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GRANITE AUDIO is a system concept.
A system with true synergy.
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Model 429
Subwoofer Interconnect Cable
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MODEL #429 SUBWOOFER INTERCONNECT
FOR DIGITAL OR ANALOG SUBS
MSRP $400.00 for 25 feet. Custom lengths available.
This Micro-75 Series high-performance subwoofer cable has both 100% Bonded Foil and 96% Braid Shielding for the ultimate in Low-Frequency subwoofer performance, even in the longer lengths required in modern custom home theater systems.
The #429 meets SMPTE 259M Broadcast Digital Standards (SDI) and can deliver 355Mb/s quality signals up to 655 feet, with <0.04dB/meter attenuation @ 10MHz. Signal conductor is 23AWG ultra-pure copper. Characteristic impedance is 75 ohms, +1.6 ohms, and the new #429 cable is available with one-piece 75 ohm RCA, BNC, or F connectors with an impressive High Return Loss of >45dB @ 10MHz.
The #429 delivers all the slam and solid bass
that your subwoofer can offer.
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MODEL #429 REVIEW
BY BRETT RUDOLPH in DVDetc. Magazine.
Granite Audio Model 429 Subwoofer Interconnect, Rating 95.
Granite Audio is a company specializing in high performance audio equipment. However, to ensure the performance of their equipment, they decided to create a line of audio and video cables. As luck would have it, I came across these cables when listening to a good friend's new system and the company was kind enough to send me samples for review. Subwoofer cables are something of an interesting topic because you could really use just about any analogue interconnect. However, that really doesn't mean that it will sound good. With this in mind, the Model 429 was designed specifically for subwoofers.
The cable itself is handcrafted and very well made. On music, the cable was able convey the low level detail that meant the difference between a symphony sounding like you were there live, and one that wasn't. In fact, the bass performance of my subwoofer was definitely better, and made the music sound far better and realistic. If the cable made a difference on music, it was nothing compared to what it did for movies. I have long had issues with the cables people use for subwoofers rendering the booms and bangs mere shadows of themselves. Luckily this cable had no such problem. In fact, it is one of the few I have used in my reference system that allowed the true majesty in Lord of the Rings to be heard, even at its lowest levels.
In short, this is definitely a cable worth giving an audition. The difference it makes depends on the level of bass in the material you are using, but the more you use it, the more you will find you don't want to live without it. Luckily while it isn't inexpensive, it won't take a bank loan to purchase either. Rating - 95
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Photo showing Micro-75 cable under test on a $35,000.00 Tektronix
TDR Time Domain Reflectometer.
Note the nice flat trace
on the 75 ohm line.
Click this link to
view a larger photo
of the TDR screen.
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Photo showing Brand X
cable under test.
Note the wavy line that is no where near the 75 ohm line. This cable will have extreme reflections and signal loss. Also note how jagged the line is between the 50 ohm Reference Line and the start of the cable under test. This is a good example of Reflections. This section of the trace is jagged because of all the reflections coming backwards from the cable under test being no where near 75 ohm impedance. These Reflections also reflect forward into the next component.
You will note the Micro-75 cable does not have these reflections and this part of the trace is much smoother on the Micro-75 cable.
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TRUE 75 OHM CHARACTERISTIC IMPEDANCE.
Each finished Micro-75 cable is tested, from tip-to-tip including the terminations, on a $35,000.00 Tektronix TDR Time Domain Reflectometer with an 11 GHz pulse and certified to a bandwidth of 3.01 GHz. Then a photo is taken of the TDR screen showing the cable under test, and printed out, and shipped with the cable to show that the cable is truly 75 ohms from tip-to-tip including the terminations. The photo will also show the cable's serial number, model number, length, date of test, and the testing engineer's signature. And this is all done in-house at the Granite Audio Factory to insure the best possible quality control of this world renowned video-digital cable.
The photo above shows a Micro-75 cable under test. The cable is being tested at 50mv at 2 nanoseconds and you can see this info on the screen. At the left of the screen you will see the impedance lines. The line marked "50 ohm REF" is the part of the test loop that consists of the Precision 50 ohm cable built into the TDR. The cable under test is compared by the TDR to this Reference cable. Then the portion of the signal trace that is between the 50 ohm reference cable and the cable under test is a jagged line that represents the cable adapters to mate the TDR's special pulse head connectors to the RCA, BNC, or F connectors of the Micro-75 cable. The trace for the cable under test begins at the bold vertical line and goes to the right side of the photo. A quality 75 ohm cable will have this portion of the trace exactly centered on the 75 ohm line and be very flat within +- 1.6 ohms for the entire length of the cable including the tips.
If there are any flaws in the cable or if the manufacturer uses cheap 50 ohm connectors, there will be a peak or a dip in the signal trace. In the case of a cheap 50 ohm connector, the first part of the trace will start on the 50 ohm impedance line for the length of the connector, then climb up to the 75 ohm line where the trace is representing the cable. And this variation
in impedance from true 75 ohms will cause reflections or echoes in the cable. Each deviation will cause reflections and the reflections are added to previous reflections. If you have enough reflections and enough serious deviations, your signal will be seriously compromised and can even be lost completely.
Part of the great performance of the Micro-75 digital cables is their exact tolerance to a true 75 ohm characteristic impedance. This means the entire signal is cleanly passed through the entire cable length with the absolute minimum of reflections and echoes. Then add in the superior double shielding, quality one-piece construction RCA plugs, quality hand termination, and mil-spec heat shrink; and you simply have the best digital cable on the planet.
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Granite Audio - Vacuum tube amps, preamps, speaker cables, AC power cords, CD players, granite speakers, amplifiers, tubes, silver interconnect cables, stereo.
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