There is nothing new about the use of precious metals in a premium audio cable. The key is to combine precious metals in appropriate ratios as determined though listening—a long, iterative process elaborated by the need for conductors of varying gauges for each application.  Performance of conductors is further improved by controlling thermo processes during manufacture.

Selecting the optimal gauge can get complicated.  For example, we found particularly for a power cord that “size matters.”  Thus for this application we use the largest gauge conductors that a connector’s physical termination can support.  Such massive termination requires a special process, and as we use precious metals on both the hot and neutral sides of the ground, the materials costs are greater—as are the rewards.  With the Armonico Power Cord, you may find (as we did) that you prefer direct wall power to conditioned power.

Insulating materials were examined both for dielectric properties and for control of mechanical resonance (microphonics.)  The best approach is a Teflon and air dielectric with large isolating tubing.  The African hardwood block selected for each Armonico cable provides the best resonance control of several evaluated materials.  The amount of wood varies for each cable application to address a different resonant signature.

For Armonico speaker cables we determined that separation of opposite phase conductors into discrete resonance-controlled jackets is superior to a shared geometry or networked termination.  Once again, the cost of materials is greater, as are the rewards.

For Armonico ICs and digital cables, we arrived at a twist geometry that must be formed by hand. The cost is greater, as are the rewards.

As a last step in R & D we considered aesthetics.  In this regard we will admit that the good looks of the cables and the gentle curves of the in-line hardwood block serve no purpose beyond an appeal to the senses.  We hope that you enjoy owning these cables as much as we enjoyed making them!