Aural Thrills Audio Air XLR NO RESERVE

Air  XLR

Air  XLR

After much research and
testing I have created a TRUE
BALANCED CABLE.  A balanced
cable is a superior design because of the extra effort put into shielding the
signal carrying wires from outside interference. This is what the third pin is intended
to be used for. Most of the XLR cables advertised on Audiogon claim to use three
wires for this cable but have no shield. The advantages of a balanced design
are lost. Yes, they will work without a shield, but many personal listening
tests have revealed that the shielded version is much better. The air born
pollution has been eradicated resulting in more bass, extended treble, and a
much blacker background. It is not even close!

It
utilizes a solid Kynar base. Some
say that Kynar is like no dielectric at all. It then has  twin, uninsulated
99.99% pure SILVER wire wrapped around it in a helix form forming a true double Helix. In order to hold the wires in place, a Kynar
heat shrink is installed. This creates a cable which is remarkably transparent
and detailed. With this geometry, the wires never come close to touching each
other. The result is an openness and huge soundstage, apparent in
only the finest of cables. These signal carrying lines are then shielded
utilizing the third pin ground. Next, a nylon braid is slipped over the entire assembly.
Finally, Neutrik SILVER XLR connectors are installed resulting in the best cable
available anywhere!

• 
  

  Connectors are Sealed From Outside
  Contaminants

  
  


• 
  

  Neutrik
  SILVER connectors

  
  


• 
  

  ONE Meter Long

  
  


• 
  

  Wonder
  Solder for more transparency

  
  


• 
  

  Kynar Dielectrics Used
  Throughout

  
  


• 
  

  
  99.99% Pure Solid 30awg wire

  
  


• 
  

  Double Helix Configuration
  

  
  


• 
  

  Wire and Connectors are Chemically
  Treated

  
  


• 
  

  All Wire is Hand Polished to remove
  tarnish and smooth surface

  
  


• 
  

  True Balanced Design with an attached
  shield

  
  

 

What Makes Aural Thrills Different?

The unique feature of Aural Thrills Audio is the fact that
ALL EQUIPMENT (except
sending components) in my reference audio system has been developed by me!
From the phono stage, pre amp, mono blocks and cables, to the final sound
of the speakers. Each product has been developed and tested by one person.
This gives me a unique understanding of the reproduction of sound. With
four years of college ear training, ten years as a professional musician
in NYC, and unmatched passion, I feel that I have the tools necessary to
create the finest reproduction equipment in the world. I have spent the
last ten years learning the intricacies of tube amplifiers. Every part.
Every wire. Every component. They all matter. Connecting all of this
equipment with compatible cables has become a daily obsession. As one of
my customers said, "I live audio."

In these days of endless loops of frustration, you can
count on getting a real person when you deal with Aural Thrills. No press
1, press 5, etc. You get a real person from the beginning. Someone who can
answer all of your questions. Emails are answered many times a day. Leave
your number and I will call back, really! With a 60 day, no questions
asked policy on all of my cables, you can be sure that your purchase will
work with your total system sound.

Lastly, it is my commitment to make sure that every product
is made to my standards. Every product guaranteed to bring a smile to your
face. Every order processed with the passion that only hand made goods can
deliver. I put my reputation on the line with every product I make. I try
my best to do all that is needed. I also try my best to keep prices
reasonable.  Please consider that you are buying more than a
constructed product. You are buying my mind, my craftsmanship and my ears
which have worked on each component obsessively for countless hours.

Cable Design Theory

Aural Thrills Audio only sells
very special cables! Designed to provide your system with the ultimate
sound. They will not degrade the signal as many other cables tend to do.
Why? Our cables have been specially designed to provide a clear, deep
sound by utilizing solid core technology. Stranded wire has many points
where the wires touch each other. This creates a smearing effect as the
signal jumps from one wire to the other. The larger the wire, the more
this effect becomes evident. Research also shows that stranded cables
creates time distortions due to the uneven manner in which the signal
travels.

Next we must look at the wire size. I am
always amazed by the "oh wow" reaction of audiophiles upon seeing a very
fat cable. In true American fashion, the belief that if a little is good,
more is always better comes to mind. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE
TRUTH! The major portion of an audio signal actually travels as a wave on
top of the wire, much like a train travels on top of the tracks. A very
small part of this wave travels inside the wire. Since the wire actually
slows the signal down a time distortion is created between the signal on
top of the wire and the part of the signal in the wire. The best way to
minimize this effect is to use a small diameter wire so that very little
signal is traveling through the wire itself.

The third item in cable construction to
consider is the material surrounding the wire. Some companies use many
layers of coverings to convey the image of huge size. Again, this is not a
good thing. These layers act as huge capacitors for the signal. Capacitors
store and then release their energy. The result is a smearing and time
warp creating a cloudy sound. The cleanest sound is achieved by using
Teflon. Teflon will not absorb any of the signal. This means the total
signal arrives at the same time. None is released later causing
distortions.

To shield or not to shield? In most cases
adding a shield to a cable takes away a little bit of the spaciousness
from the sound stage. Unshielded cables are great for Solid State
equipment using lengths of under nine feet. They deliver a spaciousness
and clarity of sound that most people find very appealing. When using Tube
equipment or cables over ten feet shielding is needed. The transformers of
tube amplifiers are gigantic EMI producing machines. Using an unshielded
cable with tube equipment will result in an induced hum. Always use a
shielded cable with tube equipment. Cable runs of over ten feet tend to
act as huge antennas picking up local radio stations. (RFI) To avoid this
you MUST use a shielded cable. Lastly, phono cables must be shielded.
Cartridges produce very small amounts of voltage. some moving coil
cartridges produce only .2mv. This low voltage is very fragile and must be
protected from your local radio stations which will overpower this
miniscule signal.

Cable Break In

All cables take a certain amount of time to burn in.
This may sound crazy but it is true. I have heard many theories for this,
but the one I tend to go with is the alignment of atoms within the wire.
It changes as the wire is subjected to electrical charges and ends up
aligning in the direction of electron flow. Most cable will sound good for
the first hour or so. Then they start to degrade. They become bright,
edgy, distorted, and closed in. The worst sound is at about 50 hours of
play. Slowly the sound will began to improve and at about 100 hours things
will start to really improve. The one exception to this scenario is Silver
wire which breaks in much more slowly. We do offer a burn in service using
the Hagerman professional model. It takes 48 hours to complete the
process. The cable is subjected to a frequency sweep which contains
signals above and below the frequencies of Human hearing. Although
additional break in is still required, this really speeds things up. 

Amplifier Design Theory

I am committed to simple
designs which do not feature a lot of additional circuits. I love the
early designs. They tended to stick to the basics and did not add a bunch
of "correction" circuits. I have constructed and listened to most types of
tube audio designs. The more circuits that you add, the more they start to
sound like solid state. If that is what you want, why not just buy a Solid
State unit? My amps use the old designs but with an important twist, high
end parts. Modern capacitors and resistors are faster sounding, but still
retain the tube qualities we all love. The best of old and new. I usually
prefer tube rectification (changes AC to DC) but occasionally solid state
rectification is better. When developing these amps I always make each
version and listen. All Electrolytic Capacitors are by passed with film
capacitors to add extension.

I want to talk about amplifier
test numbers.  I am aware that this is a delicate subject which can
sometimes lead to hostilities. I must tell you that I am not the
engineering type. I design and build my amps much like I played my
Trumpet. I was taught music theory and after teaching my ear to recognize
what the theory sounded like, I never thought of theory again. I have done
the same in amplifier design. I know what each circuit sounds like. 
I have built and listened to them using the electrical theory that I have
learned. After hearing what each theory sounds like, I no longer want to
talk theory. I only want to talk sound. 

Watt Wars

The early amplifiers were somewhat low in power. Only a
few watts. Many different types of tubes were used and each had its own
charms and weaknesses. Soon, amplifier makers found that customers were
power hungry. The war was on and nothing will ever stop it. If some is
good, more must be better. It is American as Apple Pie. In the quest for
more power I feel that certain intangibles were lost. The simple beauty
and clarity of a few watts were slowly, a watt at a time, changed to brut
force power. Even non audiophiles could hear the difference. I think they
got it right the first time.

Warranty

Due to the length of break in I offer a 60 day return
policy on all cables, no questions asked. Just pay for shipping. I can offer this
warranty because I am so sure you will not want to part with this cable.
All cables carry an unconditional lifetime warranty to the original
purchaser. Just return to Aural Thrills Audio and we will take care of any
problems. Cables that have been abused or mistreated will be repaired for
a slight cost to be determined upon inspection. All amplifiers carry a 1
year warranty.

My Laboratory

This is my pride and joy, no, my
obsession. As you can see, all components (except sending units) have been
constructed by me. This gives me a unique perspective on sound
reproduction. I am an avid record collector of 50's Jazz as well. I have a
good collection of the regular labels, Blue Note, Verve, Pacific Jazz,
etc. and also a bunch of not so well known labels and artist. You would
not believe how good some of these 50's recordings sound. Most were recorded with tubes so they just seem to sound right in my all tube system.
My system generally looks terrible. I am always trying new combinations of
circuits and design ideas. It's all about sound.

As you probably noticed, I
watch movies with this system as well. I really believe that the sound is
superior to five channel home theater systems. The soundstage is more
real, not manipulated and much closer to reality. A good Stereo VCR is
close to a record for sound quality. Rich, warm, just awesome Analogue. I
hate to admit it but I have become a fan of the musical.

The mono blocks are Aural
Thrills Audio 300B, push pull units. Each puts out a big 25 Watts but
still retains the beauty of the 300B. As you might expect, the filaments
are AC powered. PP configuration cancels out noise and the sound is big
and rich. These amps sound like the reason you wanted a tube amp to begin
with.

The speakers are a very
efficient 96db. Max continuous power is 45 Watts. 25 Watts will blow you
out of the room. My love of early design, low powered tube amps led me to
these back end loaded horn design. The drivers are full range which
eliminates the need for a crossover. My theory for audio is always "less
is better."

                    

The bass that comes out of
these speakers is unbelievable. The transmission line design is tuned for
50Hz. The sound coming out of the lower outlet is also delayed a little
bit. This creates a wonderful ambience for Jazz and Classical. These
cabinets have been constructed of 1" Baltic Birch Plywood. A very dense,
slow growing species imported from Russia. Unlike normal plywood, any
voids in EACH layer are cut and filled with a plug. You can see that there
are no areas without wood, on each layer! The speakers weigh about 175
pounds each. As is the case with a single driver, imaging is spooky. Final
finish will be done soon

A VPI TNT with speed controller
mounted on a Lead filled VPI stand is the basis for all of this great
sound. A Graham tone arm is used. I love this arm. It is very easy to
mount a cartridge and alignment is accomplished to an amazing accuracy. I
usually use Low Output MC cartridges. Mounted now is a Benz Gold. A very
nice cartridge for the money. The table is connected to an Aural Thrills
Phono Stage by an all Silver Aural Thrills tone arm cable with five pin
Cardas connector. Next the Phono stage is connected to a Two Stage Cathode
Follower pre amp of my design by a pair of Aural Thrills Bass Boss cables.
Output to the 300B mono Blocks is handled by an Aural Thrills, Tube
Powered Active cable. All amps are connected directly to a dedicated line
by Aural Thrills 10awg Power Cords.

Complete Systems

I have found that buying and hooking up expensive equipment
without further tonal development results in an inferior sound stage.
Components which are compatible are as important as the greatness of each
component by it's self. All systems can be tuned by the proper use of
cables, acoustic treatments, and the sonic signature of the room itself.
It can take many years to get a system "dialed in" when done on a part
time basis. It is for this reason that I now offer complete systems with
installation, including all or any part of the system shown above!

All the cables and amps are already maximized for the best
sound possible. All of the components match sonically, and are of handmade
quality. If you appreciate Vinyl and Tubes, gigantic sound stages, the
illusion of reality, and a sound that anyone can hear is special, then
this is the system for you. I will personally construct, deliver, and set
up a complete system in the room of your choice. If you want the sound but
don't have the time, this is the way to go. Complete systems start at
$35,000.00

 

     
Tom

                                                                                                                

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