AudioQuest Mackenzie Series XLR Interconnects (Pair) - 5ft

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General:
This is a great pair of XLR interconnects from AudioQuest totaling 5ft in length. 

It features a beautiful braided cable jacket with super nice XLR connection ends that feel very nicely made. 

From Audioquest:
Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) Conductors
Solid conductors prevent electrical and magnetic strand-interaction. PSC+ Solid-Copper minimizes distortion caused by grain boundaries and maximizes linear RF Noise-Dissipation.

Carbon-Based 3-Layer Noise-Dissipation
It's easy to accomplish 100% shield coverage. Preventing captured Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) from modulating the equipment's ground reference requires AQ's Noise-Dissipation System (NDS). Traditional shield systems typically absorb and then drain noise/RF energy to component ground, modulating and distorting the critical "reference" ground plane, which in turn causes a distortion of the signal. NDS's alternating layers of metal and carbon-loaded synthetics "shield the shield," absorbing and reflecting most of this noise/RF energy before it reaches the layer attached to ground.

Direction-Controlled Conductors
All drawn metal strands or conductors have a non-symmetrical, and therefore directional, grain structure. AudioQuest controls the resulting RF impedance variation so that noise is drained away from where it will cause distortion. The correct direction is determined by listening to every batch of metal conductors used in every AudioQuest audio cable. When applicable, arrows are clearly marked on the connectors to ensure superior sound quality. For most models of AQ cable, the arrows not only indicate the direction that optimizes metal-directionality as part of Noise-Dissipation, but also indicates non-symmetrical attachment of shield and GND in order to optimize full-system performance. A fundamental aspect of AudioQuest's multifaceted Noise-Dissipation technology, Direction-Controlled Conductors ensure induced noise is dissipated and drained properly.

Triple-Balanced Geometry
Our Triple-Balanced Geometry uses a separate ground-reference conductor, so the cable's shield is never used as an inferior conductor. Whether prepared with RCA or XLR plugs, the cable's three conductors ensure that the positive and negative signals have equally superior, low-distortion conducting paths.

Hard-Cell Foam Insulation
Hard-Cell Foam (HCF) Insulation ensures critical signal-pair geometry. Any solid material adjacent to a conductor is actually part of an imperfect circuit. Wire insulation and circuit board materials all absorb energy. Some of this energy is stored and then released as distortion. Hard-Cell Foam Insulation is similar to the Foamed-PE used in our more affordable Bridges & Falls cables, and is nitrogen-injected to create air pockets. Because nitrogen (like air) does not absorb energy and therefore does not release any energy from or into the conductor, distortion is reduced. In addition, the stiffness of the material allows the cable's conductors to maintain a stable relationship along the cable's full length, producing a stable impedance character and further minimizing distortion.
Cold-Welded, Hanging-Silver Directly Over Pure Purple Copper Terminations
- Fits most XLR connectors: Ensures a simple connection.
- Perfect-Surface Copper+ solid-cable conductors: Reduce signal distortion and ensure protection.
- Noise-Dissipation system: Fends off pesky disturbances that mess with your sound.
- 1.64' length: Enables optimal placement.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: Mackenzie XLR > XLR delivers high-quality sound for a superior entertainment experience.
- Clear Signal Transmission: Minimizes interference and reduces distortion to enable naturally beautiful, deeply impactful bass for a more enjoyable listening experience.
- High-Quality Materials and Design: High-purity conductor metal, carefully selected insulation, and sophisticated shielding ensure minimal distortion.
- Versatile Connectivity: Ideal for connecting XLR-equipped AV receivers, amplifiers, audio sources, and more.
- Durable and Reliable Design: Built to withstand everyday use, ensuring consistent performance.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Light connector and jacket wear. Overall very good

Brand Background:
AudioQuest's founder and chief designer, William E. Low (Bill), sees AudioQuest as a company that develops tools for enhancing the in-home experience of audio and video entertainment. Be it a speaker cable, HDMI cable or a portable digital audio product, AudioQuest's varied offerings provide value and performance to the retailer and enthusiastic consumer alike.

AudioQuest has been the most significant cable supplier to the high-end specialist market for many years. With its offerings sold in several thousand outlets in over sixty countries, AudioQuest focuses on delivering excellent value and performance in every product the company develops.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
XLR

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Just the cables

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Original MSRP:
$564.00

Dimensions:
5ft

Testing Process:
Cables are generally pretty simple and do not require a great deal of testing. We do however perform a visual inspection of all of the connectors for damage or significant wear.

Most power and interconnect cables can be verified with a simple continuity test with a digital multimeter.

Some cables feature dielectric bias systems which are powered by external power supplies or batteries. These devices are checked for proper function where applicable.

We do not perform A/B comparisons of cables in real world conditions, and cannot offer objective observations in this regard.