AudioQuest ThunderBird XLR (Pair)

• Signal-Conducting Metal: Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+)
  
• RF-Draining Metal: Solid Silver-Plated Copper
  
• Geometry: ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic Impedance)
  
• Dielectric: FEP Air-Tubes for minimal signal interference
  
• Dielectric-Bias System: Dual-72v DBS (XLR)
  
• Level 6 Noise-Dissipation: ZERO-Tech + 72-v-DBS + Carbon/Graphene Mesh Net + Directionality
  
• Plug Barrels: Copper-Plated, RF-Draining Housings
  
• Plug Contacts: Plugs Made of Hanging Silver on Red Copper
  

If its Mythical siblings FireBird and Dragon didn't exist, the ThunderBird might be the best cable the world has ever heard.

In addition to other proven AudioQuest materials and construction techniques, the ThunderBird features solid, directional conductors made from AudioQuest's best copper – Perfect Surface Copper+ (PSC+) –, copper-plated, RF-draining plug housings, and the Level-6 Noise-Dissipation System.

All Mythical Creature interconnects are available with custom RCA and XLR connectors.


Features

ZERO-Tech (No Characteristic Impedance) For Linear, Broadband Noise Suppression
The only way to avoid a faulty characteristic impedance mismatch between the cable and the connected source and load circuits is to allow no characteristic impedance in the cable. ZERO-Tech achieves this by eliminating the electrostatic field between low-signal and high-signal conductors. This enables linear noise dissipation (evenly from octave to octave) of high-frequency (RF) noise as well as uncompressed transients. To maintain complete ZERO-Tech isolation between the signal conductors, a dual DBS pack is included for XLR cables.

Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) Conductors
Solid conductors prevent electrical and magnetic interaction between individual strands. PSC+ Solid-Copper reduces distortions caused by existing grain boundaries and enables maximum linear high-frequency noise dissipation.

FEP Air-Tube Dielectric
The positive conductors benefit from almost no contact between the metal and the FEP insulation. The latter is characterized by excellent dielectric constant and minimal signal interference. The negative conductors benefit from "intentionally lossy insulation" – the job of the negative conductor is aided by the absence of air and FEP.

72V Dielectric-Bias System (DBS) with Level X Radio Frequency Noise Trap
Every insulation is also a dielectric, whose properties affect signal integrity. If the insulation is not biased, dielectric interference (absorption and non-linear release of energy back into the signal flow) causes different time delays (phase shift) for different frequencies and energy levels, which is a significant problem for very time-critical multi-octave audio.

AudioQuest's multi-patented DBS creates a strong, stable electrostatic field that saturates and polarizes (organizes) the insulation's molecules. This minimizes non-linear time delays, resulting in a more transparent sound against a "blacker" background.

The Level X RF Noise Trap (a technology developed for the AudioQuest Niagara series) in the DBS battery pack "pulls" RF noise out of the cable and prevents RF from entering the electronics. DBS battery packs last approximately 10 years. Check their condition using the test switch.

Level 6 Noise-Dissipation (Interconnect Cable): ZERO-Tech + 72-v-DBS + Carbon/Graphene Mesh Net + Directionality
High-frequency noise caused by smartphones, Wi-Fi, and satellites is everywhere. AQ's Level 6 linear noise reduction includes a resistive mesh net made of carbon and graphene, directional conductors, 72V DBS, and silver-plated drain wires. The obscuring effects of RF noise are significantly reduced as a result.

Plugs Made of Hanging Silver on Red Copper
The best plugs in the AudioQuest range feature high-quality hanging silver (no barrel process) on extremely pure red copper.

Copper-Plated, RF-Draining Housings
Grounded, copper-plated housings maximize noise dissipation by minimizing capacitive coupling of RF noise with the signal conductors.