Need help? Call us on 0800 772 3688 or 0208 905 1555
Prefer email? Contact us via sales@futureshop.co.uk
Need help? Call us on 0800 772 3688 or 0208 905 1555
Prefer email? Contact us via sales@futureshop.co.uk
Atlas have made greater improvements on their new Element Achromatic Audio cable to create a higher performance starting point that delivers zero "colourisation" based upon their many years of knowledge and value for money characteristics.
Atlas have made greater improvements on their new Element Achromatic Audio cable to create a higher performance starting point that delivers zero "colourisation" based upon their many years of knowledge and value for money characteristics.
The new Atlas Element Achromatic Audio cable has significantly increased OCC copper content over the original Element Integra, as well as a reconfigured conductor lay, to reduce interstrand distoration and deletions. Additionally, the cable geometry has been improved to stabilise concentricity along the full length of the cable.
By improving the core elements of the Element Achromatic audio cable, the overall performance is greatly improved for an entry level cable. This means Atlas Element Achromatic audio cable can offer fantastic performance for most hi-fi systems due to it's minimal "colourisation" and greater bandwidth capabilities over and above the original Atlas Element Integra.
Atlas’s expert electro-mechanical knowledge has led to the innovation of the next generation of RCA plugs. Known as the ‘Atlas Achromatic RCA plug’, Atlas has focused on improving both performance and appearance to create a higher performance starting point for their RCA cables as well as eliminating variability in performance. This has been achieved by refocusing on materials and the assembly processes.
Atlas has made 4 key changes with the Achromatic RCA plug. Firstly, the barrel of the Achromatic plug features a high stability ABS material. This is strong, stable and of superlative surface quality.
There is also an improvement to the Achromatic plug’s contact geometry, aiding the contact properties of the plug and the self-cleaning wiping action to ensure contacts are in optimal condition and to maximise signal transmission.
The third change Atlas made was around the rifling of the RCA pin. This improvement self-aligns the conductors during the cold weld processing, ensuring a superior stable connection.
Finally, there is a reduction in the overall mass of the RCA plug by 8% which has shown to improve signal transmission.
The above changes mean a solder-free, low mass, self-cleaning, recyclable RCA plug with a non-conductive body.
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) |
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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 |
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 |
Central conductor (signal path) surrounded by dielectric material encased within a circular conducting screen which acts as the signal return path.
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"The Element is very flexible making it easy to fit around the back of kit and the plugs are a real step-up in quality. Having run in the Element, which is connected between a valve preamp and valve monoblocks, we play a recording of John Williams and the English Chamber Orchestra performing the second movement of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. We’re drawn into Williams’ intimate guitar performance right from the start of the movement. There is a good sense of spaciousness and depth to the soundstage and the imaging, especially of the guitar, is excellent" - (Read More) Hi-Fi Choice Recommended - February 2021
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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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Deliveries to EU member states are subject to 20% VAT. We offer the following shipping services:
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:
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.
Please take note of the following details regarding our cable burn-in service:
The Nordost VIDAR cable burn-in machine integrates three key functions into one operation:
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.
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:
When cables are properly burnt in, you can expect the following audible changes in your audio system:
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