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Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm S/PDIF Digital Audio Cable
As low as €244.50
SKU
Atlas Ascent S/PDIF
5 Years
New
24 hours
Request Price MatchThe Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm SP-DIF digital cable is a superb cable which gives a considerable insight into the state-of-the-art performance of Atlas' ‘high-end’ Mavros interconnect at a very reasonable price. Ascent was designed to be technically and sonically superior to competing digital cables currently available at similar prices.
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Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm SP-DIF Digital Audio Cable
The Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm SP-DIF digital cable is a superb cable which gives a considerable insight into the state-of-the-art performance of Atlas' ‘high-end’ Mavros interconnect at a very reasonable price. Ascent was designed to be technically and sonically superior to competing digital cables currently available at similar prices.
The central conductor is made from OCC copper which is insulated by an extremely low-loss PEF (Foamed Polyethylene) dielectric. The tightly woven wire mesh together with an aluminium outer foil provides 100% rejection of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) ensuring the music signal is free from any external noise. The cable is covered by a soft PVC sleeve and finished in a grey woven fabric.
The Ascent digital cable is terminated with Atlas' cold-weld connected wideband Ultra RCA plugs. The result is a smooth, uninterrupted signal path which behaves as one continuous entity, with minimal degradation of the signal compared to soldered connections. This is particularly important in a digital cable, connectors which compress the cable can actually alter the cable’s impedance, which drops below the 75 Ohm specification, typically by up to 50%, reducing accuracy of the signal transfer.
Features :
- Ultra RCA Plugs
- OCC Copper Conductors
- PEF Dielectric
- Co-ax Construction
Ultra RCA Plug
The Ultra is a wide-band, OCC copper, constant impedance, self-cleaning, solder-free construction RCA plug.
In Atlas' cables, the conductor to plug interfaces are solder free, and the gold-plated conjugate brackets act as the return signal path, helping to reject RFI. Both conjugate brackets (these grip the cable without the adverse effects of compressing it, which can alter impedance) have two asymmetrical leaves which spring open on insertion and wipe clean the signal path. To maintain a clean signal path, simply remove and re-insert them periodically.
The Ultra RCA connectors utilise low-mass non-magnetic connectors to minimise the negative effect of excessive metal in the plug itself.
Ohno Continuous Casting Copper (OCC Copper)
The Ohno continuous casting method re-heats the extrusion as the molten copper is forced out of the mould and very slowly and gradually draws the grain or crystal down the conductor''s length, creating a ‘single crystal structure.’ Actually, because no copper is 100% pure, there will always be a few boundaries produced by impurities. The frequency of boundaries created are quite insignificant. A typical crystal in a copper conductor drawn to 0.3 mm diam. using the OCC process is 125.00 metres long!
The benefits are obvious, with almost no crystal boundaries, the audio signal is no longer impeded down the copper wire and more information and detail is delivered faithfully to the receiving equipment.
| Copper Purity Comparison (0.3mm Diameter) | ||||
| TPC | OFC | OCC | ||
| Purity | >99.9% | >99.99% | >99.999% | |
| Specific Gravity | 8.75 | 8.926 | 8.938 | |
| Gas Impurities (ppm) | ||||
| O2 | 200~500 | <10 | <5 | |
| H2 | <0.5 | <0.5 | <0.3 | |
| Average Crystal Size (Metre) | 0.007 | 0.02 | 125.00 | |
| Crystals Per Metre | 150 | 50 | 0.008 | |
PEF Dielectric
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is cheap to produce and, as such, is the most commonly used insulation in AV cables. However, PVC is the worst quality insulation a Hi-Fi or AV signal can encounter as its high loss causes a significant reduction in signal velocity. PVC is better suited to power cables and should be avoided in Hi-Fi and AV signal cables.
Other dielectrics in common use are Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polytetrafluoride Epoxy (better known as PTFE (Teflon™) or Teflon,) and the new and unique Atlas (PTFE).
PEF (Foamed Polyethylene). The foaming process uses a blowing agent, of which there are two types. Atlas use the gas-foamed method which creates a more inert, consistent and higher quality product.
The table below shows the properties of a selection of dielectrics. Though not used as a dielectric in Atlas' cables, PVC is included for comparison purposes.
| Dielectric Material Comparison (0.3mm Diameter) | |||||
| Property | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
Foamed Polyethylene (PEF) |
Polypropylene (P.P) |
Teflon (FEP or PTFE) |
PTFE |
| Dielectric Constant (@ 50 -106Hz) |
4-8 | 2.3 | 2.25 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Dielectric Strength (kV mm-1) |
23-30 | 30-50 | 30-50 | 20-25 | N/A |
| Loss Tangent (% @ 50 - 106Hz) |
8-15 | 0.02-0.05 | 0.02-0.06 (@ 106Hz) |
0.02-0.07 | N/A |
| Volume Resistivity (Ohms.cm @ 20°C) |
1012-15 | >1017 | 6.5x1014 | >1016 | N/A |
| Tensile Strength (Kg mm-2) |
1.0-2.5 | 1.0-2.0 | 3.0-4.0 | 1.9-2.2 | 1.0 |
| Melting Point (°C) |
-130 | 112-120 | 155-160 | 275 | 275 |
| Max. Continuous Operating Temp. (°C) |
60 | 75 | 90 | 200 | 260 |
| Min. Operating Temp. (°C) |
-15 to -40 | <-60 | -5 to -45 | <-60 | -250 |
Co-ax Construction
Central conductor (signal path) surrounded by dielectric material encased within a circular conducting screen which acts as the signal return path.
Specification :
- Construction : Co-ax
- Material : OCC
- Dielectric : PEF (Foamed Polyethylene)
- Screen : Braid + Al Mylar™
- Capacitance : 59.37 pF/m
- Inductance : 0.473 µH/m
- Resistance : 0.7311 Ohms/m
- Impedance : 73.11 Ohms at (1MHz)
- VOP : 0.81
- Outside Diameter : 8.5mm
About Atlas Cables 
Atlas Cables are a major producer of interconnects and cables in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. All products are researched, developed and most are assembled in the Atlas purpose built factory in Scotland.
Many of these products are unique and use advanced techniques of production or manufacture in order to bring to the user the very finest quality products. With each new model we continue to push the boundaries of reliability and performance. It's little wonder then, that Atlas Cables have had so many mile-stone advances in the past and that Atlas Cables have secured so many awards in comparative tests against other products.
Specification :
- Construction : Co-ax
- Material : OCC
- Dielectric : PEF (Foamed Polyethylene)
- Screen : Braid + Al Mylar™
- Capacitance : 59.37 pF/m
- Inductance : 0.473 µH/m
- Resistance : 0.7311 Ohms/m
- Impedance : 73.11 Ohms at (1MHz)
- VOP : 0.81
- Outside Diameter : 8.5mm
UK Delivery
1. We use Royal Mail 1st Class Services as a Standard Postage Option
Orders received before 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. Over 98% of our orders are usually delivered the next working day including Saturdays.
Standard delivery is usually within 2-3 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays . In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.
All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Futureshop.co.uk. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD or Interlink Express for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order Monday to Friday subject to stock availability. For International orders, we use FedEx Services where customers have selected this option.
Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths or custom-made cables may be subject to longer delivery time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We offer 'Free UK delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:
- Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at FutureShop.co.uk
- Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by UK Mail).
- Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
- You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
- We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
- FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.
Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or Interlink Express next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.
Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or Interlink Express.
2. Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day
We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.
For the Next Day Special Delivery service, orders must be received by futureshop.co.uk by 4.30pm weekdays. Orders after the 4.30pm deadline cannot be guaranteed for same day dispatch.
Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.
For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.
3. Channel Islands & Northern Ireland
We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.
European Countries
Deliveries to EU member states are subject to 20% VAT. We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Untracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 10 working days.
- Royal Mail First Class International Tracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 7 working days.
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
- Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours
Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe
Deliveries outside of the EU are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you login or register.
We offer the following shipping services:
- Royal Mail First Class International Untracked Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days.
- Royal Mail First Class International Tracked Airmail - Items are usually delivered within 10-15 working days.
- DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.
- Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.
Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets.
Enhance Your Experience: Free Cable Burn-In Service with Nordost VIDAR Machine
Please take note of the following details regarding our cable burn-in service:
- Cable Compatibility: We regret to inform you that we cannot burn-in cables with stripped bare ends or BFA plugs. In order for cables to undergo the burn-in process, they should be terminated or have connectors.
- Timing: Cables will be burnt in for the selected period after processing your order. For custom-length cables, the burn-in process will occur after they have been terminated by the manufacturer or our engineers unless specified otherwise in the product description.
- Availability: Future Shop provides our cable burn-in service free of charge, but its availability is at our discretion. While we strive to fulfil all burn-in requests for the specified time periods, please understand that during exceptionally busy periods, we may be unable to meet the demand due to limited connections on the Nordost Vidar cable conditioning machines.
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine integrates three key functions into one operation:
- Charge Neutralisation: It eliminates charges that accumulate around the cables and their insulation, ensuring a more balanced electrical environment.
- Deep Conditioning: The machine provides a wide band and deep conditioning process that affects the conductor core, resulting in changes to the signal transmission through the metal. This deep conditioning enhances the cable's performance.
- Ultrasonic Surface Conditioning: The VIDAR machine utilizes ultrasonic waves to condition the surface of the conductors, optimizing their contact and overall conductivity.
The VIDAR employs a proprietary combination of composite and complex signals to condition the cables. These signals comprise ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies, extending beyond the range of video frequencies. The signal moves back and forth along the cable, penetrating deep into the core with ultra-low frequencies and traversing the surface with ultra-high frequencies. This transmission method generates beat harmonics between the two complex waveforms, which permeate all layers of the cable. The circuitry of the VIDAR also drives electrons from the conductor into the insulation area, neutralizing electrical charges.
So, what does this all mean for you?
The ultimate outcome of conditioning cables with the Nordost VIDAR is improved sound staging, increased detail, and an overall more musical presentation in your audio system.
Now, you may wonder why cable burn-in is necessary. During cable manufacturing, gasses become trapped as insulation is applied over the conductors. Additionally, new cables often possess high electrical charges, resulting in a brittle and bright sound that lacks the desired detail and depth for music production.
When cables undergo burn-in, the trapped gasses are dissipated, and small impurities in the conductor metals begin to exhibit diode-like behaviour, favouring current flow in a specific direction.
Here are the physical effects of the burn-in process:
- Charge Neutralisation: The burn-in process neutralizes charges in the conductors and insulation, promoting a more balanced electrical environment.
- Wide Bandwidth Frequencies: The conditioning affects how signals pass through the metal, enabling a wider range of frequencies to penetrate all cable layers.
- Signal Transmission: The burn-in process establishes the directionality of the cable, optimizing signal transmission from one end to the other.
When cables are properly burnt in, you can expect the following audible changes in your audio system:
- Fuller and Natural Sound: Your system should be capable of producing a more immersive and realistic performance with a fuller and more natural sound.
- Increased Detail: You may notice enhanced details and nuances in the music, allowing you to perceive subtle elements that were previously hidden.
- Improved Soundstage: The dimensionality of your system's soundstage can be greatly improved, creating a more spacious and immersive listening experience.
At Future Shop, our goal is to maximise your satisfaction. That's why we offer a free burn-in service on all our cables before they arrive at your door, enabling you to sit back and enjoy the benefits of properly conditioned cables in your audio system.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NORDOST VIDAR CABLE TREATMENT
Customer Reviews
5 /5.0 of 6 Reviews
Wow!
Neale
1 Dec 2020
Verified Buyer
The Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm SP-DIF Digital Audio Cable connects my Audiolab 6000cdt to my Rotel RA1570 and this could well be the missing link.
The Atlas shines in ALL aspects and is a vast improvement on my previous cable.
Try for yourself and you will be pleasantly surprised.
This has been a great purchase.
The Atlas shines in ALL aspects and is a vast improvement on my previous cable.
Try for yourself and you will be pleasantly surprised.
This has been a great purchase.
Great replacement for a Toslink
Arnie Mearns
24 Aug 2019
Verified Buyer
Great replacement for a Toslink. This connects a Cyrus transport to a Roksan DAC, replacing a QED Toslink. There may be a slight increase in bass depth but as I had hoped this cable has cleared much of the treble hiss/sibilence. Like the previous reviewer I'd recommend the long burn in, I was too impatient.
Beautifully made and packaged cable and British.
Beautifully made and packaged cable and British.
Big difference
Stuart
14 Feb 2018
Verified Buyer
This Atlas digital interconnect is used from a Cambridge CD Transport to an Audiolab DAC. It replaces a Graham Slee CuSat 50. Immediate and big difference in the clarity of the bass. Quite surprised at that. Treble harshness has all but gone. No doubt sound will improve even more over time. Recommend the 96 hour burn in.
I was a little dubious that I would get much of a...
alan restel
12 Sep 2017
Verified Buyer
I was a little dubious that I would get much of a sonic upgrade over my QED performance interconnect but I was being plagued with a bright almost harsh sound from my CD player so decided to give it a try. On initial setup I immediately heard more detail, better separation and less sibilance. The cable looks extremely well made and is obviously more high end in appearance. Shame it's hidden away at the back of the CD player and AMP! Overall I'm very happy with the purchase and count it as money well spent. Thanks to Adam for his helpful advice and pointing me to this cable. The cable arrive extremely well packaged and fast.