Acrolink 7N-P4030II (DIY)

  • Price: $61/ft
  • Conductors: 7N Copper, 0.26mm X 100 strands X 2 (red and black); Ground: 4N5 copper 0.26mm X 100 strands X 1 (green)
  • Shield: Copper foil
  • Conductor Resistance: 2.9 mΩ/meter
  • Electrostatic Capacitance: 13pF/meter
  • Maximum current: 50A/VCTF STandard

For me, the main draw of this bulk wire is the 7N (99.99999%) copper. Supplied by Mistubishi Cable Industries, LTD., this is supposedly the only “real” 7N copper available.

Most of the “so called” 6N and 7N materials are not measured comprehensively. 

Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry – an extremely powerful tool for performing ultra-trace elemental analysis has been applied to pure copper used in the Acrolink 7N-P4030 II ac power cable. The results in the accompanying table demonstrate that Acrolink has achieved an unrivalled standard of purity.

Overall, pretty easy to build although not the most flexible of power cords. I’ve used Furutech FI-28(G) connectors on these as well. I would probably swap them out for the FI-50 NCF(R) at a later time.

Sound

The Acrolink is darkish warm – yet balanced. In fact, its timbre sounds more accurate over the previously mentioned Neotech NEP-3200. It’s more transparent and exhibits more textural details (not masked over).

The Neotech NEP-3200 kills the Acrolink in the bass department, however. But, for perspective, the Acrolink has a better bass presence than most of these cables anyway.

Both cables have a similar (darker) tone – which I’m starting to think has to do with the Furutech FI-28(G) connectors. I’ll have to confirm at a later time.

Trade-offs

So everything sounds “right” about the Acrolink – until you take a closer listen. The biggest problem with this cable is delineation and transient clarity. You can’t quite decipher where a sound starts or ends. Bass, however, is tight and controlled but the mids and highs are messy and spread over each other.

Leading edges aren’t crisp but are flat across multiple notes. Rapid strokes or bowing of stringed instruments and things start to get confusing quick. It’s tough to hear individual strings. In comparison, the Neotech NEP-3200, although thick, is still able to resolve these elements with speed and precision.

If you have a more resolving cable following the Acrolink, it may provide better separation, focus, and layering while preserving the good stuff. Otherwise, a great cable for the money – and effort.

vs. Vovox Textura

This cable reminds me of a denser and greyer sounding Vovox Textura power cord. Tonally, there’s a “rightness” to the Acrolink – with the Vovox being slightly truer in color.

The Acrolink is more palpable, smoother, and more melodic due to its thicker, more present sound. Consequently, the Vovox actually sound quite flat in comparison. But in some ways more natural.

Who should buy this cable?
If you value a richer tone with a touch of spice in the highs, the Acrolink cable may work. It has woody grit, texture, and body. I also believe many bass-heads will enjoy this cable.

Tradeoffs
Imaging isn’t laser-focused. Due to its lack of delineation, the outlines aren’t clear and the sound could be a little mushy. The bass region may actually sound (unrealistically) heavy for some. But for hip-hop, organs, and rock, that might actually be a good thing.

It’s definitely not the last word in resolution or transparency.

Notes
Bass heavy, textural, dense, and softer outlines.

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