AudioQuest Pegasus XLR Interconnect Cable

Advanced ZERO-Tech XLR Interconnect with 72V DBS

The AudioQuest Pegasus XLR Interconnect Cable is a premium balanced analog interconnect designed for high-resolution HiFi systems where preserving dynamics, detail, dimensionality, and low-level musical information is critical.

Pegasus combines some of AudioQuest's most advanced analog cable technologies, including solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors, ZERO-Tech, Level 6 Noise-Dissipation, a Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network, Dual-72V Dielectric-Bias System (DBS), Polypropylene Air-Tube insulation, 6% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires, Copper-Plated RF-Draining barrels, and Hanging-Silver directly over Red-Copper plugs.

Together, these technologies are engineered to reduce distortion and efficiently dissipate radio-frequency noise while minimizing the electrical characteristics of the cable itself.

For serious two-channel systems using balanced connections between high-end DACs, network streamers, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and power amplifiers, Pegasus brings several technologies found in AudioQuest's upper-tier analog cables into one sophisticated XLR interconnect.

Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ Conductors

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

Solid conductors eliminate the electrical and magnetic interaction that can occur between individual strands in conventional stranded cables.

AudioQuest's PSC+ takes conductor quality further through extreme-purity copper and an exceptionally smooth conductor surface. This construction is designed to minimize distortion associated with grain boundaries while maximizing linear RF Noise-Dissipation.

In a highly resolving audio system, preserving the integrity of the analog signal from one component to the next becomes increasingly important. PSC+ provides the foundation for Pegasus' overall design.

ZERO-Tech

A defining technology in Pegasus is AudioQuest ZERO-Tech.

Conventional cables have a characteristic impedance created by the electrostatic relationship between their high and low signal conductors. AudioQuest developed ZERO-Tech to eliminate the electrostatic field between those conductors.

By preventing the cable from having conventional characteristic impedance, ZERO-Tech is designed to eliminate characteristic-impedance mismatch effects between the cable and its connected source and load circuits.

The result is linear, wide-bandwidth Radio-Frequency Noise-Dissipation and uncompressed transient response.

Rather than simply focusing on conductor purity or shielding, ZERO-Tech addresses the fundamental electrical behavior of the cable.

Dual-72V Dielectric-Bias System

One of the most important upgrades from Black Beauty to Pegasus is the addition of AudioQuest's 72V Dielectric-Bias System (DBS).

Insulation surrounding a conductor is also a dielectric. It can absorb energy and behave like a shunt filter, introducing dielectric noise and non-linear behavior into the signal environment.

DBS places a continuous electrostatic field across the cable's insulation, keeping the dielectric polarized.

AudioQuest uses this biasing to minimize dielectric noise and linearize the insulation's behavior, improving the wide-bandwidth dissipation of induced RF noise.

For Pegasus XLR, a Dual-72V DBS pack is used to preserve the complete isolation between signal conductors required by ZERO-Tech.

This combination of ZERO-Tech and DBS represents one of the defining differences between Pegasus and the models below it in AudioQuest's XLR interconnect range.

Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation

Radio-frequency noise is everywhere.

Wi-Fi networks, cellular communications, Bluetooth devices, computers, televisions, switching power supplies, networking equipment, smart-home electronics, and other wireless technologies create an increasingly complex RF environment around an audio system.

Pegasus uses AudioQuest's Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation architecture to reduce the masking effects of this interference.

The system combines:

• ZERO-Tech
• Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network
• Direction-Controlled conductors
• 6% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires
• Dual-72V DBS

Instead of simply blocking noise with conventional shielding, Pegasus is engineered to control how RF energy interacts with and dissipates through the cable.

Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network

Pegasus incorporates AudioQuest's Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network as part of its RF Noise-Dissipation system.

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

These materials are designed to absorb and reflect radio-frequency energy before it reaches the layer connected to ground.

Reducing RF contamination of the system's ground reference helps preserve the extremely small analog signals traveling between components.

Polypropylene Air-Tube Insulation

Pegasus uses Polypropylene Air-Tube insulation around its positive conductors.

Any solid material placed next to a conductor becomes part of the electrical environment surrounding that conductor. Insulation can absorb signal energy, temporarily store it, and subsequently release some of that energy as distortion.

AudioQuest's Air-Tube construction places a high percentage of air around the conductor.

Because air absorbs almost no energy and polypropylene offers a low dielectric constant and low-loss characteristics, this construction minimizes interaction between the conductor and its insulation.

The result is designed to preserve focus, clarity, transient response, and low-level information.

AudioQuest also treats the negative conductors differently, using intentionally lossy insulation appropriate to the negative connection's different electrical role.

6% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires

Pegasus uses Direction-Controlled 6% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires.

These represent a significant upgrade over the 0.5% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires used in Black Beauty.

Because radio-frequency energy travels primarily along the surface of a conductor, applying high-purity silver to the surface of the drain wires provides an efficient path for RF energy.

Combined with the Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network and Direction-Controlled architecture, these drain wires help dissipate induced RF noise away from the signal.

Direction-Controlled Conductors

All internal conductors in Pegasus are Direction-Controlled to reduce RF noise.

The grain structure created during conductor manufacturing is not perfectly symmetrical in both directions. AudioQuest controls the orientation of each conductor to manage variations in RF impedance.

Direction-Controlled signal conductors and drain wires are integrated into the overall Noise-Dissipation system rather than being treated as an isolated cable feature.

Copper-Plated RF-Draining Barrels

Pegasus uses grounded Copper-Plated RF-Draining plug barrels.

A conventional metal connector barrel can capacitively couple RF energy into the conductors inside the cable.

AudioQuest's grounded copper-plated barrels are designed to reduce this effect and maximize Noise-Dissipation through the connector assembly.

It's an important detail because the cable's RF-management strategy extends all the way through its terminations.

Hanging-Silver over Red-Copper Plugs

Pegasus features AudioQuest's premium Hanging-Silver directly over extreme-purity Red-Copper plugs.

Instead of using lower-grade base metals beneath the plating, AudioQuest applies its Hanging-Silver process directly to Red Copper.

This avoids an unnecessary intermediate layer within the signal path and helps maintain the electrical performance of the cable through the connector itself.

Key Features

• Premium balanced XLR-to-XLR analog interconnect
• Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) conductors
• ZERO-Tech
• Dual-72V Dielectric-Bias System (DBS)
• Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation
• Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network
• Polypropylene Air-Tube insulation
• 6% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires
• Direction-Controlled conductors
• Copper-Plated RF-Draining barrels
• Hanging-Silver directly over Red-Copper plugs
• Linear, wide-bandwidth RF Noise-Dissipation
• Designed for uncompressed transient response
• Available as a pair or single cable
• Multiple factory lengths available
• Custom lengths and terminations available
• Made to order at AudioQuest headquarters in Irvine, California

Where to Use AudioQuest Pegasus XLR

The AudioQuest Pegasus XLR is designed for balanced analog connections between high-performance audio components.

Typical 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 music servers and streamers
• Fully balanced preamplifier and power amplifier systems
• High-resolution two-channel HiFi systems

Pegasus is particularly appropriate for systems where the electronics and loudspeakers have sufficient resolution to expose subtle differences in noise, transient response, spatial information, and low-level detail.

AudioQuest Pegasus 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 gives music enthusiasts the opportunity to experience premium loudspeakers, amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, network streamers, turntables, cables, power products, and complete systems together.

The AudioQuest Pegasus XLR Interconnect Cable is designed for exactly the type of high-resolution systems we specialize in.

Rather than selecting an interconnect based solely on price or specifications, our team can help determine how Pegasus fits the electronics and loudspeakers already in your system—or the system you're planning to build.

For customers comparing AudioQuest Black Beauty vs. Pegasus XLR, Pegasus adds several meaningful technologies, most notably the Dual-72V DBS system, Polypropylene Air-Tube insulation, and 6% Silver-Plated RF Drain-Wires.

These differences make Pegasus an important step in the AudioQuest analog interconnect lineup for customers building increasingly revealing high-end audio systems.

Complete AudioQuest Cable Systems at The Grid HiFi

A premium interconnect is only one part of the signal and power chain.

At The Grid HiFi, we can design a complete AudioQuest cable package around your equipment rather than treating each cable purchase independently.

A complete system can incorporate:

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

This allows the cable and power architecture to be considered alongside your source components, amplification, loudspeakers, room, and system goals.

High-End Audio System Design in Houston

The Grid HiFi isn't simply an online source for AudioQuest cables.

We design complete high-performance audio and entertainment systems for customers throughout Houston and the surrounding area.

Our capabilities include:

• High-end two-channel HiFi
• Audiophile listening rooms
• Loudspeaker and amplifier matching
• DAC and network streamer integration
• Turntable and analog audio systems
• AudioQuest cable system design
• AC power and power conditioning
• Dedicated listening rooms
• Home theater
• 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 Pegasus between a DAC and preamplifier or designing an entirely new reference-quality listening room, The Grid HiFi can help make sure every part of the system works 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
Dielectric Bias: Dual-72V Dielectric-Bias System (DBS)
Noise Dissipation: Level 6 Linear Noise-Dissipation
Noise-Dissipation Network: Carbon/Graphene Mesh-Network
RF Drain-Wires: 6% Silver-Plated, Direction-Controlled
Insulation: Polypropylene Air-Tube
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 Pegasus from The Grid HiFi?

At this level of audio system performance, cable selection should be made in the context of the entire system.

At The Grid HiFi in Houston, we can help determine whether Pegasus is the right AudioQuest XLR interconnect for your source components, amplification, loudspeakers, and overall system investment.

We can also help determine where upgrades make the most sense. That may mean using Pegasus at a critical source-to-preamplifier connection, building a complete Pegasus-based analog signal path, or matching different AudioQuest cable levels appropriately throughout the system.

For complete systems, our team can coordinate AudioQuest XLR and RCA interconnects, speaker cables, digital cables, Ethernet, AC power cables, and power conditioning as part of one system design.

Whether you're upgrading a single balanced connection or creating an entirely new high-end listening room, The Grid HiFi provides Houston audiophiles with premium equipment, experienced system design, professional installation, and long-term support.

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