Three of the core models in The Chord Company's interconnect cable range – Crimson, Cobra and Chameleon – have been upgraded with enhanced shielding and improved plugs using technology derived from the company's flagship Sarum cables.
All three are fitted with the new VEE 3 RCA plug, using a vibration eliminating enclosure made from ABS and textured for an easy grip when inserting or removing the plug.
The contacts are direct silver- or gold-plated, depending on model, the signal insulation is PTFE, and the plug is designed with an outer collar for 'precise high-pressure contact with RCA sockets', while the cable clamp, combined with the design of each cable, 'minimises the changes to cable impedance that can have a negative effect on sound quality'.
The entry-level Crimson VEE 3 (above), which starts at £49 for a 0.5m pair, now has heavier-guage multistrand oxygen-free copper conductors in a twisted-pair configuration, insulated with low-density polyethylene with cotton-thread spacers, the whole assembly being wrapped in a layer of natural fibre.
New fully-floating 90% braided and 25% overlapped foil shielding improves signal protection, with a soft PVC internal shield for mechanical damping and a hard PVC outer jacket for protection.
A 1m pair of Crimson VEE 3 is £55, a 3m pair £89, with extra metres at £12.
Cobra VEE uses silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors in a similar configuration to Crimson VEE 3, with the same shielding strategies.
It starts at £84 for a 0.5m pair, with a 1m pair at £95 and extra metres at £22.
Chameleon VEE 3 has a new conductor configuration which The Chord Company says 'dramatically improves dynamics, detail and timing'. 26 AWG silver-played multistrand OFC conductors are used in a single signal and twin return semi-floating configuration, said by the company to 'improve definition, timing and detail levels across all frequencies'.
Like the other new cables, Chameleon VEE 3 is available now, starting at £120 for a 0.5m pair. A 1m pair is £135, and each extra metre is £34.
All the cables are also available with XLR and Naim- and Quad-specific DIN terminations, and custom lengths are available to order.
Written by Andrew Everard