Even with the progress of wireless connectivity, most consumers still require cables for their home audio and home theater systems. Audiophiles love to pick up a brick when the cable topic rears its ugly head and with some cables costing more than the components they are connecting — it’s not hard to understand why some don’t think it is a worthwhile investment.
Spending $4,000 on a single power cord does not make a lot of sense to us but we are also focused on more affordable and mid-tier high-end components and system options where those types of cables make even less sense.
Cable recommendations are also based on experience with specific brands and how robust their products are; many of us have to connect/disconnect products dozens of times and that does take a toll on connectors. One would hope that a cable would be built to last — but a high asking price doesn’t guarantee anything.
Gordon J. Gow Technologies Inc., the parent company of Tributaries and its sister company, Clarus has announced the availability of Series 8 MKII audio cables.
This new cable line features upgraded components that provide reliable, sonically pure performance.
From Joe Perfito, Founder and CEO, Gordon J. Technologies Inc: “Our Series 8 cables are among the most successful in our Tributaries line…But we knew there were ways to improve upon a market favorite…The new Series 8 MK II is typical of our commitment to continually reassess and improve upon even our most successful products. Like our customers, we are music lovers and audiophiles who constantly look for ways to enhance the listening experience. That’s why we are excited to present the Series 8 Mark II.”
The Series 8 MK II cables include several connector upgrades to the original design.
- The Series 8 RCA, XLR, banana plugs, and spade lugs incorporate Gold-plated TE copper. TE copper is highly conductive and the gold plating protects contacts from oxidation and corrosion when exposed to the elements.
- Spade lugs and locking banana plugs are silver-soldered for improved signal transfer compared to the previous version’s screw terminal. The silver solder and a solder pot ensure that each conductor in the multi-gauge cable is doing its part in signal transfer.
- The new Series 8 power cables feature a multi-gauge design that insulates conductors with polyethylene while the smaller cables are coated with enamel to aid flexibility.
- Conductors are electrically joined by way of a solder pot and silver soldered into new gold-plated pure copper termination pins that mate with Series 8 power connectors. This supports optimum signal transfer. The previously surrounding molded PVC housing has been upgraded to a lightweight and more durable nylon housing. Cables feature a decorative woven jacket.
Tip: More on Tributaries Cable Design and Technologies
The new Tributaries Series 8 MK II includes:
8AB Series 8 Balanced Audio Pairs (SRP: $728.00/2m)
- Triple-balanced 20AWG LC-OFC conductors
- Multi-gauge design for superior bass & midrange
- Insulated conductors eliminate strand interaction/distortion
- Dual shielded to lower the noise floor
- Tellurium copper XLR connectors are highly conductive and strong
8A Series 8 Single-Ended RCA Audio Pairs (SRP: $604.00/2m)
- Precision-Twisted Twin-Axial 20AWG LC-OFC conductors
- Multi-gauge design for superior bass & midrange
- Insulated conductors eliminate strand interaction/distortion
- Dual shielded to lower the noise floor
- Gold-plated Tellurium copper RCA connectors
8AD Series 8 Digital Audio Cable (SRP: $230.00/2m)
- 18AWG LC-OFC conductor for superior signal transfer
- 2.5% silver-plated wire provides superior digital performance
- Best dielectric insulator: Skin/Nitrogen injected foam PE/Skin
- Triple shielded to keep noise from entering the signal path
- Gold-plated Tellurium copper RCA connectors
8BW Series 8 Bi-Wire Cable Pair (SRP: $1,150.00/6’)
- Star-Quad design reduces cable inductance and distortion
- Four 14 AWG LC-OFC conductors for best signal transfer
- 3 separate wire gauges for the best bass, midrange, and highs
- Propriety-optimized cable geometry for low noise and distortion
- Unique design by Jay Victor for superior sound quality, exclusively for Tributaries
- Gold-plated Tellurium copper spade lugs and banana plug connectors
8SP Series Speaker Cable Pair (SRP: $930.00/6’)
- Star-Quad design reduces cable inductance and distortion
- Two 11AWG LC-OFC conductors for best signal transfer
- 3 separate wire gauges for the best bass, midrange, and highs
- Propriety-optimized cable geometry for low noise and distortion
- Unique design by Jay Victor for superior sound quality, exclusively from Tributaries
- Gold-plated Tellurium copper spade lugs and banana plug connectors
8S Series 8 Subwoofer Cable (SRP: $304.00/2m)
- Heavy 20AWG LC-OFC conductors
- Sophisticated multi-gauge design for the dynamic bass range
- Insulated conductors eliminate strand interaction/distortion
- Dual shielded to lower the noise floor
- Gold-plated Tellurium copper RCA connectors
8PC Series 8 Phono Cable (SRP: $716.00/2m)
- Precision-Twisted Twin-Axial 20AWG LC-OFC conductors
- Sophisticated multi-gauge design for superior bass & midrange
- Insulated conductors eliminate strand interaction/distortion
- Dual shielded to lower the noise floor
- Gold-plated Tellurium copper RCA connectors
- 14AWG stranded ground wire terminated with gold-plated spade lug
- Grounding spade lug fit 4.0mm or smaller ground posts
8P Series 8 Power Cable — available with C7 and C15 configurations (SRP: $527.00/6’)
- 3-Pole 15Amp Straight IEC > Straight AC power cable
- Large 12AWG LC-OFC wires don’t starve power amps of power
- Multi-gauge geometry design is optimized for low-frequency AC signals of 50/60Hz
- Propriety winding techniques & triple shielding ensure low noise transfer
- PVC dielectrics isolate vibration from alternating current entering the signal path.
- Silver soldered to gold-plated Tellurium (TE) copper termination pins
- Non-magnetic nylon power connectors are both durable and light-weight
Availability
The Tributaries Series 8 Cables can be purchased through Authorized Dealers. Custom lengths are available. Series 8 cables are assembled by hand with foreign and domestic parts in Orlando, Florida.
Related Reading
