The ‘little’ prodigy.
We started developing the USB project a long time ago and, as usual, the Magnus series is a derivation of the top of the range Invictus. Also the Magnus USB follows this construction philosophy, in order to guarantee certain performances for high quality systems, even if not of absolute level. This is a USB Audio cable with a refined construction that shares with its bigger brothers the basic idea that a digital signal, in order to be transported well, must be protected from interference and enjoy excellent isolation in order to obtain a smooth, precise and faithful transmission.
The sound performance is characterised by a marked improvement in the bass range, which acquires depth, and a better separation in the mid-high range, which gives brightness and detail to voices. The greater control makes listening more airy and fresh. Certainly the best result is obtained with lossless source files, but the general improvement is also perceivable in PCM and, incredibly, even with compressed formats, such as MP3.
Performance above the norm.
When it comes to USB cables, the “material” transported is the bit, i.e. computer data. So, although our cables are specifically for Audio, we have carried out purely computer tests to understand the limits of our product. As with all digital cables, length is an enemy and the USB 2.0 specification certifies signal transport with lengths between source and receiver of no more than 5m. The Magnus USB goes far beyond these distances and could compete in some length records. We’ve made cables much longer than we’ll ever need in audio and performed connection tests with a Hi-Fi DAC with 96kHz audio files and a very simple passive pen drive.
The result, a result of the inherent quality of Magnus USB, is impressive. We were able to connect the DAC up to a distance of 30 metres, playing 96 kHz files. With a passive device, which has no auxiliary power supply and has to receive its power supply from the cable, we were able to reach 25 metres when connected to a direct USB port on the PC. If we consider that commercially available USB cables, for distances of more than 5 metres, must be equipped with one or more boosters, we understand from these tests the extreme capacity of Magnus USB to transport computer data from one point to another.
Construction of Quality and Quantity.
What is the secret of this performance? Simple, the construction techniques and the quality of the materials used. Magnus USB is equipped with 4 shields, intelligently placed to shield the cable from the outside, but also to keep the data and power parts well separated. Unfortunately, shielding is a bit like an antibiotic, carrying both benefits and disadvantages, so we created a separate cording geometry between data and power, separating it with specific insulators and using different dielectrics to find the best balance between shielding and optimum transmission.
The aim was to create a USB cable with the correct impedance, low capacity, low resistance and excellent shielding. These assumptions led to a very complex manufacturing geometry which, thanks to its balance, made it possible to achieve outstanding results for this product, which oozes craftsmanship even from the connector, designed to ensure easy grip and protection in the most delicate soldering points.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 35 pF/m
- Impedance: 90 Ω
- Resistance: 70 Ω/km
- Max. transmission distance: 25 m passive – 30 m powered
- External diameter: Ø 11.50 mm
- Material Conductors: MARC Pure Copper 7N 99.99999%.
- Strand Diameter: 0.08 mm
- Structure Conductors: UR System (Asymmetric Twist System specific for USB)
- Conductor sections Power supply: 2 x 0.34 mm²
- Conductor shielding Power supply: Mylar/Aluminium
- Conductor geometry Power supply: Parallel
- Dielectric Conductor insulation Power supply: Polyethylene foam
- Conductor sections Data: 2 x 0.22 mm²
- Conductor shielding Data: Mylar/Aluminium + OFC Copper Braid with 80% coverage
- Conductor geometry Data: Concentric Twisted
- Dielectric Conductor Insulator Data: Polyethylene foam
- RNR Noise Reduction Data: None
- Internal insulation: 6 x cylinder system
- External shielding: Tinned OFC Copper Braid
- External Protection: High density sheathing with Polyethylene/Nylon overbraid
- Connector material: Hand-moulded rubber shell
- Contact: Hand-welded with special Eutectic Alloy Sn/Ag/Cu
- Features Connectors: Copper contacts 24K Gold plated
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