{"product_id":"audioquest-black-beauty-interconnect-cable-xlr-to-xlr","title":"AudioQuest Black Beauty Interconnect Cable - XLR to XLR","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eBlack Beauty Is Where AudioQuest's Mythical Creatures Begin\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest's Black Beauty opens the Mythical Creatures range, the family that runs up to Dragon. It is a two-cable design with one lead per channel. ZERO-Tech, a carbon and graphene mesh, and Hanging-Silver plugs over Red Copper all arrive here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSolid Perfect-Surface Copper+, Direction-Controlled\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe wires are solid Perfect-Surface Copper+, AudioQuest's highest grade of copper. AudioQuest says the ultra-smooth surface cuts distortion from grain boundaries. Solid wire removes strand interaction. Each wire sits in Foamed-Polyethylene, which is mostly air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe wire is also direction-controlled. AudioQuest says drawn wire has a grain with a direction. It listens to every batch, picks the direction, and marks the jacket with arrows. Point the arrows at the amplifier and noise drains where AudioQuest intends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eZERO-Tech and Level 6 Noise-Dissipation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eZERO-Tech is AudioQuest's name for a cable with no characteristic impedance. AudioQuest says it removes the electric field between the two signal wires. So there is nothing to mismatch with the gear at either end. Radio noise drains evenly from octave to octave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest calls the shield Level 6 Noise-Dissipation. A mesh of carbon and graphene, direction-controlled wire and silver-plated drain wires work together. AudioQuest says this cuts the masking that radio noise lays over fine detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eThe Hanging-Silver Red Copper XLR Plug, Explained\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBlack Beauty ends in what AudioQuest calls its finest plug, in XLR form. It is Hanging-Silver over extreme-purity Red Copper. The parts hang in the plating bath instead of tumbling, for a more even coat. The barrels are copper plated and grounded, so they cannot couple radio noise into the wire. The plug latches into the jack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat Reviewers Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eMark Blackmore reviewed Black Beauty for \u003cem\u003eThe Audio Beat\u003c\/em\u003e on December 5, 2024. The cables \"certainly live up to their name,\" he wrote, with \"the most luxurious look and feel of all the wires sent in for review.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eHe reviewed the RCA version and placed Black Beauty one step above Yukon in AudioQuest's range. AudioQuest lists the same wire, shield and Hanging-Silver plugs for the XLR version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Interconnect Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want AudioQuest's upper-range design\u003c\/strong\u003e — ZERO-Tech and the carbon mesh come from the same family as Dragon, so the ideas are shared\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour home is full of WiFi\u003c\/strong\u003e — AudioQuest built the Level 6 shield for a world of cellular and WiFi, so radio noise drains before it masks detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour left and right jacks sit far apart\u003c\/strong\u003e — Black Beauty is two separate cables, so mono amplifiers and wide racks are no problem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want AudioQuest's finest plug\u003c\/strong\u003e — Hanging-Silver over Red Copper with copper-plated barrels, in an XLR that latches into the jack, so the last inch matches the rest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour components have only RCA jacks\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Black Beauty XLR will not fit an RCA jack. Choose the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/audioquest-black-beauty-interconnect-cable-1-0-meter-rca-to-rca-pair\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eAudioQuest Black Beauty RCA\u003c\/a\u003e instead, or call us and we will match the connector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eRun Black Beauty from a balanced XLR output on your DAC, streamer, CD player or phono stage to a balanced XLR input on your preamp or amplifier. Point the arrows on the jacket toward the amplifier. Line up the pins and push until the latch clicks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThen listen. Other and longer lengths available. Call for prices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAn interconnect is one link in the chain. It usually joins these categories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/integrated-amplifiers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eIntegrated Amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — the usual input end\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/digital-to-analog-converters\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eDigital-to-Analog Converters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — DAC output to amplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/phono-preamplifiers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003ePhono Preamplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — phono stage to line input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/speaker-cables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eSpeaker Cables\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — the last link to the speakers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat is ZERO-Tech?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest's design for a cable with no characteristic impedance. AudioQuest says it removes the electric field between the signal wires. Nothing then mismatches the source or the load, and noise drains evenly across the band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat XLR plug does Black Beauty use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest's Hanging-Silver XLR over a body of extreme-purity Red Copper, with copper-plated barrels. The parts hang in the plating bath rather than tumble, and AudioQuest says the result is a more even silver layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes Black Beauty XLR include a DBS pack?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest fits the Dual-72v pack to the XLR versions of Pegasus, ThunderBird, FireBird and Dragon. Black Beauty is not on that list. It relies on ZERO-Tech and the Level 6 shield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhich way do the arrows point?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eToward the component that receives the signal, normally the amplifier or preamp. AudioQuest sets the direction of the wire and says the arrows let noise drain the right way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat warranty does AudioQuest give?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA limited lifetime warranty to the original owner, for cables bought from an authorized US dealer. AudioQuest will repair or replace a defective cable that has not been abused. Keep your proof of purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eIs there a step up?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eNot in the AudioQuest XLR range we carry. Black Beauty is the top of that ladder. If you want to go further, call us and we will talk through the whole system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about interconnects, solid-core cables, or RCA versus XLR? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Audio Advisor","offers":[{"title":"0.6 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45983374311597,"sku":"NEW-AQBLACKBX-0.6XLXL","price":1155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.0 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45981960831149,"sku":"NEW-AQBLACKBX-1PXLXL","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45981611851949,"sku":"NEW-AQBLACKBX-1.5PXLXL","price":1470.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.0 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45981704519853,"sku":"NEW-AQBLACKBX-2PXLXL","price":1645.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.0 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45983413174445,"sku":"NEW-AQBLACKBX-3XLXL","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/AQBLACKBX_XLXL_01_2023__59344.1711657186.1280.1280_bcbba999-b4fb-42b1-b7b6-9eb938c60817.jpg?v=1778152519","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/audioquest-black-beauty-interconnect-cable-xlr-to-xlr","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}