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Some people question why it’s worth spending money on the final couple of meters of power cabling, when the electricity available from a wall socket has already travelled miles to get to that point.
The fact is, those final meters are critical. An ordinary ‘kettle lead’ like those supplied free with hi-fi components contains only rudimentary conductors and connectors – the bare minimum to ensure the item works. Cables like these act as aerials to EMI/RFI, which affects the performance of audio equipment, and are not built to maintain electrical integrity to the standard required for high-quality audio reproduction.
This is important because mains electricity is the raw material from which the audio signal that drives your speakers is fashioned. If the electricity powering your audio equipment is affected by noise, the sound waves that reach your ears will suffer from consequential distortion.
A high-quality audio power cable is tailor-made to suit the current requirements of audio equipment, from source components to power amps, with special high-current cables for big, current-hungry amps. They are also designed to protect the integrity of the electricity they carry, minimising distortion and preventing the ingress of EMI/RFI. A simple A/B listening test between a standard ‘kettle lead’ and a specialised audio power cable like those made by IsoTek shows the difference this simple upgrade can make.
Of course, if you really want to maximise your system’s performance, you should consider one of IsoTek’s award- winning power conditioners. But if you do, don’t forget the cables; running a high-quality mains conditioner without power cables of sufficient quality is tantamount to mopping the floor then walking on it with muddy shoes.
Not all cables are created equal
Cable design – be it interconnect, loudspeaker or power – must consider conductor purity, dielectric specification, geometry of the overall assembly and termination. Performance reduction comes in various forms – in signal- carrying cables, it manifests as a relatively benign loss of information or a tonal change to the character of the music. In power cables, restrictions occur due to poor conductivity, impure copper, low conductor size and inadequate dielectric choices, especially when combined with cheap termination using low-grade brass.
IsoTek power cables pay deep consideration to all areas of design and construction. For conductors, the highest-purity 99.9999% oxygen-free copper is the baseline standard, with more expensive designs using silver plating, Ohno Continuous Cast copper and even deep cryogenic treatment for optimum conductivity. The size, quantity and configuration of conductors advances as we progress through the range, as does the level of shielding and the materials used for termination.
The result is a seven-strong range of power cables, each one engineered to deliver exceptional performance at its price point. From the low-cost, high-performance EVO3 Initium to the extraordinary EVO3 Ascension, there’s a cable to suit every system and every pocket – simply arrange an audition at your nearest IsoTek dealer to hear the difference for yourself.
Several IsoTek products contain a System Link outlet (Neutrik powerCON), this is designed to connect multiple units together, maintaining a stared earth reference, and preserving the need for multiple wall outlet sockets. Our System Link cable is available in several configurations.
EVO3 Initium is IsoTek’s entry level power cable designed to offer high quality performance at an extremely fair price.
Premier delivers excellent performance, and also represents outstanding value-for-money. No compromise has been made in relation to the quality of parts and materials used in its construction.
EVO3 Sequel power cable offers increased performance over IsoTek’s multi-award winning Premier, featuring optimised conductor strand geometry and active shielding.
Elite offer fantastic extension and frequency range, lowering noise floor and making an exceptionally stable sound stage. Another top class cable at a very reasonable price point.
A high quality FEP provides a very low dielectric constant over a wide frequency range. The three conductors are given a slight rotational twist to aid RFI and EMI rejection, and are then surrounded by a cotton filler which give internal strength and reduce microphony.
Syncro is a high performance power cable, which incorporates unique DC-cancelling electronics, that rebalances the mains sine wave on the zero volts line to dramatically reduce/silence transformer hum.
EVO3 Ascension takes IsoTek’s power cable designs and technical innovations to a new level. It drops the noise floor to an inky black level, opens the soundstage with holographic images, air and space and unparalleled micro dynamics. Astonishing.
IsoTek’s range of high-quality 24ct gold connectors will raise the performance of any power cable. All connection surfaces are pure copper, then plated in 24ct gold. The fully detachable main body uses high-quality injection-moulded polycarbonate with an injection-moulded nylon front assembly.
“The mixture of power and sensitivity accessed via the EVO3 Elite cable means that it will be ideal for all genres of music while its penetrating senses of detail means that you won’t miss a moment, even during complex passages. More than that, I was impressed to hear the amount of detail from this low noise design, which aids its value for money quotient. An impressive design.”
“The EVO3 Elite provided a rich, detailed playback with tightened focus giving the frequency more command of the soundstage… a top quality cable.”
“IsoTek gets power. Every product the company makes is designed to improve the performance of audio equipment by addressing the power somehow. So, it should be logical that IsoTek is the go-to company for power cords. In direct sonic terms, IsoTek’s EVO3 Elite also polishes the sound of a component. The more EVO3 Elite I put in the system, the more these effects helped liberate the music and conversely, when you take them out, the hitherto fine sound of the system became that little bit smaller and more tarnished. Impressive stuff.”
“The Sequel is well built and keenly priced and gives source equipment in particular a performance boost.”
“A real high-end power cord with a double-digit price tag and the typical audiophile excellence that distinguish all IsoTek products.”
“EVO3 Ascension is not IsoTek’s first cable. Its not even the company’s first ‘real’ cable. But it is ‘born to the purple’; the first cable that will be taken really seriously by audio’s glitterati. Highly recommended!”
The Ascension represents the ultimate in conductor purity and power cable construction.
HIFI+ look back at some of the best products they’ve reviewed in their last 50 issues – since 2012 – and include IsoTeks EVO3 Initium in the best 50.
“The EVO3 Ascension is a fine power player in its own right…and after 24 hours of running in, it can really deliver the musical goods. This cable really lowers the noise floor and lets the soundstage breathe! “
“The IsoTek EVO3 Initium is one of the most cost-effective power cable upgrades you can make. It comes highly recommended.”
“Improves the clarity of the sound, noticeable step up in instrument focus. The EVO3 Initium is a great value for money cable that provides excellent build quality”
“British power specialist IsoTek’s new EVO3 Initium offers a discount power cable for demanding music lovers…. thanks to high quality design and sophisticated technology Initium would always be a preference above the standard black cable.”
“The Initium is a superbly engineered power cord, its sonic impact is hard to understand given its reasonable price. Therefore the IsoTek Initium gets a clear and deserved ‘Price Tip’ award.”
“IsoTek’s EVO3 Initium is now our all-rounder default mains cable choice, and comes highly recommended as a result.”
“The EVO3 Optimum turns in an extremely impressive performance. The improvement it makes is profound and should leave no one in any doubt about the importance of mains power.”
“The IsoTek EVO3 Premier power cable is a bit of a no-brainer as far as I am concerned – the benefits of high-end power cable design, but without the high price. Recommended!”
IsoTek has upgraded the acclaimed Optimum power cable to deliver enhanced performance at outstanding value for money.
“This lead offers a level of performance that competes with considerably more expensive cables… so effective and such good value for money that I now have three!”
“A distinct cleaning up of the sound… more space, lower noise, greater resolution and a much greater sense of musical flow… highly recommended and particularly good value for money”
If you’re not sure which IsoTek product is correct for your system use our ‘find the right thing’ product search facility. Simply enter your details into the parameters of this product search facility and we’ll make a suggestion to help you decide the best possible option for optimising your system.
IsoTek has appointed distributors across the world to support its products and to give you the customer the best local service by professionals appointed through our distributors network. Please choose your country to find a local IsoTek supplier near you.
