AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR Interconnect Cable

ZERO-Tech Performance for High-End Balanced Audio Systems

The AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR Interconnect Cable represents a major step forward in AudioQuest's balanced analog interconnect lineup, bringing technologies developed for the company's higher-performance cable designs into a sophisticated XLR interconnect for serious HiFi systems.

Black Beauty combines solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors, ZERO-Tech, Level 6 Noise-Dissipation, a Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network, 0.5% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires, Foamed-Polyethylene insulation, Copper-Plated RF-Draining plug barrels, and Hanging-Silver directly over Red-Copper plugs.

Rather than simply adding more shielding, Black Beauty is engineered around controlling radio-frequency noise while minimizing electrical characteristics within the cable that can interfere with transient response and signal integrity.

For high-resolution systems using balanced connections between premium DACs, streamers, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and power amplifiers, Black Beauty moves AudioQuest XLR performance into significantly more sophisticated territory.

Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ Conductors

Black Beauty uses solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors, AudioQuest's highest-grade copper conductor material.

Conventional stranded conductors can introduce electrical and magnetic interaction between individual strands. AudioQuest's solid-conductor approach eliminates strand interaction altogether.

PSC+ further improves the conductor through extremely pure copper and an exceptionally smooth surface. AudioQuest uses this construction to minimize distortion associated with grain boundaries while supporting more linear RF Noise-Dissipation.

In a revealing high-end audio system, preserving the integrity of the analog signal between components becomes increasingly important. Black Beauty starts with PSC+ as the foundation of that signal path.

ZERO-Tech

One of the defining technologies of AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR is ZERO-Tech.

Every conventional cable has electrical characteristics created by the relationship between its conductors. AudioQuest designed ZERO-Tech to eliminate the electrostatic field between the cable's high and low signal conductors.

The objective is to prevent the cable from having a conventional characteristic impedance.

Why does that matter?

AudioQuest's approach is designed to avoid characteristic-impedance mismatch effects between the cable and the source and load circuits connected to it.

By eliminating this electrostatic field, ZERO-Tech is engineered to provide linear, wide-bandwidth Radio-Frequency Noise-Dissipation while allowing transients to pass without compression.

For Black Beauty, ZERO-Tech represents one of the most important technological advances over AudioQuest's more conventional balanced analog interconnect designs.

Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation

Today's audio system exists in an environment saturated with radio-frequency energy.

Cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellites, switching power supplies, computers, televisions, networking equipment, smart-home devices, and countless other electronics contribute RF noise to the environment around an audio system.

Black Beauty employs AudioQuest's Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation to address this increasingly important source of interference.

The system combines:

• ZERO-Tech
• Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network
• Direction-Controlled conductors
• 0.5% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires

Working together, these technologies are designed to significantly reduce RF noise and the masking effects it can create within a high-resolution audio system.

Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network

Black Beauty's Noise-Dissipation system incorporates a sophisticated Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network.

Alternating layers of graphene, carbon-loaded synthetic materials, and metal effectively help "shield the shield."

Rather than allowing RF energy to reach the ground-connected shielding layer, these materials are designed to absorb and reflect high-frequency noise before it can enter the system's ground reference.

The result is a more comprehensive approach to noise management than conventional shielding alone.

0.5% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires

Black Beauty also incorporates 0.5% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires as part of its Level 6 Noise-Dissipation architecture.

These drain wires work alongside the Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network and Direction-Controlled conductors to provide an intentional path for RF energy.

Rather than treating grounding as simply another conductor within the cable, AudioQuest engineers the entire noise-management system around controlling how high-frequency interference is dissipated.

Foamed-Polyethylene Insulation

The material surrounding a conductor can influence the signal traveling through it.

Any solid insulation adjacent to a conductor can absorb energy, temporarily store it, and subsequently release some of that energy back into the circuit as distortion.

Black Beauty uses Foamed-Polyethylene insulation with a high percentage of air.

Air absorbs almost no energy, while polyethylene has a low-loss and relatively benign distortion profile. Increasing the amount of air surrounding the conductors therefore reduces the amount of energy absorbed by the insulation.

The goal is greater clarity, focus, and preservation of low-level information.

Direction-Controlled Conductors

All internal conductors in Black Beauty are Direction-Controlled as part of AudioQuest's RF Noise-Dissipation strategy.

Metal conductors have a grain structure created during manufacturing. This structure is not perfectly symmetrical in either direction.

AudioQuest controls conductor orientation to manage the resulting variation in RF impedance and direct induced radio-frequency noise along the intended path.

Directionality in Black Beauty is therefore part of its overall noise-management architecture rather than simply an installation preference.

Copper-Plated RF-Draining Plug Barrels

Even the connector housing can affect RF behavior.

Black Beauty uses grounded Copper-Plated RF-Draining plug barrels designed to maximize Noise-Dissipation.

The copper-plated construction helps prevent the metal connector barrel from capacitively coupling radio-frequency energy into the internal conductors.

It's another example of Black Beauty's system-wide approach to controlling RF noise—from the conductors themselves all the way through the terminations.

Hanging-Silver over Red-Copper Plugs

Black Beauty uses AudioQuest's premium Hanging-Silver directly over Red-Copper plugs.

Rather than using lower-grade connector metals beneath the plating, AudioQuest applies its Hanging-Silver process directly over extreme-purity Red Copper.

The objective is to maintain a high-quality conductive path through the connector itself and preserve signal integrity at one of the most critical interfaces in the cable.

Key Features

• High-performance balanced XLR-to-XLR analog interconnect
• Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors
• ZERO-Tech
• Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation
• Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network
• 0.5% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires
• Direction-Controlled conductors
• Foamed-Polyethylene insulation
• Copper-Plated RF-Draining plug barrels
• Hanging-Silver directly over Red-Copper plugs
• Designed for linear wide-bandwidth RF Noise-Dissipation
• Designed to preserve transient response
• Available as a pair or single cable
• Multiple factory lengths
• Custom lengths and terminations available
• Made to order at AudioQuest headquarters in Irvine, California

Where to Use AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR

The AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR is designed for balanced analog connections in high-resolution audio systems.

Common applications include:

• DAC to preamplifier
• DAC to integrated amplifier
• Network streamer to preamplifier
• Network streamer to integrated amplifier
• Preamplifier to power amplifier
• Phono preamplifier to line preamplifier
• High-end CD or SACD player to preamplifier
• Balanced analog source to integrated amplifier
• Reference-quality source components
• Fully balanced preamp and power amplifier combinations
• High-performance two-channel HiFi systems

Black Beauty becomes particularly relevant as the quality and resolution of the system increases.

With premium electronics and revealing loudspeakers, the interconnect is carrying an extremely low-level analog signal between components. Black Beauty's ZERO-Tech and Level 6 Noise-Dissipation are specifically designed to address the electrical and RF environment surrounding that signal.

AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR at The Grid HiFi in Houston

The Grid HiFi is Houston's destination for high-end audio, two-channel HiFi, home theater, and professionally designed entertainment systems.

Our Houston showroom brings together many of the world's leading high-performance audio brands, giving customers the opportunity to experience loudspeakers, amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, network streamers, turntables, cables, power products, and complete systems in one environment.

The AudioQuest Black Beauty XLR Interconnect Cable is exactly the type of product that benefits from being considered within the context of the complete system.

Our team can help determine whether Black Beauty's combination of PSC+ conductors, ZERO-Tech and Level 6 Noise-Dissipation is appropriate for your electronics and loudspeakers—or whether another AudioQuest interconnect represents a better match.

Build the Entire Signal Chain with The Grid HiFi

A high-end audio system is ultimately a chain.

The source, DAC, preamplifier, power amplifier, loudspeakers, interconnects, speaker cables, AC power, network, room, and system setup all contribute to the final result.

At The Grid HiFi in Houston, we approach AudioQuest cables as part of that complete system.

Our team can design an AudioQuest cable package incorporating:

• XLR balanced interconnects
• RCA analog interconnects
• Speaker cables
• Digital coaxial cables
• AES/EBU digital cables
• USB cables
• Ethernet cables
• HDMI cables
• AC power cables
• Power conditioning and surge protection

This allows cable selection to be matched intelligently to the equipment rather than simply choosing each cable independently.

High-End Audio and Home Theater Design in Houston

The Grid HiFi goes well beyond selling individual HiFi components and cables.

We design and integrate complete entertainment systems for customers throughout the Houston area, from dedicated two-channel listening rooms to sophisticated whole-home systems and private cinemas.

Our capabilities include:

• High-end two-channel HiFi
• Audiophile listening rooms
• Loudspeaker and amplifier matching
• DAC and network streamer integration
• Turntable and analog systems
• AudioQuest cable system design
• AC power and power conditioning
• Dedicated listening rooms
• Home theater systems
• Private cinema design
• Architectural audio and video
• Whole-home audio and video
• Smart-home automation
• Lighting control
• Motorized shades
• Networking and low-voltage infrastructure
• Professional system design
• Professional installation
• System calibration
• Long-term service and support

Whether you're adding a single Black Beauty XLR to an existing system or designing a complete high-end listening room, The Grid HiFi can help create a system in which every component is selected to work together.

Specifications

Cable Type: Balanced Analog Audio Interconnect
Connector Configuration: 1 x Female XLR to 1 x Male XLR
Conductor Material: Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+)
Technology: ZERO-Tech
Noise Dissipation: Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation
Noise-Dissipation Network: Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network
RF Drain-Wires: 0.5% Silver-Plated
Insulation: Foamed-Polyethylene
Conductor Directionality: Direction-Controlled
Plug Barrels: Copper-Plated RF-Draining
Plug Material: Hanging-Silver Directly Over Red Copper
Configuration: Pair or Single
Application: Balanced Analog Audio
Manufacturing: Made to order at AudioQuest headquarters in Irvine, California

Available Lengths:

0.6m / 1 ft 11 in
1m / 3 ft 3 in
1.5m / 4 ft 11 in
2m / 6 ft 6 in
3m / 9 ft 10 in
4m / 13 ft 1 in
5m / 16 ft 5 in
6m / 19 ft 8 in

Custom lengths and terminations are also available.

Why Buy AudioQuest from The Grid HiFi?

When you're investing in a high-performance audio system, choosing the correct cable is about matching the cable to the equipment, system architecture, and level of resolution you're working with.

At The Grid HiFi in Houston, we can help determine where Black Beauty belongs within your system and how it compares with other AudioQuest XLR interconnects.

We can also help create a complete AudioQuest cable and power solution so your XLR interconnects, RCA interconnects, speaker cables, digital connections, Ethernet, AC power cables, and power conditioning are considered together.

Whether you're upgrading the balanced connection between two components or designing an entirely new reference-quality listening room, The Grid HiFi provides Houston audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts with premium equipment, expert system design, professional installation, and ongoing support.

Visit The Grid HiFi in Houston, Texas, or contact our team for help selecting the right AudioQuest interconnects and cables for your system.