Description
Designed and handcrafted using carefully selected combinations of 5N OCC silver conductors, the Audiolund True Silver Series is meticulously fine-tuned to maximize signal integrity and deliver exceptional sonic performance.
Important: Due to its extensive conductor count and advanced multi-core construction, the True Silver Series XLR cable is relatively large and heavy. Please inform us if your equipment has limited XLR connector clearance or space constraints.
Audiolund XLR Balance Interconnect Cable ~ True Silver Series
Key Features
- Revised XLR construction engineered to further enhance overall sound quality.
- Uses specially selected, imported European-made 5N OCC silver conductors.
- Each positive and negative signal path incorporates 11 solid-core conductors in multiple gauges: 15GA + 21GA + 21GA + 21GA + 24GA + 26GA + 28GA + 29GA + 29GA + 32GA + 32GA.
- A 1.0-meter pair uses approximately 4m × 11 gauges of 5N OCC silver conductors, totaling 40 individual wires, plus approximately 2m of silver-plated copper wire for grounding.
- Multiple types and layers of shielding materials help reduce noise and RFI/EMI interference.
- A unique damping structure incorporates multiple anti-vibration and damping materials to help suppress and isolate unwanted mechanical vibration.
- Standard length: 1.0m, with additional lengths available.
Conductor Options
1) All OCC Silver Version
11 solid-core conductors: 15 + 21 + 21 + 21 + 24 + 26 + 28 + 29 + 29 + 32 + 32GA, all using 5N OCC silver.
2) Duelund Silver Foil Version
Duelund Silver Foil V1 combined with 10 solid-core 5N OCC silver conductors: 21 + 21 + 21 + 24 + 26 + 28 + 29 + 29 + 32 + 32GA.
The Duelund Silver Foil version replaces the 15GA 5N OCC silver conductor with Duelund Silver Foil V1, while retaining the remaining OCC silver conductors.
Sonic Characteristics
Based on critical listening, adding Duelund Silver Foil V1 provides a subtly more pronounced midrange, with slightly greater vocal focus and warmth.
The All OCC Silver version, by comparison, offers a subtly wider and deeper soundstage, with a slightly more organic presentation and marginally greater detail.
These differences are subtle rather than dramatic. Both versions deliver excellent midrange performance and soundstage reproduction.
For this reason, both are classified within the True Silver Series. They share the characteristic qualities we associate with high-quality pure-silver designs: an organic, fast, detailed, and dynamic presentation.
The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference:
- Duelund Silver Foil Version: slightly warmer and more focused midrange
- All OCC Silver Version: slightly wider and deeper soundstage with greater openness and detail
XLR Connector Selection
Connector plating can also subtly influence the final presentation of a system.
- Gold-plated XLR: slightly warmer tonal character
- Rhodium-plated XLR: greater emphasis on smooth, silky high frequencies
- Pure Silver XLR: increased openness, air, and perceived detail
Connector selection is ultimately a matter of personal preference and system matching. The ideal choice can vary depending on the characteristics of the source, DAC, preamplifier, amplifier, and overall system.
These observations are based on critical listening using well-balanced audio systems. While differences between connectors can be audible, in our experience they are less significant than the differences between cable conductor designs and Audiolund cable series.
True Silver Series Sound Signature
The Audiolund True Silver Series XLR Interconnect represents our interpretation of modern pure-silver sound: sweet, warm, powerful, full-bodied, organic, fast, and highly dynamic.
Each cable is handcrafted using multiple gauges of imported 5N OCC silver conductors and carefully selected audiophile-grade XLR connectors.
The design uses 11 solid-core conductors ranging from 15GA to 32GA per signal path, with an estimated conductor cross-sectional area of approximately 3.61mm² per +/- channel.
Listening and Testing Note:
We do not rely solely on precision laboratory measurements to evaluate cable performance. The True Silver Series XLR has been extensively evaluated through critical listening across several high-end systems using different DAC, preamplifier, and amplifier combinations, with consistently excellent results. Our design philosophy places particular emphasis on practical system evaluation and critical listening alongside appropriate technical considerations.
Selecting the Right Audiolund Series
For simplified product selection:
- Xtreme Series – For enthusiasts who prefer the classic vintage Duelund/Western Electric sonic character.
- True Silver Series – For listeners seeking the purity, speed, and transparency of modern 5N OCC Silver.
- Xtreme Silver Series – For those who enjoy the Duelund/Western Electric signature with additional silver-derived refinement and detail.
- Ultimate Silver Series – For listeners who favor silver performance while retaining elements of the classic Duelund character.
- Flagship Series – For those seeking an equal balance of both sonic signatures.
Our Listening Perspective
The Xtreme Series has a stronger classic Western Electric-inspired character, with a balanced, natural, neutral, relaxed, and musical presentation.
The True Silver Series offers a different personality, with a sweeter yet stronger tonal presentation, richer full-bodied texture, and faster, more powerful dynamics characteristic of our modern silver designs.
In simple terms:
- Xtreme Series: classic, vintage-inspired WE sound with exceptional musicality
- True Silver Series: modern silver sound with a full-bodied, organic, and highly dynamic presentation
We consider both approaches equally rewarding. The better choice ultimately depends on your system configuration, listening preferences, and musical taste.
As a general system-matching observation, listeners using tube amplification may appreciate the relaxed musicality of the Xtreme Series, while those using solid-state amplification may prefer the speed, body, and dynamics of the True Silver Series. This is a listening guideline rather than a fixed rule, as every system and listener is different.
Our favorite quality of the Xtreme Series is its musicality, while the True Silver Series stands out for its full-bodied, organic, and dynamic presentation.
This complementary character inspired the development of our hybrid designs, including the Xtreme Silver Series and Ultimate Silver Series, combining selected qualities from both conductor philosophies.
1) Default: White Stripe + Transparent Stripe on White Background
- Better wear resistance
- Recommended and default option
2) Silver Foil + Transparent Stripe on White Background
- Distinctive silver appearance
- Silver foil has lower wear resistance and should be handled with additional care
XLR Plugs Orientations
Audiolund cables use substantial multi-conductor construction and are therefore relatively thick and firm. Although the cables can be bent into position, twisting the cable can be more difficult when the XLR connector orientation does not match the equipment layout.
We therefore recommend confirming the required XLR plug orientation before the cable is built.
The standard XLR orientation is suitable for most installations. However, the ideal orientation may vary depending on your equipment arrangement, for example:
- Top to bottom
- Left to right
- Right to left
For custom orientation, please provide a clear photograph of the rear of your equipment showing the XLR connectors and their orientation. This will allow us to determine the most suitable cable and connector alignment for your system.
Cable Run-In
Audiolund cables primarily use multi-core constructions with carefully selected combinations of conductors. As a result, they generally require an extended run-in period to reach their intended performance.
The thicker solid-core OCC silver conductors used in the True Silver Series typically require a longer run-in period than the parallel, fine-stranded Duelund tinned-copper conductors used in other Audiolund designs.
As a general guideline, we recommend approximately 100 to 200 hours of run-in.
1 review for 44. True Silver Series ~ XLR Balance Interconnect Cable (OCC Silver)