IXOS Geometry
Parallel Pairs
Parallel
pairs are most commonly used in speaker cables because they offer
both low resistance and low signal attenuation. However, the design
suffers from poor noise immunity because of its susceptibility to
electromagnetic noise. The main advantage of parallel pairs is their
low manufacturing price.
Coaxial
Coaxial
signal conductors are in essence parallel conductors. This design
is more commonly used to control impedance in low voltage cables
such as interconnects for some audio, digital, and video signal
transmissions. In these designs braided shields are used to enhance
high frequency noise cancellation. The downside is that the design
is susceptible to low frequency noise. As in parallel pairs, coaxial
cables are an inexpensive solution when used as signal interconnects.
Twisted Pairs
In
a twisted pair design, the two conductors are repeatedly twisted
together along their length and then encased in an outer jacket.
The continual twisting attempts to ensure that the conductors are
physically as close to each other as possible. The result is that
superior noise cancellation occurs. However it also increases the
Proximity Effect, which in turn impedes signal transmission. This
resistance increases at higher frequencies and as a result the signal
will often sound too dull. The design is ideal for cables where
noise rejection rather than sound quality is the main priority,
such as telephone cable.
Perimeter Design
In a perimeter design the conductors are placed around the perimeter of a central core. This is done to separate the conductors from each other so as to reduce Proximity Effect. Crossing the conductors repeatedly along the length of the cable will further reduce Proximity Effect. If the conductors were to cross at exactly 90° it would have the same effect as if they were infinitely apart and the result would be the virtual elimination of Proximity Effect. However the noise rejection of this cable is poor because of the large spacing between the positive and negative conductors. Although perimeter design cables have a reputation for producing excellent sound quality, they tend to be very costly because of the complex processes involved in their production.
Introducing IXOS® Gamma Geometry
Gamma Geometry is a radical new development in cable technology and is the result of our research into ways of improving on traditional parallel and twisted pair designs. It represents a significant advance on current cable design thinking and offers benefits without sacrifices in signal transfer.
How Does It Work?
The new Gamma Geometry breaks the paradigm of cable technology by bringing together the advantages of all types of cable geometry into one design. It breaks the mould of traditional thinking by using 3 cores, instead of two, in a new and unique approach. The positive and negative conductors are woven in a non-aligned waveform and are held together by a third Inductance Control Core (ICC) of pure dielectric. Unlike conventional twisted pairs, Gamma Geometry reduces proximity effect by crossing the positive and negative conductors, repeatedly and frequently, closer to the optimum of 90 degrees. While it achieves this without continuous contact, the conductors nonetheless remain physically close to each other and therefore excellent noise rejection is maintained. By reducing proximity effect and maintaining noise rejection in a single design, Gamma Geometry improves signal circulation and thereby establishes a standard that was not previously thought possible.
GAMMA GEOMETRY ENSURES IMPROVED SIGNAL CIRCULATION RESULTING IN DYNAMIC MUSICAL REPRODUCTION AND HIGHLY FOCUSED, WIDE, NATURAL STAGING. World patents pending.
APTIMUS
Advanced Polymer Treated Individual Multiple Strands
APTIMUS is a new kind of wire. Given a choice, Audio Enthusiasts would demand solid core conductors because they know that they produce the best sound quality. Often, however, they will compromise with high quality multi-strand conductors because they allow the flexibility required for home installation. Now IXOS has developed APTIMUS, which for the first time allows a multi-strand cable to behave as a solid core conductor. The challenge involved developing a microscopically thin polymer dielectric coating which would isolate every individual copper strand in a multi-strand cable while at the same time remain sufficiently elastic so as to maintain the cables flexibility.
How does APTIMUS work?
In any cable, the high frequency signals tend to migrate to the outer perimeter of a conductor or conductors. This is known as Skin Effect. In a controlled diameter solid core this is usually not a problem because the signal always remains within the solid strand. In multi-strand designs the tendency for the signal to migrate forces the electrons to arc across the individual strands. This phenomenon is known as Strand Interaction and will, if not controlled, give the music a coarse characteristic. With APTIMUS this problem is eliminated because the signal is tunnelled through each individual strand by the micro-polymer barrier. No arcing occurs, resulting in a silky-smooth, full bodied holographic image.
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