A modern audio system now consists of much more than an amplifier and a pair of loudspeakers. Streamers, DACs, televisions, active subwoofers, computers, network players and portable music players all require their own connections. With the completely renewed QED PERFORMANCE cable range, QED brings these applications together within one clearly structured cable family. The new range consists of thirteen different connection types covering analogue audio, digital audio, loudspeakers, network connections and USB audio. This makes PERFORMANCE an exceptionally complete solution for music enthusiasts who want to connect an entire system with cables from one consistent family. The new generation combines decades of QED engineering experience with a contemporary appearance, modern connectivity and materials selected for reliable signal transmission.

A completely new appearance with proven QED engineering

QED has not only renewed the PERFORMANCE range technically, but has also given it a distinctive new visual identity. Most cables now use a softer and more flexible TPE outer jacket, making them easier to route behind equipment, furniture and audio racks. New silver grey connectors also give the whole range a modern and recognisable appearance. QED uses 99.999 percent oxygen free copper conductors in many of the models. Analogue connections also use gold plated contacts, while the USB models feature nickel plated connectors. According to QED, this new design language also establishes the visual direction for future generations of its Reference and Signature ranges. The result is a product family that is easy to recognise while providing a clear path through the different levels of the QED cable portfolio.

QED PERFORMANCE Speaker Cable and Bi Wire Links

The connection between amplifier and loudspeakers remains the foundation of many stereo systems. For this essential task QED introduces the new PERFORMANCE Speaker Cable. It uses conductors with a cross sectional area of 2.5 mm² together with 99.999 percent oxygen free copper to keep electrical resistance low. QED also applies its X Tube Plus technology, which is designed to promote a more even distribution of current throughout the conductor across the audio frequency range. Factory terminated versions can use QED Airloc connectors for a secure long term connection. Loudspeakers equipped with separate terminals for different frequency sections can also be combined with the QED PERFORMANCE Bi Wire Links. These allow the standard metal terminal bridges on suitable loudspeakers to be replaced with a cable connection from the same PERFORMANCE family.

QED PERFORMANCE Audio, Subwoofer, J2J and J2P

The new PERFORMANCE family provides several solutions for analogue audio connections. QED PERFORMANCE Audio is the traditional stereo RCA interconnect for connecting equipment such as a CD player, DAC, streamer or other source component to an amplifier. QED uses technologies including Solid Complementary Conductor Technology, oxygen free copper, shielding and Ferrite Insulation Technology to protect the analogue signal from unwanted interference. PERFORMANCE Subwoofer is specifically designed to connect an amplifier or AV receiver to an active subwoofer. Equipment with a 3.5 mm connection can use PERFORMANCE J2J or PERFORMANCE J2P. J2J connects two devices equipped with 3.5 mm stereo sockets, while J2P connects a 3.5 mm output to a pair of RCA inputs. This means portable and compact equipment can still be integrated easily into a full audio system.

QED PERFORMANCE Digital Audio and Optical

QED also provides two dedicated options for digital audio sources within the PERFORMANCE family. QED PERFORMANCE Digital Audio is intended for electrical digital SPDIF connections between equipment such as a CD transport, network player or other digital source and a DAC, amplifier or AV receiver. It uses a coaxial construction with a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms, together with shielding and low loss dielectric materials. QED PERFORMANCE Optical is designed for equipment fitted with Toslink connections. It uses low loss PMMA optical fibre together with precision finished Toslink connectors and supports audio signals up to 24 bit and 192 kHz. Users can therefore choose between electrical and optical digital transmission while remaining within the same PERFORMANCE cable family, depending on the connections offered by their equipment.

QED PERFORMANCE Ethernet for streaming audio

Music streaming has become an increasingly important part of modern audio systems, which gives PERFORMANCE Ethernet a significant role within the renewed range. This network cable conforms to the CAT 6 FTP specification and uses 99.999 percent oxygen free copper conductors. QED employs controlled asymmetric twist rates together with an internal HDPE construction to reduce crosstalk and timing differences between conductor pairs. Shielded RJ45 connectors with gold plated contacts provide a secure and reliable network connection. PERFORMANCE Ethernet can be used between a music streamer and a router, network switch, music server or other network component. QED specifies support for demanding high resolution audio streaming applications up to DSD1024, making the cable particularly suitable for modern network based music systems.

Four new QED PERFORMANCE USB cables

One of the most important additions to the renewed PERFORMANCE range is a group of four different USB cables. QED PERFORMANCE USB A(M) to B(M) provides the traditional connection between equipment such as a computer and a DAC with a USB B input. PERFORMANCE USB A(M) to C(M) connects equipment with a conventional USB A connection to newer equipment using USB C. PERFORMANCE USB C(M) to C(M) provides a fully modern USB C connection between compatible devices. Finally, PERFORMANCE USB C(M) to B(M) allows a modern computer, tablet or other source device to connect directly to a DAC that continues to use a USB B input. The new USB cables also carry independent USB IF compliance certification, providing solutions for both established and current generations of digital audio equipment.

All thirteen QED PERFORMANCE connection types in one family

The complete renewed family therefore consists of:

• QED PERFORMANCE Speaker Cable
• QED PERFORMANCE Bi Wire Links
• QED PERFORMANCE Audio RCA Interconnect
• QED PERFORMANCE Subwoofer
• QED PERFORMANCE J2J
• QED PERFORMANCE J2P
• QED PERFORMANCE Digital Audio
• QED PERFORMANCE Optical
• QED PERFORMANCE Ethernet
• QED PERFORMANCE USB A(M) to B(M)
• QED PERFORMANCE USB A(M) to C(M)
• QED PERFORMANCE USB C(M) to C(M)
• QED PERFORMANCE USB C(M) to B(M)

The advantage of such a broad range is that almost every important connection within a modern stereo, streaming or AV system can be made using cables from the same family. Within the QED portfolio, PERFORMANCE sits above Connect and below Reference and Signature, making it the central range for customers who want to pay serious attention to system connectivity.

Why the new QED PERFORMANCE range is so interesting

Perhaps the greatest strength of the new PERFORMANCE generation is the consistency of the complete range. Building an audio system no longer requires selecting a completely different cable family for every type of connection. From loudspeaker cable and analogue RCA connections to subwoofer, Toslink, SPDIF, Ethernet and several different USB configurations, QED provides a suitable solution within PERFORMANCE. At the same time, each cable is engineered specifically for the type of signal it must carry rather than applying one construction to every application. This makes the new range suitable both for a completely new audio system and for gradually upgrading an existing installation. At Hi Stands you can find the new QED PERFORMANCE cables for a wide variety of applications and we are happy to help you select the correct connection and cable length for your equipment.