Technology

Merlin Cables have all been designed to excel in all areas of use and design. For those technically minded, all Merlin Cables use 6N laboratory-spec high purity oxygen free copper conductors in low temperature polyethylene dielectrics. In addition to this we also use many of our own technologies explained below to further enhance the audio and visual performance of our cables.

All these technologies are the foundations for the Award Winning success of Merlin Cables and have provided the platform from which to build on. All of our models use one or more of these technologies, the higher the level of model the more you will see incorporated.

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HCT - Hybrid Core Technology

Traditional multi strand cables often exhibit excellent frequency extension but are normally impaired by a veiled mid-band and a slightly undefined bass. Conversely solid core cables tend to present a more open sound but suffer from a tailored frequency range.

By using our Hybrid Core Technology (HCT) the benefits of both multi-strand and solid-core cables are combined and their drawbacks effectively minimised. Constructions of our cables can consist of anything between 4 and 54 various diameter individual cores of copper arranged in either a spaced flat ribbon-style configuration or various precision helical spirals to ensure consistency of performance of all cables made.

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IRC - Inert Resin Coating

Unlike other cable products, the advanced manufacturing techniques of our HCT conductors enable each HCT copper core to be coated individually in an inert (non-reactive) resin (IRC) as soon as they are drawn. This has 2 major benefits, firstly it dramatically reduces the likelihood of any oxidisation of the conductor which can be a huge issue with conventional manufacturing techniques and also importantly it minimises the skin-effect problem caused by contact between conductor and dielectric that is normally associated with conventional cables.

Basically in conventional production techniques the dielectric will cause a chemical reaction with the conductor as soon as it is applied and thus changes the hole characteristics of the cable, audible by an altered sonic signature and colouration and causing vast inconsistencies as well as increasing the resistance of the conductor and slowing down its signal transfer speed. Many companies over the years have tried to overcome the well known problems of dielectric interference but so far the general method has been using very expensive dielectrics and manufacturing techniques and so imparting exorbitant prices on the end user.

The unique coating and construction techniques used in all Merlin IRC treated HCT cables virtually eliminate the problem of dielectric interference, thus negating the requirement of expensive dielectric materials and manufacturing techniques meaning we have more money to use on other components used in the cable or perhaps a more labour intensive construction technique all there to benefit the customer and to ensure the best value for money on all our models.

An additional benefit to any Merlin Cables using IRC treated HCT conductors are that the airtight Inert Resin Coating and a low temperature polyethylene dielectric with the additional outer dielectric means they are all at least triple-insulated.

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NAS - Noise Absorbing System

Another of our proprietary technologies is our passive (NAS) Noise Absorbing System. This totally non-intrusive absorption technique is designed to remove damaging RF (radio frequency) and EM (electro-magnetic) interference from your cables or signal. NAS enables the components in a Hi-Fi or Audio Visual system to operate more efficiently without suffering from the detrimental effect of harmful harmonic noise.

Leaked emissions from the equipment itself and those picked up by the cable represent the focus of the proprietary system. Whilst conventional audio cables only use screening to prevent RF and EM interference, an audio cable can still transmit RF and EM picked up internally from equipment - simply using a screened cable to combat these problems is not effective. The philosophy of Merlin Cables is to remove the problems before it enters the system. The NAS is designed to work at frequencies of 20MHz and above, with a bandwidth greater than 30GHz.

As already explained, all cables can have the ability to act as miniature antennas they transform noise voltages and noise currents into radiated EMI (electro magnetic interference), thereby having a damaging effect on the sound or picture quality of your system. By drastically reducing these levels sound and picture quality becomes more detailed and defined.

On Audio the higher frequencies becoming clearer and sweeter coupled to a more agile and tuneful bass performance, the improvement in the high-frequencies enables the key mid-range to open considerably and become more liquid and focused. With video images the picture becomes sharper and clearer with a far more vivid depth to colours yet displaying less saturation and exhibiting sharper edge definition and reducing noise allowing the hole image to become far more 3 dimensional and natural.

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Our Connections - Plug Types

All Merlin Interconnect Cables are available as standard with high-quality low-mass or locking RCA Phono plugs. Higher grade RCA plugs are available by request and as standard fit on higher spec models. Professional-grade Neutrik XLR connectors are available for true balanced operation on appropriate models on request as are BNC, F-Type, Coax, 4 & 5 pin Din, 3.5mm Stereo, 1/4 inch stereo, 1/4 inch mono connections.

Speaker Cables are normally terminated in low-mass dual-function 4mm Banana/BFA plugs for ease of use. Oyaide Spades are available as a cost option alternative as are other very specialist terminations on request. Providing we can get access to them we can use any plug type you choose. Most of our Speaker Cables are designed as a single run connection for resistance and impedance but it is possible to terminate some of them in bi-wire, bi-amp or tri-wire format's depending on suitability of the model chosen.

All our Mains Cables are at least fitted as standard with BS Approved 3 Pin UK Mains Plugs and Re-wireable 3 Pin 10Amp IEC Plugs that offer a professional and reliable fit as well as a high quality connection. Also available is the fitting of High Current 3 Pin 16Amp IEC Mains Plugs or 2 Pin 5amp IEC Connectors (figure8) depending on appropriate models. We can also do specialist connections such as 20amp Neutrik or old style 3 Pole connectors for items such as Quad Electrostatics.

Sterling Connections - As a standard fit on most of our mains cables you will now find custom made 'Sterling Connection Plugs.' These are plugs which start life as a High Grade BS/EU Approved Re-Wireable UK/IEC/Schuko plug. We then have Silver and Gold Heat fused mix which is professionally applied in a 6micron thick layer of Plating. The benefit of this is that you gain silver as your conductive plating on the plug which is superior to gold but you also have the tarnishing attributes of gold which is superior to silver! Again we produce a technology offering the best of both. In the UK plugs you will also find a similarly plated 13amp fuse.

Oyaide plugs - Oyaide is a new producer of the Highest Grade re-wireable plugs from Japan. We have chosen to fit Oyaide plugs as standard fit and as optional upgrades to all the higher specification cables we produce and also offer them as retro-fittable upgrades for older cables to further enhance the performance of the products.