Analysis Plus Chocolate Oval Interconnect Cable - 1.0 Meter - XLR to XLR - Pair

Chocolate Oval Is the In-Wall Rated Analysis Plus Interconnect

Analysis Plus's Chocolate Oval is the company's premium in-wall rated cable. It carries UL and CSA FT4 ratings, so it can run inside a wall or a ceiling. It is also the first in-wall cable Analysis Plus built as a balanced design, and here it ends in Abbatron XLR plugs.

Other length & termination options are available. Call us to discuss your needs.

A Balanced Layout Inside an In-Wall Jacket

Chocolate Oval uses Analysis Plus's hollow oval conductor geometry. The oval keeps the outgoing and return paths close, and the hollow center drops metal that carries little current. Because the cable is a balanced design, Analysis Plus says it rejects common-mode noise better, for an ultra low noise floor. With XLR plugs at both ends, the whole path is balanced.

The Abbatron XLR Plug, Explained

Chocolate Oval ends in an XLR plug from Abbatron of Meadville, Pennsylvania. The female plug gets beryllium copper sockets. The male gets tellurium copper pins. Abbatron says the pair conducts about three times as well, for a cleaner and fuller sound. A chuck-style strain relief grips the cable where it enters the shell. The plug latches into the jack.

Who Is This Interconnect Best For?

• You are running cable inside a wall — Chocolate Oval is UL and CSA FT4 rated, so it meets the code an installer will ask about
• Your run is long — the balanced layout rejects common-mode noise, so a long path through a house stays quiet
• You want a plug that locks — the Abbatron XLR latches into the jack, so the connection stays put and the copper pins stay seated
• You want a home theater cable with hi-fi roots — it uses the same hollow oval geometry as Analysis Plus's listening cables
• Your components have only RCA jacks — the Chocolate Oval XLR will not fit an RCA jack. Choose the Analysis Plus Chocolate Oval RCA instead, or call us and we will match the connector

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run Chocolate Oval from a balanced XLR output on your DAC, streamer, CD player or phono stage. It goes to a balanced XLR input on your preamp or amplifier. Line up the three pins and push until the latch clicks. To remove it, press the latch and pull by the plug, never by the cable.

Then listen.

Measure the Path, Then Add a Little Slack

Measure the route the cable will really take between your components, around shelves and behind the rack. Then add a little slack. As audio legend George Cardas puts it, "A cable that's just long enough usually turns out to be just not long enough." Keep the left and right cables the same length. We recommend a matched pair.

XLR on Both Ends, or Not at All

Balanced XLR works when both components have XLR jacks, and we recommend using XLRs whenever they do. If one component has only RCA jacks, use an RCA cable instead of an adapter. You only get the possible benefits of a balanced output with a pure XLR-to-XLR connection.

A Long Run Between Components?

If your amplifier and speakers sit far from your source, we recommend a long interconnect over a long speaker cable. A really long interconnect affects system performance less than a really long speaker cable.

When Is It Time to Upgrade?

An interconnect often stays in a system for years, so it is easy to overlook. Look again when something else changes: a new DAC, streamer or phono stage, a better amplifier, or a move to components with balanced XLR jacks.

Pairs Well With

An interconnect is one link in the chain. It usually joins these categories.

• Integrated Amplifiers — the usual input end
• Digital-to-Analog Converters — DAC output to amplifier
• Music Streamers — streamer output to amplifier
• Speaker Cables — the last link to the speakers

Frequently Asked Questions

What XLR plug does Chocolate Oval use?

An Abbatron XLR, made in Meadville, Pennsylvania. It has beryllium copper sockets and tellurium copper pins, which Abbatron says conduct about three times as well. Analysis Plus does not say which contact finish it fits.

What does in-wall rated mean?

Chocolate Oval carries UL and CSA FT4 ratings. Those are flame ratings for cable run inside walls and ceilings. Most hi-fi cables do not carry them.

What warranty does Analysis Plus give?

One year against mechanical defects, from the date of purchase, on cables sold as new. Keep your proof of purchase. The warranty is not transferable and does not cover cables that have been altered or misused.

Is there a step up?

Analysis Plus Copper Oval XLR is the next rung. It moves to three 18 gauge oxygen-free copper conductors in FEP insulation, in a slimmer jacket, with the same Abbatron XLR plugs.

Need a Different Length or Connector?

The most popular configurations are shown on this page. If your system requires a different length or termination, call our audio experts. We’ll help you choose the right configuration and arrange a custom cable for your system.

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Learn More

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