55. Ultimate Silver Series ~ RCA Interconnect Cable (OCC Silver + Duelund Copper)

Important: Due to its extensive conductor count and advanced multi-core construction, the Ultimate Silver Series RCA cable is relatively large and heavy. Please inform us if your equipment has limited RCA connector clearance or space constraints.

• Revised construction: The RCA cable architecture has been further refined to enhance overall sound quality and performance.
• Multi-gauge conductor design: Each positive and negative signal path uses nine solid-core 5N OCC silver conductors in multiple gauges: 15GA + 18GA + 24GA + 26GA + 28GA + 29GA + 29GA + 32GA + 32GA, combined with one 16GA Duelund tinned copper conductor.
• Generous conductor content: A 1.0-meter stereo pair uses a total of approximately 4m × 9 solid-core 5N OCC silver conductors from 15GA to 32GA, together with 4m × 16GA Duelund tinned copper conductors.
• Multi-layer shielding: Multiple types and layers of shielding materials are incorporated to minimize noise and reduce RFI/EMI interference.
• Advanced damping: A dedicated damping structure incorporates multiple anti-vibration and isolation materials to help suppress unwanted mechanical vibration.
• Standard length: 1.0 meter, with additional length options available.

Based on critical listening, the differences between the two versions are subtle.

The Duelund Silver Foil version tends to present the midrange slightly more prominently, with greater focus and a subtly warmer, more engaging vocal presentation.

The All OCC Silver version tends to offer a slightly wider and deeper soundstage, together with a more organic presentation and marginally greater perceived detail.

These differences are relatively minor. Both versions provide excellent midrange performance, soundstage, resolution, and overall musicality.

Both are classified within the same Ultimate Silver Series, combining pure silver conductors, whether OCC silver or Duelund Silver Foil, with Duelund tinned copper. They therefore share a similar fundamental sonic character, blending the qualities of modern pure silver conductors with the musical characteristics associated with the classic Western Electric-style sound.

The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference:

• Duelund Silver Foil: Slightly warmer and more focused midrange presentation
• All OCC Silver: Slightly wider and deeper soundstage with greater perceived openness and detail

Connector selection provides another opportunity to fine-tune the cable to complement a particular audio system.

• Gold-plated RCA plugs: Tend to provide a slightly warmer presentation.
• Rhodium-plated RCA plugs: Tend to emphasize clarity and extension in the upper frequencies.
• Pure Silver RCA plugs: Offer greater perceived openness, air, and fine detail, potentially taking the overall performance to a higher level.

Connector selection is ultimately a matter of personal preference and system matching. Different connectors can complement different system configurations and listening preferences.

These observations are based on critical listening using a well-balanced reference system. While the differences are audible, they are generally less significant than the differences between the various Audiolund cable series and conductor combinations.

Xtreme Silver Series

• Uses the Xtreme Duelund Series as its primary conductor foundation, supplemented with OCC silver conductors to create Audiolund’s distinctive: Duelund + Silver sonic character.

Ultimate Silver Series

• Uses the True Silver Series as its primary conductor foundation, supplemented with Duelund conductors to create Audiolund’s distinctive: Silver + Duelund sonic character.

The Ultimate Silver Series combines key characteristics of both the Xtreme Series and True Silver Series, delivering a highly comprehensive presentation with the musical qualities associated with the Western Electric sound.

Similar to the Xtreme Silver Series, it offers a natural, smooth, quiet, and highly musical presentation, while also incorporating the sweetness, delicacy, power, speed, and dynamic qualities associated with the True Silver Series.

Conductor Cross-Sectional Area

For the Ultimate Silver Series RCA Interconnect, the estimated conductor cross-sectional area per meter for each positive/negative channel is:

• 5N OCC Silver: 3.13 mm²
• Duelund Tinned Copper: 1.31 mm²

A simple guide to selecting among Audiolund’s five higher-level cable series:

1. Xtreme Series
   For listeners who prefer the classic, vintage-inspired Duelund / Western Electric sonic character.
2. True Silver Series
   For listeners who prefer the clarity, dynamics, richness, and character of modern 5N pure silver conductors.
3. Xtreme Silver Series
   For listeners who favor the Duelund / Western Electric character, but would also like to introduce the speed, openness, and resolution of pure silver.
4. Ultimate Silver Series
   For listeners who favor 5N pure silver, but would also like to incorporate the musicality and vintage-inspired character of Duelund tinned copper.
5. Flagship Series
   For listeners seeking an equal emphasis on both Duelund / Western Electric musicality and modern pure silver characteristics.

Both the Xtreme Silver Series and Ultimate Silver Series are designed to combine the musical character associated with vintage Western Electric-style conductors with the qualities of modern pure silver.

The distinction lies primarily in their emphasis:

Xtreme Silver = Duelund first, Silver second

Ultimate Silver = Silver first, Duelund second

Although their individual characteristics remain perceptible, both series successfully integrate the qualities of Duelund tinned copper and pure silver, making them versatile choices for a wide range of high-end audio systems.

If you enjoy both Western Electric-style musicality and modern pure silver characteristics, either the Xtreme Silver Series or Ultimate Silver Series is an excellent choice.

The Ultimate Silver Series places greater emphasis on modern pure silver characteristics. The addition of Duelund tinned copper brings additional musicality, resulting in a smoother, more relaxed, and refined presentation.

The Xtreme Series has a stronger vintage Western Electric-style character, with an emphasis on balance, naturalness, neutrality, and musicality.

The True Silver Series offers the sweetness, delicacy, power, speed, and dynamic performance associated with modern silver conductors, together with a stronger tonal presence and rich, full-bodied texture.

In simple terms:

• Xtreme Series: Classic, relaxed, natural, and musical vintage-style presentation
• True Silver Series: Modern, dynamic, detailed, rich, and full-bodied silver presentation
• Xtreme Silver Series: Primarily Duelund/WE character enhanced with pure silver
• Ultimate Silver Series: Primarily pure silver character enhanced with Duelund musicality

Neither presentation is inherently superior. The ideal choice depends on personal listening preference and system synergy.

As a general system-matching consideration, listeners using tube amplification may appreciate the character of the Xtreme Series, while solid-state systems may pair particularly well with the Silver Series. However, final selection should always be based on the individual system and listener preference.

The musicality of the Xtreme Series and the full-bodied, organic character of the True Silver Series inspired the development of the Xtreme Silver and Ultimate Silver Series, bringing together the strengths of both conductor philosophies.

Audiolund cables primarily use multi-core architectures incorporating multiple conductor types, gauges, and combinations. As a result, sufficient run-in time is recommended for the cables to reach their intended performance characteristics.

OCC silver conductors use relatively thick solid-core wires and may require a longer run-in period than Duelund tinned copper conductors, which use multiple parallel strands of finer wire.

Recommended Run-In Time

General Audiolund cables: approximately 100–200 hours

Ultimate Silver Series: approximately 200–400 hours

The Ultimate Silver Series uses a particularly complex combination of multiple solid-core silver conductors and Duelund tinned copper, so a longer run-in period is recommended before making final listening evaluations.