The cicable
range contains
exclusivly signal,
dgital and mains
cables.
We also deliver
cables for
special applications
on customers
requests.
basicsresistors
+ connectorsinterconnect
+ digital cablemains
cable power
source crossoverssummary
One day – just by chance ...A new idea often has its seed in a unexpected occurrence: While listening to two digital cables of the same type, certain differences were audible. Further measurements showed that these cables had different qualities. One of the cables didn’t transfer high frequency signals in one direction at all and they also performed irregular in signal transferring in both directions.
A closer look at other cables, – also of the highest price categories, revealed shocking results: production tolerances and bad cable termination lead to differences only expected among cables of different constructions!
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The figure shows the impedance for all four directions of stereo interconnects. Compared to the nominal value the variation is higher than 800% and irregular in all directions. The cicable performs absolutely equal in all directions, while the other cable shows extreme variations dependant on the direction [resp. left / right channel]. |
These were the initial thoughts of making cables ourselves. The characteristic feature is a permanent constant impedance behaviour, giving cicable its name, as cicable stands for constant impedance cable.
BasicsIn the past few years, no other HiFi component has been more controversial than the theory and effect of cables. Opinions ran from »makes your HiFi system sound totally different« to »nonsense, illusion, and voodoo«.
It is obvious that permanent quality improvements of devices and circuitry as well as new modern measuring systems have lead to greater scrutiny of all parameters. Matters rated negligible a few years ago are gaining more importance due to new perceptions and techniques. Optimal signal conduction surely belongs to these matters, last but not least evoked by digital technology.
Certainly the characteristics of cables belong to these matters too, as their quality is essential for the capability of conductions.
As analogue circuits became more broadband over the past few years, they also became more receptive for internal or external distortions. Modern HiFi systems are bound to digital technology, either in terms of signal processing or as part of menu–driven processor controlling which operates frequencies in the MHz band.
Anyhow, materials may influence the qualities of a cable, but in general more fundamental parameters define the qualities of cables.
Cables
are part of a complex system ...To understand why cables perform and sound different needs an understanding of the basic technical processes and their transformation in development and manufacturing.
Cables don’t sound »right« or »wrong«, »good« or »bad«. They’re rather part of a system connecting output and input, bridging the gap between transmitter and receiver. Unfortunately cable terminations aren’t standardized; every manufacturer pursues different technical objectives, and especially in high–end configurations the most different components are linked together.
Based on previous thoughts our task is the development of cables with consistent qualities, independent from input and output.
Resistors
ar not equal …Unfortunately the resistance parameters are not only purely resistive for direct voltage and alternating voltage, but they are also capacitive and inductive. Those apparent powers have a bigger significance than the pure direct voltage. The differences between the resistance at ac voltages [impedance] are the main reasons for differences between audio cables. The »sound« of a cable is principally determined by the interaction between source and termination [load]. It’s rather the impedance behaviour at input and output than the cable design that makes connected audio components »behave differently«.
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So it’s necessary to optimise the transferred power between source and receiver by connections with little reflectance using the construction of a transmission line. This is the precondition for an optimal, undisturbed and controlled signal transmission. Interferences are eliminated, and the signal conduction is loss–less.
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and connectors are not equal either!You use 75 ohm cables and connectors for digital connections? Are your signal–leads correctly matched and do they provide an optimum of power transfer, how much power gets absorbed or reflected?
The connections can be clarified with one aspect among numerous others: cicable cables are coaxial constructions with a well defined cable impedance [e.g. digital cables 75ohm], and a matched connector.
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The illustration points out the dependence of the cable qualities and connector types. Although all cables induce a certain mismatch, it makes sense to say that proper cable design should aspire to a correct impedance adjustment and a minimization of mismatch. As stated before, this is only one important element for differences between cables.
Digital
and NF–cables
With
digital cables as the starting point, all analogue and digital
cicable cables are optimised regarding different parameters.
They have an extremely wide band characteristic and a very effective
electromagnetic shielding that reaches into the optimal matched
connector. They also feature a low reflection at both ends and
thereby guarantee clean and low–loss signal transfer.
Especially digital signals necessitate the usage of 75 Ohm cables
and connectors because a mismatch cause attenuation of the digital
signal resulting in slower rise time of the square waves [pulses].
Also, impedance mismatched connections cause reflections of
the signal returning to the source, which is called also as
return loss. These distortions cause transmission errors, especially
with more than one missmatched connections. – The most
important features of cicable interconnects and digital cables
at a glance:
Furthermore,
cicable digital and analogue cables are...
cicable
digital and signal cables feature clearly audible reproduction
improvements, they sound...
The
result: top high–end cables with an optimal signal &
power transfer with constant impedance characteristic, low modulation
effects and improved signal– and power transfer, especially
for transient and pulse signals.
Another hint [due to many costumer queries]: we produce carefully
optimised digital–, signal– and power cables; but
we don’t offer speaker cables.
The graph shows the »soft« damping of radio–frequency distortions at rising frequency.
Mains
cablesStandard power cables generally have two serious disadvantages: They have too small a diameter [current!] and they are ideal antennas for RF frequency distortions.
The cicable PC3+1 EMC is the audiophile power cable with special qualities, contributing a significant enhancement of sound reproduction: High detail and dynamics without exaggeration, silky clean and balanced musicality. These are the materials that improve every HiFi system!
cicable power cables are especially built for digital and power components, but also in other application areas they exhibit their outstanding qualities of noise suppression. In opposite to standard mains cables the PC3+1EMC is a power cable taking account into the latest perceptions of EMC / EMI.
Among other things, the PC3+1 is superior to standard power cables due to its structure: In comparison to usual power cables the PC3+1 features a diameter of 4x1.5mm2. This ensures a low impedance and low loss coupling to handle highest current, which is an essential precondition if peak power is to be released without loss. – The most important features:
Based upon EMC/EMI shielding technology, the power cable is both resistant against radiated RF and conducted distortions.
AC
PowerSource
Unfortunately
numerous and different distortions can’t be eliminated
by only one measure [see
overview]. Passive power filter networks are often
unsuitable, because as a result of their construction they
produce distortions themselves and make devices more receptive
for distortion.
This often leads to unbalanced improvements in certain areas,
and simultaneously to degradation in others. That’s
exactly what manufacturers are trying to avoid by creating
adequate power supplies.
Even active devices cannot solve these problems. Conditional
upon their design principle they can only eliminate distortions
that have already occurred. While only eliminating the distortions
they were created for, others remain unrecognised and not
eliminated.
According to our research, extensive noise suppression is
only possible by using a self–sufficient low distortion
power source. Other solutions are dissatisfying, not properly
thought out and can’t convince due to their poor value
for money.
A complete solution for the whole HiFi system is the cicable
PS2.4Q, an AC power source, operating at the four quadrant
principle and able to supply clean power up to 2000VA at
60V per µsec at lowest distortions.
The results for the sound are astonishing. Existing systems
can be easily pushed to a higher quality level without changing
any other components. In addition to the sound improvements,
the power of the final stage is increased about 10% for the
same distortion independent from power fluctuations.
Further informations see here :: AC PowerSource
PS2.4Q or contact us.
Differences
between the original and the cicble crossover.
Features:
•
clean sound
• silky high frequencies
• better transparency
• natural reproduction
• improved stereo image
• less fatique
• extremly distortion free
• linearised impedance response
• improved matching for amplifiers, especially valve amps
• paimatching typ. better than 0.3dB
Loudspeaker
CrossoversUp to now most improvements of loudspeakers were accessory upgrades, like cables, stands, spikes etc. This time the cicable® external crossover, designed by Derek Hughes, best known for his work at Spendor, shows the full potential of a really well engineered crossover / speaker combination.
First versions supports two legendary classical monitor speakers: the BBC LS3/5a and the Spendor BC1xxx. Crossovers for other high end speakers are planned in the future. We also design and optimise individual solutions for customers on special request, – please call us for further information.
Both cicable xovers are designed as a »no compromise« device and will improve your high grade speaker system more than any other accessory.
The crossovers are designed as external units, so that they are not influenced by the loudspeaker cabinet vibrations and the magnetic field of the drive units [like a magnetic »DC – offset« ] which is reduced by the factor of 10. – Special over–dimensioned components will reduce the amount of distortion by more than 50dB, so that distortion mainly depends on the amplifier and not on the loudspeaker xover design.
The xovers are available in two versions, STANDARD and PREMIUM. The PREMIUM version has further refinement in performance because of even better components in the signal path as well as tighter tolerances.
We believe that this upgrade path is, for many highend and music enthusiasts, the solution that gives the greatest audible improvement to the quality of their system and will be an unrivalled accessory.
The result with both versions are overwhelming. First reviews in England and Germany describe the crossovers as »killer crossovers« . – These crossovers a must for any serious music– and hifi enthusiast !
Further and more detailed information you wil find here :: next.
Summary
cicable products improve the listening pleasure and sound
reproduction quality. The range is well structured and optimised
for best sound performance. cicables are manually produced
with tight tolerances and individually matched to production
reference masters.
We also produce special versions on customers specifications.
If you have questions please contact us or see
:: on special request.
all rights reserved – copyright 1998 > 2006