AudioQuest Chicago RCA > RCA

The AudioQuest Chicago is a mid-range analog interconnect cable (RCA to RCA) designed for home audio systems. It sits within the "Rivers" series, serving as a step up from their entry-level "Bridges & Falls" series (like the Evergreen or Golden Gate).

Key Technical Features

AudioQuest uses several proprietary technologies in the Chicago to minimize distortion and noise.

• Solid Long-Grain Copper (LGC): Unlike standard cables that use stranded copper (where strands can interact and cause distortion), the Chicago uses solid LGC. This material has fewer impurities and grain boundaries, resulting in a smoother, clearer sound.
• Double-Balanced Geometry: Most budget cables use the same path for the shield and the ground. The Chicago separates these two, ensuring the shield never carries the audio signal, which leads to a quieter background.
• Metal-Layer Noise-Dissipation System (NDS): This technology "shields the shield." It absorbs and reflects radio-frequency interference (RFI) before it can reach the ground plane of your equipment.
• Nitrogen-Injected Hard-Cell Foam Insulation: The insulation uses air pockets (nitrogen) because air absorbs almost no energy. This prevents the "out-of-phase" energy release that often occurs with standard plastic insulation.
• Cold-Welded Gold-Plated Plugs: The connectors are joined to the wire using high pressure rather than solder. Since solder is a common source of distortion, this "cold-weld" process preserves signal purity.