travel closer to 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. The final results are limitless high-end frequency extension, exceptional detail, frequency linearity of midrange & bass, low-noise floor, holographic soundstage with superb life-like musicality. TARA LABS DIELECTRICS TARA Labs created “Air-Tube Dielectric Technology” back in 1986, and is often employed in our reference grade cables. TARA Labs also uses a combination of premium Aero-PE® GMI™ and medical grade Teflon when constructing dielectrics. As with all TARA Labs audio cables, it not only about our proprietary materials, it’s also about the geometry of shape and size. Exact cable construction geometry is imperative to how the final resulting cable will sound. Measurements as small as microns is absolutely crucial to developing the final product to be used in conjunction with their proprietary conductor technology. Dielectric materials of Aero-PE® GMI™, which translates to “Glass Microsphere Infused.” GMI can be described as microscopic hollow glass spheres that are infused into the aerospace polyethylene dielectric, there for a minimal amount of Aero –PE is actually used in the insulation of each TARA Labs conductor for our speaker cables. TARA LABS TERMINATIONS TARA Labs uses only the finest terminations when terminating their interconnect audio cables. All interconnects come equipped with state of the art XLR, RCA and BNC gold plated terminations. Each interconnect termination features an outer layer of gold-plating of 30 microns over high copper content alloy, to ensure frequency linearity and audio band signal transfer. TARA Labs speaker cables come equipped with “banana spade modules” Known as BSM’s. This allows the listener to switch out the termination using either bananas or spades. This technology proves invaluable when switching out multiple components. Each BSM is internally hollowed to ensure high frequency extension. Soft pins are also available for our speaker cables. PRODUCT TESTING TARA Labs uses a variety of specialized testing procedures and equipment to ensure that every cable meets our rigid standards. Each cable must pass through a variety of stringent testing stations. Example: Point to Point Signal Continuity using Hewlett Packard and Tektronix spectrum analyzers to ensure that every cable has the correct specifications. The final process is that each cable is evaluated and listened to in our sound room using a wide variety of audio components.
THE ZERO GOLD G2 (Gen2): One of the most successful audio cables of all time is the original ZERO Gold Interconnect from TARA Labs. The original ZERO Gold was praised for its breakthrough performance. In the Gen 2 design, technology has literally been borrowed from the famous and more expensive ZERO Evolution Interconnect. Available now is the ZERO Gold Generation 2 Interconnect at a lower price with complete flexibility and better performance than the original ZERO Gold. The breakthrough improvements include greater bandwidth and a completely new and proprietary air-dielectric construction. TARA Labs first introduced air dielectric interconnect cables in 1986; 30 years ago. And instead of using round conductors in air-tubes, TARA Labs uses Rectangular Solid Core® (RSC®) conductors which are 'seated' inside small air-tubes™. The new Zero Gold G2 makes full use of this technology. The new Zero Gold G2 will offer the listener an audio cable that is absolutely fabulous! Extremely low in capacitance at 3 pF, with a sound that can be described as holographic. Exceptional high-frequency extension and detail, expansive soundstage with spatial cues with a bottom end that is rich and full of bloom, in addition to a substantial low noise floor. This interconnect is simply astounding for the price. And for audiophiles who remember the original Zero Gold, the flexibility of the new Zero Gold G2 will simply amaze them.
The TARA Labs Grandmaster Evolution Digital Interconnect uses a pair of RSC® Gen 3 Rectangular Solid Core® conductors. In the AES/EBU format, the conductors are critically spaced to ensure an exacting 110 Ohm characteristic impedance; this is the AES/EBU format used with XLR connectors. The RSC Gen 3 conductors are smaller than the Gen 2 version, and this provides a more extended bandwidth for the digital signal. The TARA Labs Grandmaster Evolution Interconnect uses a system of woven filaments constructed from small Teflon tubes, to expand and displace the shield further away from the signal carrying conductors. In this way, the Grandmaster Evolution Digital Interconnect is able to reduce digital distortion, called ‘jitter’.*(Jitter explains why Digital cables sound different from on to another) The Grandmaster Evolution Digital cable is simply the most astonishing digital cable in the world today. No cable comes close except the Zero Evolution Digital interconnect. Optimized RCA-75 ohm & XLR-110 ohm AES/EBU configurationAnti-corrosion coated SA-OF8N copper shield Supplied with TARA Labs exclusive HFX Floating Ground Station featuring ISM technologyRSC Gen 3 SA-OF8N copper in-line hand polished conductors Optimized geometryGen 3 conductor eliminates coloration and distortion & jitter, Exceptionally revealing of low-level ambient and spatial information Phenomenal die-electric construction and rectangular sold core conductors create an unbelievable, vanishingly low noise floor
Hi glory, I live in mobile, Al, I go to Pensacola, Fl every weekend, I heard rumor's of a high-end audio store in gulf breeze or there in Destin that have the jbl Everrest 67000 speaker's and other good audio, is this true?, I lived in Destin, Ft Walton, Navare, and Pensacola from 1990 to 1996, loved living there, I moved around a lot back in those day's😀
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. (Click on image to enlarge) 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 Bananas4+ gauge conductor runs per channelSAOF-8N copperEach channel comprised of 280 RSC Gen 2 conductors in Aero-PE GMI dielectricSeparate positive and negative conductor run for each channelHelixed Rectangular Solid-Core conductors and air-tube technologySpectacular power and clarity. Absolutely neutral and coherentSuperb resolution of micro-detail and ambient informationPowerful dynamic contrasts. Superbly defined and vivid images
Making Sense of … Standard and SP version Speaker Cables At TARA Labs, the major design goal for speaker cables is to reduce the inductance in the cable. However, there are some high-end amplifiers that need to 'see' some level of inductance (L) in the speaker cable. When the low damping factor of certain amplifiers is connected with (ultra-low inductance) TARA Labs speaker cables, the output of some high-end loudspeakers becomes audibly variable at different frequencies.Extreme Audio Systems and Extreme Performance Cables with Low Inductance specifically for speakers that require additional inductance in a speaker cable. The phenomenon is readily apparent, heard as bass that is soft and low in amplitude, sometimes together with high frequencies that are too smooth or rolled-off. Basically, the resistance in the loudspeaker cable should be ultra-low, and the inductance (L) in the cable needs to be low but sufficient to provide a load to certain amplifiers. There is no ideal value for (L). It varies from system to system, just as impedance varies with frequency in most loudspeakers. The loudspeaker cables carry much higher signal voltage and current into a non-linear impedance (the loudspeaker) ... so the reactive load of the loudspeaker can be difficult for some amplifiers to drive... and the all-important damping factor of the amplifier changes from amplifier to amplifier. One of the great attributes of TARA labs high-end Speaker Cables is their ultra-low inductance. These Speaker Cables are the 'state-of-the-art' in both technology and design from TARA Labs. Its performance level is absolutely spectacular when matched with the majority of high-end audio components available today. And as with an ever increasing introduction of new components into the marketplace, we have found over and over again that not every cable or component has the perfect symbiotic relationship with each other. In these particular instances, there are some amplifiers that need to 'see' some level of inductance (L) in the speaker cable. For certain loudspeakers and amplifiers, these cables are designed to work exceptionally well with amplifiers with a low damping factor or loudspeakers with a very reactive load in the lower frequencies. In addition to inductance, TARA Labs SP model speaker cables are also designed for audio systems that are inherently bright or strident in their sound. They offer a controlled bandwidth by being more forgiving with glare or stridency.
Hi pweg, I was curious, what is the power output of your triode trx m845 mono block amplifier’s?, I do not believe I know about these amplifier’s, can you post pic’s here for me ?, cheers.
TARA Labs embodies what can be described as true hand-crafted methods of high-end products. Designed and created by TARA Labs Design Team (TLDT) led by Matthew Bond & Merrill Bergs, all TARA Labs audio cables are manufactured in our factory in Southern Oregon, USA, and lifetime guaranteed.
Every TARA Labs high-end audio cable is meticulously hand-crafted by our factory lab technicians. A good example on exactly what goes into this process is offered by the below construction techniques in building just one pair of our Omega Evolution speaker cables.
The process for manufacturing these cables begins by the cutting, forming, measuring, and then the hand polishing of each one of the 576 – TARA Labs copper conductors.
All the dielectrics are prepared including customizing the multiple size air tubes, outer & inner sleeve layers, as well as other proprietary cable components. This includes our custom hardware, all of which have to be machined, polished and laser etched before final assembly of the product. This would also include all cable terminations. As far as the actual labor to make these cables, it takes two senior technicians working an 8 hour day, for 10 days just for that one pair. That’s a combined 160 hours to make just one pair of our reference grade speaker cables.
Throughout the process, each cable goes through multiple testing stations to ensure every aspect of the product meets our rigid standards. TARA Labs uses a variety of specialized testing procedures and equipment to ensure that every cable meets our rigid standards. Each cable must pass through a variety of stringent testing stations. Point to Point Signal Continuity using Hewlett Packard and Tektronix spectrum analyzers to ensure that every cable has the correct specifications.
The final stage is when each cable is listened to, and evaluated in our sound room using a wide variety of audio components. Product is then packaged and shipped all over the world.
The GrandMaster 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 rejection.
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.
siltech ruby double crown power cords,PAD Neptune Power cords, Siltech golden eagle double crown digital, PAD Neptune interconnects and Tara Labs Zero Gold Get 2 interconnects
Pweg, Very nice system to say the least, I mentioned the none sp omega Evolution speaker cable's because on some system's the two model's do yield a difference in sound, what other cable's are you using?, cheers.
the Omega Evolution SP's are the quietest cables i have had. Dead silent and inky blacks. They also have this spaciousness that seems to wrap around you - other than that the main sense i get with these cables is a sense of calmness - voices sound more natural and there is less obvious bass and treble and more wholeness. This last point i make because i had some super expensive euro cables that had awesome bass and great striking treble and at first i loved them but they just wore me down over time. The TaraLabs in my system just seem to sound more right couple with exceptional spatial details.
Hi preg, please describe the sound with everything else about the cable as it’s breaking in, alot of reader’s want to hear from other user’s of taralab’s cable’s, especially, calvinj!
TARA Labs embodies what can be described as true hand-crafted methods of high-end products. Designed and created by TARA Labs Design Team (TLDT) led by Matthew Bond & Merrill Bergs, all TARA Labs audio cables are manufactured in our factory in Southern Oregon, USA, and lifetime guaranteed.Every TARA Labs high-end audio cable is meticulously hand-crafted by our factory lab technicians. A good example on exactly what goes into this process is offered by the below construction techniques in building just one pair of our Omega Evolution speaker cables.The process for manufacturing these cables begins by the cutting, forming, measuring, and then the hand polishing of each one of the 576 – TARA Labs copper conductors.All the dielectrics are prepared including customizing the multiple size air tubes, outer & inner sleeve layers, as well as other proprietary cable components. This includes our custom hardware, all of which have to be machined, polished and laser etched before final assembly of the product. This would also include all cable terminations. As far as the actual labor to make these cables, it takes two senior technicians working an 8 hour day, for 10 days just for that one pair. That’s a combined 160 hours to make just one pair of our reference grade speaker cables.Throughout the process, each cable goes through multiple testing stations to ensure every aspect of the product meets our rigid standards. TARA Labs uses a variety of specialized testing procedures and equipment to ensure that every cable meets our rigid standards. Each cable must pass through a variety of stringent testing stations. Point to Point Signal Continuity using Hewlett Packard and Tektronix spectrum analyzers to ensure that every cable has the correct specifications.The final stage is when each cable is listened to, and evaluated in our sound room using a wide variety of audio components. Product is then packaged and shipped all over the world.
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 85,000 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• 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
The TARA Labs Grandmaster Evolution Digital Interconnect uses a pair of RSC® Gen 3 Rectangular Solid Core® conductors. In the AES/EBU format, the conductors are critically spaced to ensure an exacting 110 Ohm characteristic impedance; this is the AES/EBU format used with XLR connectors. The RSC Gen 3 conductors are smaller than the Gen 2 version, and this provides a more extended bandwidth for the digital signal. The TARA Labs Grandmaster Evolution Interconnect uses a system of woven filaments constructed from small Teflon tubes, to expand and displace the shield further away from the signal carrying conductors. In this way, the Grandmaster Evolution Digital Interconnect is able to reduce digital distortion, called ‘jitter’.*(Jitter explains why Digital cables sound different from on to another) The Grandmaster Evolution Digital cable is simply the most astonishing digital cable in the world today. No cable comes close except the Zero Evolution Digital interconnect. Optimized RCA-75 ohm & XLR-110 ohm AES/EBU configurationAnti-corrosion coated SA-OF8N copper shieldSupplied with TARA Labs exclusive HFX Floating Ground Station featuring ISM technologyRSC Gen 3 SA-OF8N copper in-line hand polished conductorsOptimized geometryGen 3 conductor eliminates coloration and distortion & jitterExceptionally revealing of low-level ambient and spatial informationPhenomenal die-electric construction and rectangular solid core conductors create an unbelievable, vanishingly low noise floor.
PROFESSIONAL STUDIO CABLEThis cable is made exclusively for the recording studio. *The PX silentPLUG is fantastic for this cable as it allows a musician to unplug and switch instruments in the recording studio without the hassle of turning down/off your amplifier. (*See below CABLE TERMINATION) (Click on image to enlarge)INSTRUMENT CABLE INFORMATIONTARA Labs has taken its incredible thirty year expertise in cutting edge technology & design, and developed a high-end instrument cable. Used with guitar, bass, keyboards, or in the recording studio. Used in recordings by Stanly Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Kenny Burrell, and endorsed by such legendary musicians and producers as; Larry Carlton, David Benoit, Nathan East, Jeffrey Webber, in addition to such prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Capitol Records studio, Sony studio.CABLE CONSTRUCTIONEvery TARA Labs cable is custom hand-crafted to order in Oregon, USA. The construction of this cable begins with our RSC (Rectangular Solid Core) SA-8NOF (Super-annealed, oxygen-free, mono-crystal, frequency-tuned, hand-polished 99.999999% pure copper conductors. This is covered with advanced Aero-PE dielectrics and skid-resistance outer sleeve.CABLE TERMINATIONTARA Labs also makes available the “silentPLUG” for cable termination. The new PX silentPLUG automatically mutes (shorts) an instrument (guitar) cable to avoid pops and squeals when changing the instrument (guitar) under load. The integrated silent switch is based on REED-technology and guarantees a lifetime beyond 10 '000 mating cycles. The new PX silentPLUG features a rugged metal shell enhanced with a rubber cushion overlay for improved shock protection. The plug itself is gold plated. The “silentPLUG” is exceptional when used in situation where instruments are being interchanged, without having to either turn-down or turn-off the amplifier. All termination is gold-plated.*Straight plug & Right angle plug available / ¼” mono or stereo termination connectors are availableCABLE SOUNDYou will hear exquisite high frequency extension, tight bass, spatial cues, and full mid-range that is detailed and open. A low-noise floor, and excellent sound-stage. Both cable models offer superior quality. These cables are far beyond any other high-end instrument cables available in the marketplace today. Endorsed by the worlds leading recording studios, music venues, and musicians.For musicians and producers who demand the very best in equipment, instruments and recording.WARRANTYAll TARA Labs cables have a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects.
The Muse Speaker Cable is a newly developed high-end speaker cable from TARA Labs. Construction includes using PTFE (Teflon) air-tube construction along with a trio of helixed Rectangular Solid Core® conductors. Each channel uses 144 Rectangular Solid Core® conductors with a total gauge size greater than a 6-gauge conductor, together with the high frequency extension and linearity of a 32-gauge conductor. This cable provides exceptional performance and high current carrying capability and is truly a high-end reference audio cable at a price that is far below comparable reference cables. The Muse Speaker Cable has excellent mid-range & bass weight. Neutrality and revealing in all frequencies, as well as excellent spatial cues. The main characteristic of the Muse speaker cables are their incredible musicality! Beautiful, refined, with outstanding detail and extension. A cable this is “listenable” for hours on end with no fatigue whatsoever. BSM (1/4” spades & bananas)144 RSC Gen 2 conductor per channel8+ gauge conductor runsPositive/negative run for each channelPositive/negative conductor runs are 72 conductors eachExtremely transparent and neutralMidrange and vocals are life-like with realism and presenceIncreased sense of warmth and richnessVivid and detailed imageryMusical, elegant and refined sound.
The Zero Evolution Phono-Cable is the epitome of high-end reference quality phono cables. The design and technology used in creating this exceptional cable, is a far cry above any other phono cables that are currently available in today’s marketplace. Extremely low Capacitance as well as exceptional high-frequency extension The Zero Evolution Phono-Cable works very well with all cartridges regardless of voltage. The Zero Evolution also incorporates a “star-ground” system (SGS) 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. Using The Zero Evolution Phono Cables’ superb 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. 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 Evolution Phono Cables’ proprietary shielding system (SGS), 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.“Master” Gen3 Conductor is: 99.999999% Oxygen-free, mono-crystal, rectangular solid core, hand-polished, frequency-tuned copper conductor.Available termination: RCA, XLR, 5 pin DINHandcrafted in USA and lifetime guaranteedExcellent high-frequency extension & exceptional detailTight bass & full midrangeExtremely revealingImpressive holographic soundstageNeutral & naturalUnparalleled musicality
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