THE CHALLENGE:

Alternating current (AC) is a far from perfect power source. AC power technology is over a century old and was never designed to meet the exacting standards of today's high-resolution audio and video components. AC noise is present at the utility source, and is then exacerbated by radio frequency noise that is induced (received by the AC power cord) and coupled to component power supplies and circuit ground . This creates distortion and low signal loss through the "masking effect". What's more, Power amplifiers can require huge reserves of transient current for their power supplies to react and then stabilize during dynamic audio passages. Most AC power cords and power generator-regulators, while useful to some extent, are simply not up to the task.

Power amplifiers present a real challenge for any AC power source, as transient current requirements (albeit short in duration) can be many times higher than average current draw (RMS). Power amplifiers are also unique from all other components in that the current draw is dynamic, not constant, and changes with the volume and content of the audio signal. Although many AC power cables can have low DC resistance to accommodate part of this requirement, the characteristic impedance of the AC cable is equally responsible for ensuring uncompromising performance. Many premium AC cables restrict or compress the audio transient as their characteristic impedance restricts the transient current.

THE SOLUTION:

High-Purity Conductors: A carefully finished combination of high-purity long-grain copper (LGC) and high-purity perfect surface copper (PSC) solid conductors prevents interaction between the filaments, a major source of transient distortion intermodulation that fatigue the ear. LGC enables smoother and clearer sound than standard OFHC (oxygen-free, high-conductivity) copper.

Surprisingly smooth and pure Perfect-Surface Copper further eliminates harshness and vastly increases clarity compared to OFHC, OCC, 8N and other premium copper.

High Current Transfer Without Compression: With a current capacity of 20 amps RMS @ 125VAC 50 / 60Hz (16 amps RMS @ 220-240VA 50 / 60Hz), Thunder / High Current can withstand current transients many times higher than its continuous RMS rating (average). This makes Thunder / High-Current ideal for a wide range of AC power conditioners, power regenerators, AC isolation transformers, and AC battery backup devices, as well as any power amplifier, powered subwoofer, powered speaker, receiver. powered or built-in amplifier.

Ground-to-Ground Noise Dissipation Technology: AC ground wires provide protection against power wiring faults, but also act as antennas. Therefore, they are subject to induced radio frequency (RF) noise. This RF noise bypasses component power supplies and is typically coupled directly to the more sensitive video and audio circuitry in the system. AudioQuest's patented Ground-Noise Dissipation technology greatly reduces this distortion, producing unprecedented levels of noise dissipation in the widest possible radio frequency bandwidth (range). Our unique circuit topology uses a common mode phase suppression matrix, along with proprietary dielectric materials that provide additional differential linear filtering.

Dielectric Diaphragm System (DBS; US Pat # 7,126,055): By creating a constant dielectric field for the cable's dielectric or primary capacitance field, DBS ensures extended bandwidth and more uniform filtered noise dissipation, eliminating distortions and the buzzer affecting other cables even after years of use and the so-called "input lag". Furthermore, DBS ensures that the RF noise dissipation system works as linearly as possible.

Controlled for Correct Directionality: All drawn metallic wires or conductors have a non-symmetrical, and therefore directional, grain structure. AudioQuest controls the resulting RF impedance variation so that noise is drained away from where it will cause distortion.

Features:

Long Grain Solid Copper (LGC) / Perfect Surface Copper (PSC) conductors.

High current transfer without compression.

Ground Noise Dissipation Technology (US Patent # 9,373,439).

Zero characteristic impedance (50Hz - 1MHz).

72VDC Dielectric Bias System (US Patent # 7,126,055).

Directionally controlled drivers.