Lautus Interconnect Cable

 
Lautus Interconnect Cable

Example: RCA/phono RCA/phono

Better For Bass?

Yes! In our opinion Lautus interconnect cables will make a difference to your bass (keep reading—all will be revealed!).

It's not only a wonderful sounding stereo audio cable - it will also keep interference at bay* and will give you a really well-balanced sound quality. And compared with some interconnects the Lautus is terrific value for money.

Available in stereo "dual-mono" pairs as an RCA to RCA interconnect from 1.5m to 3m in length – a single cable is also offered which is suitable for 75Ω coaxial S/PDIF use. There is also a 1.2m long USB-Audio version, and a "Power-Wire" suitable for the Bitzie USB DAC (click through for details).

Instead of an RCA cable with RCA/Phono plugs at both ends (as pictured above), the Lautus audio-interconnects can be configured with different connectors at source and receiving ends—Examples:

RCA/Phono >> XLR 3-pin Male: to connect a 'single-ended' output stereo preamp to our Proprius power amplifiers
TRS Jack Plug >> RCA/Phono: to connect a Majestic Pre/DAC balanced output to a 'single-ended' input amplifier
XLR 3-pin Female >> RCA/Phono: to connect a balanced stereo output to one of our 'single-ended' input headphone amplifiers

Caution: XLR 3-pin female >> XLR 3-pin male: this choice DOES NOT result in a balanced connection! For balanced please choose the Libran interconnects

For the single version you can choose to add our professional BNC adapters at one or both ends as sometimes required for digital audio or video equipment.

 

Not exactly what you were looking for?
Tell us your exact requirements on this order form and we'll give you a quote.

 

TRS Jack Plug looks like a stereo jack plug and is used for balanced audio on equipment which hasn't the space for an XLR connector.

NB(1). The pattern in the braided jacket may vary between batches.
NB(2). Single-ended means single phase, or in Europe: "asymmetrical".
* because of their shielding

For more information continue reading after the purchasing options below.

Displayed Prices inc. 20% VAT - UK only
VAT removed on exports

Your country may charge you taxes on delivery ...read more


Lautus Stereo "Dual‑Mono" Pairs
From £160

Length

Source End Connectors

Receiving End Connectors

Quantity :


Lautus Single Cable
From £100

Length

Source End Connector

Receiving End Connector

Quantity :


Lautus USB 'A' > USB 'B' 1.2m Cable
Price £96

Quantity :


Lautus "Power-Wire"
Price £110

Quantity :


Built To Order
Usually ships within 2 weeks

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Specification Reviews

So how do they do it?

We must point out that the idea behind the Lautus is pure hypothesis and is yet to be scientifically tested.

EMC legislation highlights the fact that we live in a world of ever-increasing interference.

The interference with our precious audio signals comes from the proliferation of wireless devices.

It also comes from "green-energy" power-supplies which emit and therefore must transmit at least some of their ultra-high frequency distortion. And because legislation demands it, "green energy" devices are everywhere.

Interference can "land" on cables and pass into your equipment where it can mix with the high frequency harmonic distortion all amplifiers and preamps will have to some extent.

Lautus XLR to Phono Interconnect Cable

RCA/phono male XLR

Because of radio we understand that a modulated frequency, when mixed with another frequency, can produce a sound at a frequency we can hear.

For example: an amplifier which isn't effectively immune will sometimes accidentally "tune" to a radio station which you'll hear in the background. Most people will have come across this at some time.

This demonstrates the need for cables to have effective shielding to prevent this happening and the Lautus has that effective shielding (or screening as it is known in some circles).

But the Lautus has more. It uses ferrite filters placed at positions along the cable which were found to give the best subjective results.

And those results were that the bass felt deeper - became clearer - more well defined. Not louder - just more complete.

So what's the theory?

As we said above, all amplifiers and preamps will have some high frequency harmonic distortion, and in addition to that there will always be some instability no matter how well an amp or preamp is designed to avoid it, because no electronic component is perfect - they all have what are known as parasitics.

Lautus USB Cable

USB A USB B

The frequencies output from one type of preamp or another, or a DAC, or any piece of electronics that outputs an analogue signal, or even a digital signal such as S/PDIF or USB, will not be absolutely pure.

All signals have added distortion artefacts and together these are sent in cables. It is current flow and all currents flow in circles. In coaxial cables they go by the signal conductor and return by the shield (or should do if proper cable design practice is followed).

The source is the return (Kirchhoff's current law) so the signal in the cable has its origin or node just behind the socket of the source equipment.

We know that effective shielding prevents outside interference mixing with our signals but the source is also "sending" interference on top of its signal inside the cable.

We'll call it high frequency distortion or harmonics, and when that mixes with the harmonics produced by the receiving equipment (such as an amplifier), by the same "radio effect" as discussed above, false audible frequencies "fall-out" - new noises emerge which aren't any part of the original sound.

Remember this by Keith Armstrong from the Interconnects & Cables category page?

... in-band intermodulation products are inevitable when there are two or more frequencies (which there always are) and any non-linearities (which there always are).

Interestingly, noise with fundamental frequencies that are outside the audio range ... can intermodulate with audio harmonic distortion products that are above the audio range, causing in-band noises to arise.

The thing with intermodulation 'artefacts' is that they are completely alien to the original waveforms, so even small amounts may sound objectionable even though similar amounts of harmonic distortion products might sound acceptably low.

These new noises tend to be at high audible frequencies and often go unnoticed, but upset the top to bottom sound balance and more often than not, the bass suffers - it appears "thin" or overly "tight".

Lautus S/PDIF Interconnect Cable

Single RCA/phono RCA/phono for S/PDIF

The ferrite filters on the Lautus are placed at two measured positions away from the signal origin where theory says the first anti-nodes of wavelengths for frequencies at 100MHz and 200MHz happen, based on the propagation velocity of the cable type being used (the Lautus S/PDIF and USB has only one ferrite).

These anti-nodes will not be the exact anti-nodes for all high frequency harmonics generated in the source equipment, but are the common frequencies of analogue and digital broadcasts, which can easily "travel through" source electronics.

Lower high frequency harmonic waveforms will be rising toward their anti-nodes at the ferrite positions so will have an effect on these too.

The theory says that the ½ turn transformers formed by the ferrites short the send and return frequencies to which the anti-nodes are "tuned" and a short circuit prevents current flow. These positions also become the new origins of the source at those frequencies due to the "shorts" - after which the signal should be much clearer.

We would like to emphasize that all the above is at this time pure theory which has not yet been scientifically tested, and the results the user may find can only be subjective.

Lautus USB Power Wire

Lautus USB Power Wire has an additional length of cable to hook-up to a 5V USB power supply/charger. Lengths: 0.8m from computer A-plug to USB device B-plug; 0.8m from computer A-plug to power supply A-plug. For safety if the A-plugs are connected the wrong way round the cable doesn't work - when it works it's connected right! (power supply shown for illustrative purposes - not included with Lautus USB Power Wire)

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Specification

(the following specification is for the analogue version only. Specifications for the Lautus USB cables yet to be uploaded)

ItemMeasurement
Coax stock cable diameter6.5mm
Sheathed diameter10mm
Inner conductor1mm diameter solid soft annealed copper; DC resistance: 0.026 Ohms per metre
ShieldAnnealed copper braid over 100% copper foil wrap; DC resistance: 0.015 Ohms per metre
JacketPVC
Dielectric5 cell semi air-spaced
Dielectric constant1.49
Velocity ratio0.82 (82%)
Capacitance55pf per metre
Characteristic impedance75 Ohms
Shielding efficiencyBetter than 65dB
Lay-up stereo pairSeparated stereo pair overall flexible PVC braided with welded ends
DirectionMarked as "run of the mill"
Min safe bend diameter150mm (6 in)
Phono terminationsLocking phono (RCA) plugs with gold plated contacts

Specifications subject to alteration without notice in keeping with our continuous improvement policy.

Reviews

[Lautus USB] Impressive response seen in bass like never before. Lows now go very deep, and are full bodied & very accurate when heard on K702. . . The level of details & transparency. The Lautus simply disappears from the chain, simply delivering an extremely clean and very transparent signal to the DAC. Due to this, a lot of power is being saved at volume knob, previously I used listen to my headphones at 12 o’ clock on volume knob, and now I feel same level of loudness is achieved a little earlier. . . Especially Depth & layering have increased. Increment in imaging, & placements across all frequencies when heard on high end headphones. These improvements are at the margin of about 20-30% more when compared to basic or stock cables. . . The Lautus USB cable from Graham Slee is a very well performing and well built cable, which serves its objective of delivering the signals from end-to-end with superior transparency. This cable is a great introduction to the sonic upgrades caused by well performing cables.
- Head-Fi, June 2015

Lautus the best by a not inconsiderable margin... The main recording used was a complex orchestral piece offering a wide range of instrument textures and timbres for comparison and ample opportunity for resolution of micro detail. To my hearing the Lautus offered the best balance of tonal shading and naturalness, combined with a more 3 dimensional presentation of instruments and soundstage. The signature sounds of various instruments seemed more fleshed out and tonally complete. The parts and sub themes of the music more readily discerned and individual instruments more easily identified.
- forum member: tg

I also connected the Lautus USB cable into my old equipment to have a direct comparison with my old cable. O Boy, I had expected a very good cable, but this cable is spectacular. It is almost incredible. And, so you just know, I am comparing it with a well known supposed to be very high end USB cable. The Lautus is an absolute bargain if you ask me for my opinion. I am going to order a second cable.
- forum member: Humboldt

A generic USB cable in place of the Lautus USB throttled the sound. In comparison it had softened dynamics and constricted depth, along with veiled detail. Going direct to the Bitzie with a generic cable would still provide a quality jump over computer sound cards, but the Lautus allowed it to perform at its best, and the Bitzie bundle with the Lautus should be heavily promoted!
- forum member: morris_minor

Bass is much clearer with better texture and depth, voices project with crystal clarity, detail is improved all around, yet with a very natural sound - no harshness at all. Songs that I had struggled to understand the lyrics of suddenly snapped into place - that was quite a surprise. Drums really benefit by 'escaping' the speakers, if you know what I mean - that feeling of being in the presence of musicians is greatly enhanced. I'll be putting them through their paces further over the next couple of weeks, but so far I am very impressed.
- forum member: bronzeage