{"product_id":"audioquest-big-sur-interconnect-cable-2-0-meter-3-5mm-to-rca","title":"AudioQuest Big Sur Interconnect Cable - 2.0 Meter - 3.5mm to RCA","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat You Need to Know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Is This Cable and What Does It Do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cable lets you connect a source with a 3.5mm headphone-style output — a smartphone, laptop, DAP, or sound card — to an amplifier, receiver, or powered speakers that use RCA inputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3.5mm (1\/8\") mini-plug is the small stereo connector found on phones, computers, and most portable players. The other end of this cable splits into a stereo pair of RCA plugs — the small red and white connectors that go into \"AUX\" or \"Line In\" jacks on a typical stereo component.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur sits high in the Bridges \u0026amp; Falls line. It's a serious step up from Golden Gate, with higher-grade conductor metal and a more refined dielectric. It's built for systems that can hear what a better cable does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich AudioQuest Family Is This From?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur belongs to AudioQuest's Bridges \u0026amp; Falls series. Cables in this family share a common design approach — solid copper conductors, low-loss insulation — but the metal grade and build quality step up as the line moves up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bridges \u0026amp; Falls ladder runs Tower → Chicago → Evergreen → Red River → Golden Gate → Mackenzie → Big Sur → Yukon, and onward to Sydney at the top. Big Sur is the higher end of the working tier, just below Yukon and the top-line Sydney.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Different About This One?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur's headline change is a step up in conductor metal, to \u003cstrong\u003esolid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+)\u003c\/strong\u003e. PSC+ is a higher-purity grade than the PSC used in Golden Gate, with the same unusually smooth surface treatment but tighter material-purity targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Solid\" still means a single core per conductor, not a bundle of small strands. AudioQuest's view is that strand-to-strand contact in a stranded cable can introduce small distortions, and a solid core avoids that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insulation around the copper is called the \u003cstrong\u003edielectric\u003c\/strong\u003e. Big Sur uses a polyethylene air-tube design, where the conductor is suspended inside a tube of polyethylene so that air — the lowest-loss dielectric available short of vacuum — surrounds most of the conductor. That helps a small analog signal arrive in better shape than ordinary plastic insulation does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur also steps up to \u003cstrong\u003eAsymmetrical Double-Balanced geometry\u003c\/strong\u003e. In plain language: the conductor that carries the signal and the conductor that carries the return are sized differently because they do different jobs, and the cable's shield is grounded only at the source end so it doesn't carry signal current.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shield itself uses AudioQuest's \u003cstrong\u003eCarbon-Based Noise-Dissipation System (NDS)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a carbon-loaded layer that absorbs radio-frequency interference (RFI) picked up by the shield instead of letting it return into the audio circuit's ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conductors are \u003cstrong\u003edirection-controlled\u003c\/strong\u003e. The arrow on the cable points from your source toward your destination. AudioQuest has been making analog audio cables since Bill Low founded the company in 1980, and Big Sur is one of the more refined points on that engineering ladder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich Connector Configuration Do I Need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe answer comes from looking at both ends of your connection. The source is usually a portable device or computer with a 3.5mm jack. The destination is whatever you're plugging into.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the destination has RCA inputs (small round red and white jacks), you need this 3.5mm-to-RCA version. If the destination has its own 3.5mm jack, you need the \u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/interconnects-with-mini-plugs\/audioquest-big-sur-interconnect-cable-3-5mm-to-3-5mm\/\"\u003e3.5mm-to-3.5mm version\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere Does This Cable Belong in Your System?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur is the right step up when the rest of the system is genuinely up for it — a serious integrated amp, capable speakers, a quality source. It's not a starter cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood fit:\u003c\/strong\u003e a high-performance DAP into a serious integrated amp's AUX input; a desktop computer-audio rig with a competent USB DAC headphone output into RCA-input powered speakers; a stepped-up portable rig that deserves better-than-Golden-Gate cable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot ideal:\u003c\/strong\u003e entry-level systems where Big Sur would outclass everything else by a wide margin (look at Tower, Evergreen, or Golden Gate); connecting two RCA-to-RCA components (use an RCA-to-RCA cable instead).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifferent connector configuration?\u003c\/strong\u003e See the \u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/interconnects-with-mini-plugs\/audioquest-big-sur-interconnect-cable-3-5mm-to-3-5mm\/\"\u003eBig Sur 3.5mm-to-3.5mm\u003c\/a\u003e version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use the shortest cable that comfortably reaches between the two components. Measure the actual route — not the straight-line distance — and add a little slack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding a high-end portable or desktop-audio setup? Here are some natural companions for Big Sur:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/integrated-amplifiers\"\u003eIntegrated amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e with RCA AUX inputs — the most common destination for this cable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/dacs\"\u003eStandalone DACs\u003c\/a\u003e with 3.5mm outputs — a clear upgrade path on the source side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/powered-speakers\"\u003eHigher-performance powered speakers with RCA inputs\u003c\/a\u003e for serious desktop or computer-audio setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/interconnects-with-mini-plugs\/audioquest-sydney-interconnect-cable-3-5mm-to-rca\/\"\u003eAudioQuest Sydney 3.5mm-to-RCA\u003c\/a\u003e — the top of the Bridges \u0026amp; Falls line, for systems that warrant the next step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"..\/..\/..\/..\/interconnects-with-mini-plugs\/audioquest-golden-gate-interconnect-cable-3-5mm-to-rca\/\"\u003eAudioQuest Golden Gate 3.5mm-to-RCA\u003c\/a\u003e — the step below, if Big Sur is more cable than the system needs right now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures \u0026amp; Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur represents a serious step up the AudioQuest line. Higher-grade conductor metal, more refined dielectric design, and the same careful direction-control as the rest of the family:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors\u003c\/strong\u003e — a step up from PSC, with tighter purity targets and the same smooth-surface treatment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolyethylene air-tube dielectric\u003c\/strong\u003e — the conductor is suspended in a mostly-air dielectric for lower losses than solid plastic insulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAsymmetrical Double-Balanced geometry\u003c\/strong\u003e — signal and return conductors sized for their different jobs, with the shield grounded at the source end only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarbon-Based Noise-Dissipation System (NDS)\u003c\/strong\u003e absorbs RFI picked up by the shield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3.5mm mini-plug on the source end and stereo RCA pair on the destination end\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirection-controlled\u003c\/strong\u003e conductors with an arrow showing the source-to-destination flow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimited lifetime warranty\u003c\/strong\u003e for original owners through Audio Advisor, an authorized AudioQuest dealer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuick-Reference Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 16px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eConductor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSolid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eGeometry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAsymmetrical Double-Balanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDielectric\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003ePolyethylene Air-Tube\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eNoise Dissipation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eCarbon-Based Noise-Dissipation System (NDS)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDBS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eNot included on this 3.5mm variant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eConnectors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e3.5mm mini-plug (source) and stereo RCA pair (destination)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDirection Control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eYes — arrow indicates direction from source to destination\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAvailable Lengths\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eMultiple lengths stocked — see length selector\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eLimited lifetime, original owner, authorized U.S. dealer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-faq gsbp-ab3b28d\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat kind of source can I connect with this cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnything with a 3.5mm headphone-style output: smartphones, laptops, tablets, portable music players (DAPs), older iPods, computer sound cards, and certain DACs. The other end goes into RCA inputs on an amplifier, receiver, preamp, or powered speakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does Big Sur compare to Golden Gate in this same configuration?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conductor metal steps up — Golden Gate uses solid PSC, Big Sur uses solid PSC+. The dielectric also steps up from foamed polyethylene to a polyethylene air-tube. And Big Sur adds two architectural features Golden Gate doesn't have: Asymmetrical Double-Balanced geometry and a Carbon-Based Noise-Dissipation System on the shield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does \"Perfect-Surface Copper+\" actually mean?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a step above PSC — same smooth-surface treatment, but with even tighter copper-purity specifications. AudioQuest's argument is that small improvements in conductor metal compound up the line, and PSC+ is where they are noticeably better than ordinary high-quality copper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does this cable compare to a generic mini-to-RCA cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Sur uses solid PSC+ conductors and a low-loss dielectric, where most generic cables use stranded copper of unspecified purity and standard PVC. You're paying for high-grade materials, careful direction-control, and AudioQuest's lifetime warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill this cable improve the sound of my system?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the rest of your components are revealing enough, yes — that's what a cable at this tier is built for. AudioQuest designs its cables to \"do no harm\" and pass the signal cleanly. Take advantage of the 60-day return window to listen for yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat length should I get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse the shortest cable that comfortably reaches between the two components. Measure the actual route — not the straight-line distance — and add a little slack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the 3.5mm connector stereo?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The 3.5mm plug has three contacts — left audio, right audio, and a common ground — and the cable splits into a left RCA and a right RCA at the other end. Full stereo, not mono.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the warranty?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAudioQuest cables purchased from an authorized U.S. dealer carry a non-transferable, original-owner limited lifetime warranty. Audio Advisor is an authorized AudioQuest dealer, so you're covered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ec-titlebox-text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003e40+ Years of Expertise\u003c\/strong\u003e — Since 1981, we’ve helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it’s right for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003eReal Experts, Real Help\u003c\/strong\u003e — Call us at \u003ca href=\"tel:8009420220\"\u003e800-942-0220\u003c\/a\u003e, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e? \u003cstrong\u003eFlexible Payment Options\u003c\/strong\u003e — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to learn more about analog interconnects? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AudioQuest","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983165612205,"sku":"NEW-AQBS-2-35RC","price":259.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/AQBS_35RC_01_2024__80945.1721660203.1280.1280_67365ff7-c369-4f59-9854-a58eb38439f2.jpg?v=1778096448","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/audioquest-big-sur-interconnect-cable-2-0-meter-3-5mm-to-rca","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}