Transparent Cable - Technology for the Best Sound
Hardly any topic divides the hi-fi community as deeply as the debate about the usefulness and effects of expensive cables. Opinions range from convinced skeptics who swear by their hardware store wires to almost fanatical advocates of esoterically expensive cable theories. In relevant online forums, discussions about cables reliably get out of hand and, aside from mutual insults among participants, usually end without any real result.
And it must be admitted that in the past, there has indeed been some misuse with hi-fi cables. Time and again, manufacturers have succumbed to the temptation to package cheaply produced cables in fancy textile coverings and with grand marketing promises, selling them as expensive high-end products.
Cables beyond voodoo and marketing promises
On the other hand, there are repeatedly cable demonstrations with such impressively clear results that even die-hard skeptics cannot ignore them.
It's important to recognize something fundamental about cables in a hi-fi system: cables can never improve the sound of the system. At best, they only degrade it—sometimes more, sometimes less. Put another way: if you want to fully realize the sonic potential of your hi-fi components, you also need the right cables.
Transparent Audio: Cable research for more than two decades
What exactly makes a "right" cable is something Transparent Audio has been researching for more than 25 years. The starting point and decisive criterion is always the music itself. At their headquarters in Saco, in the US East Coast state of Maine, Transparent has one of the most sophisticated listening rooms in the industry, equipped with a wide variety of speakers and components.
Regular excursions to concerts of the symphony orchestra in nearby Portland train the hearing of all employees. Technically sophisticated recordings of these same concerts are then used for review in their own listening room. This way, the engineers develop a fine feeling for the essential aspects that make music: balanced tonality, detailed dynamics, and an open, accurate spatial presentation.
In parallel, the developers at Transparent have an ever-growing wealth of experience regarding the electrical properties of a cable and how to control them. After all, every cable is first and foremost an electrical conductor; nothing more, nothing less. And at the same time, by far the longest part of the path a music signal takes from the source to the speakers.
The main thing is stability
The geometry of a cable has a decisive influence on its respective electrical properties. That’s why every Transparent cable is first based on a stable mechanical construction. This ensures a consistent cable geometry under all circumstances, so the electrical properties of the cable remain largely unchanged when the cable is moved, bent, or twisted.
The Transparent Network
With its own technology, Transparent has taken things several decisive steps further over the years. All speaker cables and all analog signal cables from the Americans (except for the entry-level program under the name Hardwired) are equipped with the unique "Transparent Network." This consists of relatively simple, but based on decades of experience, highly precise circuits that adapt all electrical properties of the cable to a previously determined optimal length.
This means, on the one hand, easy system cabling: A 2-meter XLR cable from Transparent will sound the same as a 3-meter cable from the same series. They can be freely combined or swapped with each other. With speaker cables, the advantage of the "Transparent Network" becomes even more apparent: Unlike conventional cables, speaker cables from Transparent can be combined in different lengths per side without sonic problems, for example if the system is not placed centrally between the speakers but on the side of the room. Since Transparent cables have the same electrical properties regardless of length, they always sound the same.
Transparent – Handmade in USA
Apart from the entry-level cables under the sub-brand Hardwired, Transparent equips its cables with the "Transparent Network" starting from the entry-level series "The Link" and "The Wave." In the more expensive series that build on this, the networks become increasingly complex, allowing even more precise tuning of the cables' electrical properties. However, the fundamental sound character remains, so cables from different series can also be combined.
All cables from the Transparent brand are handmade in Saco and the surrounding area, which allows for virtually any conceivable individual customization. For Transparent’s top series from "Reference" upwards, the cables are made exclusively to order and for the customer's specific requirements. It goes so far that with the speaker cable of the top series "Magnus Opus," even the shape of the connector to the speaker is taken into account. Years ago, the engineers in Saco discovered that it makes a measurable difference whether, for example, a straight or a 90-degree angled cable lug is used—something that can be corrected in the extremely precise network of this exceptional cable.
More than ones and zeros
Digital signal cables, as well as USB and Ethernet connections, are also part of the Transparent range. Tests have shown that an integrated network in these types of cables does not have a positive effect on the sound. Instead, the developers focus on the mechanical construction of cables and connectors, as well as on shielding and the dissipation of high-frequency interference from the environment and connected devices. It sounds simple, but can often have an astonishingly impressive sonic impact—experience it for yourself at our store!
Transparent also devotes great effort to the optimal power supply for your hi-fi system. The range includes high-quality power cables of various quality levels as well as active power conditioners such as the new Transparent PowerWave. Both can significantly enhance your system’s sound quality. And again, hearing is believing—we are happy to demonstrate the influence that power supply can have on sound.
Listening recommendations
Since the fundamental character of all Transparent cables is similar, you can enjoy the benefits of Transparent technology even with the entry-level series. Nothing stands in the way of a future upgrade, especially since Transparent offers special trade-in conditions for this. We can therefore unreservedly recommend the following cables for a first listening experience. If you are interested, please arrange a listening appointment with us in Hamm, Münster, or Hamburg.
Speaker Cable – Transparent The Wave
Analog Signal Cable – Transparent The Link RCA
Turntable Cable – Transparent Musiclink Phono
Power Supply – Transparent PowerWave
