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QED Reference Digital XLR 40 AES/EBU Audio Cable
£99.95 As low as £79.95 £66.62
SKU
QED XLR 40 AES/EBU
Lifetime
New
24 hours
Reference XLR 40 builds on the multi-award winning audio 40 range of products, now available in digital AES/EBU form.
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QED Reference Digital XLR 40 AES/EBU Audio Cable
Reference XLR 40 builds on the multi-award winning audio 40 range of products, now available in digital AES/EBU form.
XLR 40 is designed primarily for low jitter as this has been identified by QED as a major factor which leads to a high fidelity experience. Further steps have been taken to eliminate minute timing errors in the cable by the use of a special floating Zn/Mn ferrite jacket alongside use of QEDs unique 'Tri-Conductortm' technology that reduces signal to ground capacitance to vanishingly low levels.
Award Winning Heritage
Reference XLR 40 builds on the multi-award winning Audio 40 range of products, now available in XLR form. QED have joined forces with world renowned professional audio connector supplier Neutrik (UK) to bring you an innovative new XLR balanced interconnect cable with legendary build quality and reliability.
Professional Standard Neutrik Plugs
Neutrik XX-14 Nickel Series XLR gold plated connectors are provided as standard with Reference XLR 40 cables. These connectors are rugged and reliable and are the connector of choice for audio professionals around the world. They are particularly suited to QED's Tri-ConductorTM geometry due to the additional ground spring contacts which make for better shell ground continuity for the unique electrostatic screen which is only connected at the source end of the cable.
Just Listen
Silver plated conductors, LDPE dielectrics and legendary build quality combine to create audible sonic improvements. We urge you to compare Reference XLR 40 not only to your favourite cable but also alternative brands and models at any price!
Floating Ferrite Jacket
Absorbs high frequency noise signal components outside the audio band. When measured using high frequency measurement equipment, Audio 40 products convey a comparably cleaner and tighter signal pattern when its special Zn/Mn ferrite jacket is present. This has a beneficial effect on audio signal micro-timing, reducing digital jitter and timing errors to an ultra low level.
Unique Tri-Conductor Technology
QEDs unique Tri-Conductor technology uses a third Silver plated 99.999% OFC conductor which is integrally twisted alongside the similarly constructed signal pair to carry the ground return currents. This reduces signal to ground capacitance to vanishingly low levels affording the cable improved common mode rejection of mains hum pickup over ordinary "hot cold and screen" cables. This geometry is particularly effective in pro hi-fi audio applications when connecting pre and power amps using balanced cables or high end streamers to DACs using digital XLR AES/EBU.
Ferrite Insulation Technology
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Tri Conductor Technology
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Ultra Low JitterJitter is the undesired deviation from true periodicity of an assumed periodic signal in electronics and telecommunications, often in relation to a reference clock source. A cable displaying ultra low jitter has been measured at |
Specification :
- 99.999% Silver Plated Oxygen Free Copper
- 24 AWG Tri-Conductors with foamed PE dielectric
- Unique floating Zn/Mn impregnated ferrite jacket
- 99.999% OFC outer shield braid for 100% electrostatic screening
- High performance gold plated Neutrik XLR connectors with low contact resistance and high signal integrity
- Ultra Low Jitter
- Conductor Section 0.25 mm2
- Characteristic Impedance 110 Ω nominal
- Dissipation Factor@10kHz 0.0001 Nominal
- Outside Diameter 8 mm
- QED Lifetime Guarantee
About QED Cables 
QED is an award winning British company with over 40 years of experience in the audio-visual connectivity industry.
In 1973 Bob Abraham and Ian Vine founded QED Audio Products and changed the way people think about hi-fi cables. By the time QED 79 strand speaker cable was launched in 1978, it wasn’t looked upon as ‘just another speaker cable’ but was instead regarded as a serious hi-fi component, making a fundamental change in the way people thought about cables.
QED's reputation for innovation and technical excellence is known throughout the world. The latest computer-aided design techniques allow their research and development team to keep pace with technological advances and deliver products that achieve the highest levels of performance and reliability. This is why QED products are recommended by so many of the world’s leading hi-fi and home theatre equipment manufacturers.
QED offer a range of connectivity products spanning from both consumer and installation cables, wireless products and switching devices to satisfy every audio visual need.
QED is Europe's number one award winning connectivity brand and has won more prestigious cable awards from ‘What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision’ magazine than any other brand (Awards 1981–2013).
Specification :
- 99.999% Silver Plated Oxygen Free Copper
- 24 AWG Tri-Conductors with foamed PE dielectric
- Unique floating Zn/Mn impregnated ferrite jacket
- 99.999% OFC outer shield braid for 100% electrostatic screening
- High performance gold plated Neutrik XLR connectors with low contact resistance and high signal integrity
- Ultra Low Jitter
- Conductor Section 0.25 mm2
- Characteristic Impedance 110 Ω nominal
- Dissipation Factor@10kHz 0.0001 Nominal
- Outside Diameter 8 mm
- QED Lifetime Guarantee
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 10 Reviews
Excellent build and sound quality very strong cables.
malcolm doney
25 Nov 2021
Verified Buyer
Very pleased with the service; quick posting had cables burnt in for free if you take that off the cost of the cables, it's an excellent price; the build quality is superior-top quality materials used will buy again soon.
Excellent cable
Eugene
2 Jun 2021
Verified Buyer
This is my first AES/EBU cable so I have no previous cable to compare it with. One thing is for sure, the AES/EBU digital connection is superior to the coaxial or optical option. The resultant sound is fuller and more dynamic across the entire frequency range.
I ordered mine without any burn in as I live on the other side of the globe from FutureShop and I wanted it as soon as possible. For the first 20 hours, there were loose "boing", "boing" sounds aplenty in the bass (!!!) before the Reference Audio AES/EBU settled in. If you don't require urgent delivery of this cable, I would suggest using the free burn-in service. ;-)
Fit and finish of the cable and plugs are excellent. And FutureShop's international delivery is very prompt, thank you guys.
I ordered mine without any burn in as I live on the other side of the globe from FutureShop and I wanted it as soon as possible. For the first 20 hours, there were loose "boing", "boing" sounds aplenty in the bass (!!!) before the Reference Audio AES/EBU settled in. If you don't require urgent delivery of this cable, I would suggest using the free burn-in service. ;-)
Fit and finish of the cable and plugs are excellent. And FutureShop's international delivery is very prompt, thank you guys.
Deeply impressive, not only for the price
Erik Ingmar
10 Aug 2019
Verified Buyer
First let me complement Future Shop for sending me a 1,0m cable at no extra charge when the 0,5m cable I had ordered turned out to be sold out.
I use the cable to connect a Bryston DAC and network player combo. When new, the combo was sold with an American 5 inch SPDIF cable of ultra-high quality (and price) that had been produced specifically for it. But since then, I believe that a majority of the owners of the combo have come to prefer the AES/SBU interface over the SPDIF. The reason I got the QED was to try it out for myself.
I am very glad that I did because with the QED in place the results are - yes, I agree - quite a bit better overall. The size of soundstage and the spaciousness (dimensionality) has definitely improved, and I think the timbre and tone too now sounds more true and organic - more analog and less digital as the cliche goes.
U
Not all of this is necessarily due to the QED cable itself. For one thing it is simply longer, and this may have a positive impact. And as mentioned before, the two digital interfaces sound quite different in the opinion of many of the owners who have compared them. Still, the results produced with the QED as they stand are extremely convincing musically. Hence, when the excellent build quality and very reasonable price of this cable are taken into account the QED must without doubt rate as a veritable bargain.
Very highly recommended.
I use the cable to connect a Bryston DAC and network player combo. When new, the combo was sold with an American 5 inch SPDIF cable of ultra-high quality (and price) that had been produced specifically for it. But since then, I believe that a majority of the owners of the combo have come to prefer the AES/SBU interface over the SPDIF. The reason I got the QED was to try it out for myself.
I am very glad that I did because with the QED in place the results are - yes, I agree - quite a bit better overall. The size of soundstage and the spaciousness (dimensionality) has definitely improved, and I think the timbre and tone too now sounds more true and organic - more analog and less digital as the cliche goes.
U
Not all of this is necessarily due to the QED cable itself. For one thing it is simply longer, and this may have a positive impact. And as mentioned before, the two digital interfaces sound quite different in the opinion of many of the owners who have compared them. Still, the results produced with the QED as they stand are extremely convincing musically. Hence, when the excellent build quality and very reasonable price of this cable are taken into account the QED must without doubt rate as a veritable bargain.
Very highly recommended.
High quality
Rob Williams
18 Mar 2019
Verified Buyer
I wanted to try the AES/EBU output from my cd transport to compare with the SPDIF so need a decent cable. I’m not disappointed! The tonal balance is much better- less brittle at the top and more contained and realistic with the bass. Great price and speedy delivery. Thank you