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Rocket to the Peak of Sonic Supremacy
Rocket to the peak of sonic supremacy with Rocket 88 speaker cable from AudioQuest, featuring the patented 72-volt Dielectric Bias System. This 'Double-Star Quad' cable doesn't look normal on the outside, and it isn't normal on the inside, either. AudioQuest Rocket 88 offers amazingly clean and effortless performance, thanks to a combination of extraordinary materials and extremely refined design.
"Natural, Lifelike, as Well as 'Live'-Like"
"I mentioned the perfect timbre above for the [AudioQuest] GO-4 but the Rocket 88 manages to put some extra on top: this cable sounds even more natural, lifelike, as well as 'live'-like, by which I mean the feeling of listening to live musicians," reports Christiaan Punter, hifi-advice.com, October 31, 2015.
"Also, the 88 has bass to die for. Regular readers know that I like solid bass, Levinson, and Wadia style, and it was this aspect of the 88 really made me fall for it. It’s deep, solid, and powerful while remaining nimble and articulate. The midrange was even more tangible, most noticeable with piano…"
"Music Had a More Emotional Connection "
"The Rocket 88 hinted at that disappearing act where a great system can divorce the speaker location from the music. Maybe the [AudioQuest] Yukon cable had a hint more rock to the music than the Rocket 88, but it was close," observes Graig Neville, pt.audio, April 23, 2021.
"Music had a more emotional connection, the bass was deep and effortless. Several times I just stopped critically listening and was drawn into the music."
Dielectric Bias System (DBS)
Greatly improved performance is made possible by a constant 72 volt charge on all Rocket 88's insulation. Similar to how the earth's magnetic field makes all compasses point north, the AQ DBS system creates an electrostatic field which causes the molecules of the insulation to all point in the same direction. This minimizes the multiple nonlinear time-delays. Sound appears from a surprisingly black background with unexpected detail and dynamic contrast.
Because DBS battery packs are attached when Rocket 88 cables are assembled, Rocket 88 does not require any additional run-in period. Because there is no "load" on the easily replaceable batteries, they will last for years. A test button and LED allow for occasional verification of battery performance.
Solid Conductors
All eight of Rocket 88's conductors are solid. Solid conductors prevent strand interaction, a major source of cable distortion. Electrical and magnetic interaction between strands in a conventional cable is the single greatest source of distortion, often causing a somewhat harsh, dirty and confused sound.
Solid conductors are the most important ingredients enabling Rocket 88's very clear sound. Whether a conductor is solid or stranded, skin effect is a prime distortion mechanism in speaker cables. Rocket 88 very simply keeps this effect out of the audio range by using conductor sizes that are below the threshold for audible distortion.
Extreme High-Purity Perfect-Surface Copper
Extreme high-purity Perfect-Surface Copper (PSC) minimizes distortion caused by grain boundaries that exist within any metal conductor, eliminating harshness and greatly increasing clarity compared to all other conducting materials. PSS has an astonishingly smooth and pure surface.
Proprietary metal processing technology protects the wire's surface at every stage of drawing and fabrication. When high-purity low-oxide copper is kept as soft, pure and smooth as possible, it becomes the wonderfully low distortion PSC conductor used in many AudioQuest models. PSC's extreme transparency is made possible by applying Perfect Surface Technology to ultra pure solid copper. PSC is the ultimate example of how far this remarkable technology can take us.
"Greater Fullness and Authority"
"I hear a deeper soundstage… The sound does seem smoother and there is an increase in clarity. They remain smooth at higher volumes," notes TGT, audioasylum.com, April 23, 2021.
"In addition, I notice a greater sense of ambient information surrounding the instruments deep in the soundstage. Sudden transients are quicker and have more snap. Lastly, there is greater fullness and authority in the low end."
Spread Spectrum Technology (SST)
Any single size or shape of conductor has a characteristic distortion profile. Even though radially symmetrical conductors (solid round or tubular) have the fewest discontinuities, each size still has a sonic signature. Rocket 88 uses a precise combination of four different size conductors in order to significantly reduce the audibility of these character flaws.
Double Star-Quad Geometry
The relationship between conductors defines a cable's most basic electrical values (capacitance and inductance). However, even when those variables are kept in a reasonable balance, the relationship between conductors can be varied in ways that greatly affect the sound. The Double Star-Quad construction of Rocket 88 allows for significantly better dynamic contrast and information intelligibility than if the same conductors were run in parallel.
The specific 4-cross geometry used in each half of Rocket 88 maximizes this advantage. In addition, Rocket 88 is an exceptional Single-BiWire cable. When the halves are separated at the speaker end, the Double StarQuad design turns Rocket 88 into a true Double-BiWire set thanks to the magnetic autonomy of each star-quad. When separated the Dual Star-Quads let Rocket 88 be a maximum performance Double-BiWire in a single cable.
Cold-Weld Terminations
Superior AudioQuest connectors allow Rocket 88 to be securely attached to any type of equipment. AQ ends are dull looking because there is no harsh sounding shiny nickel layer underneath the silver (or gold). The connection between the plug and conductors is made using AQ's Cold-Weld system which provides a superior connection that ensures that the structural integrity of the conductor is kept completely intact.
(Rocket 88's copper conductors get copper paste.) A controlled amount of pressure is used to essentially make the conductor and connector mechanically "as one" without the use of heat. The copper bearing paste acts as both a copper oxide retardant, and as well as a very effective contact enhancer. AQ's Cold-Weld system ensures a practically perfect connection.
"The Improvement is Noticeable and Significant"
"Although the overall improvement is subtle, it is definitely noticeable and significant," reports the admin at conradjohnsonowners.com, November 13, 2022.
"No major alterations in the overall sound but it is like a thin veil has been lifted from the speakers. Sound is clearer, more dynamic, and overall presents a better soundstage. The low end seems to be a little more punchy without being overblown. Needless to say I am very happy with the results."
