In 1993, Van den Hul decided to adapt its Linear Structured Carbon (LSC) technology into a balanced version. After the success of The First as an unbalanced coaxial cable, the Dutch manufacturer introduced its symmetrical counterpart, logically named The Second. Three decades later, this cable remains one of the brand’s benchmarks, characterized by the complete absence of metal in its conductors and a design that prioritizes individually insulated carbon fibers.
A conductor without copper or silver
The Second adopts an uncommon approach: its two central conductors contain no metal at all. Van den Hul uses exclusively carbon fibers assembled according to its patented LSC technology. Each conductor groups 12,000 carbon strands measuring 7 micrometers in diameter, and each of these strands is individually insulated.
This fiber-by-fiber insulation is not a cosmetic detail. It prevents parasitic electrical interactions between adjacent conductors and channels the flow of electrons in a single direction. The two conductors are then wrapped in polyethylene foam, one white and the other brown, to distinguish them visually during wiring.
Moisture protection and quadruple shielding
Van den Hul has integrated treated filler fibers between the conductors and the shielding. These artificial fibers form a barrier against ambient moisture, which helps maintain stable electrical capacitance over time (68 pF/m). The low capacitance and 3.6 Ω/m resistance help preserve signal integrity over long distances.
The shielding deserves special attention. It consists of four distinct layers: two groups of silver-plated OFC (oxygen-free) copper strands, wound helically at different angles, and two intermediate layers saturated with LSC. This hybrid construction combines the conductivity of metal for shielding with the properties of carbon for attenuating external interference.
The outer jacket is made of Hulliflex, a material developed by Van den Hul that contains no halogens. In the event of combustion, it does not release hydrochloric acid or dioxins, a choice the manufacturer has promoted since 1990 for environmental reasons.
Professional and home use
Van den Hul uses The Second for its own recording sessions, under the Carbon Recordings series. The manufacturer has produced lengths reaching 25 meters for studio microphone cabling applications. This ability to operate over long distances without noticeable signal degradation illustrates the low capacitance and shielding effectiveness.
In a home setup, the XLR version terminates the cable with gold-plated Neutrik connectors. The 75 Ω impedance also allows use in an AES-EBU digital connection, although Van den Hul advises against long lengths in this specific context.
Assembly reserved for the manufacturer
The Second is not sold by the meter for DIY wiring. The reason is technical: properly connecting 24,000 individual fibers (12,000 per conductor) to XLR connectors requires specific expertise and tooling. Van den Hul therefore assembles each cable at the factory, which explains why it is available only in predefined lengths.
The 7.3 mm outer diameter offers good handling without excessive stiffness. The light brown Hulliflex jacket remains flexible even after several years of use.
A cable that does not age like copper
The absence of metal in the conductors has a consequence that is often overlooked: no signal oxidation. Copper or silver conductors are subject to gradual surface degradation, even when protected. LSC carbon fibers do not exhibit this phenomenon, giving the cable long-term performance stability that Van den Hul has highlighted since the product’s inception.
User reviews
Gilles
Very neutral cable, nuances and harmonics are well transmitted between my preamp and my power amp (ROTEL for both). The cable is well finished, and not too stiff, which makes it easy to bend if necessary. I recommend it.
Comment from December 08, 2025 — Experience from November 27, 2025
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Câble très neutre, les nuances et harmoniques sont bien transmises entre mon pré-ampli et mon ampli de puissance (ROTEL pour les 2). Le câble est bien fini, et pas trop rigide ce qui permet de le courber facilement si nécessaire. je recommande.
Laurent
Nothing to report, a neutral cable, quality, lives up to its reputation.
Comment from July 21, 2025
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
RAS, un câble neutre, de qualité, qui mérite sa réputation.
Jean-Michel
Quite disappointed with these cables on my system. Dull, flavorless sound compared to other cheaper cables I own. Due to the lack of burn-in? Maybe. Since then, I’ve found much better, at a higher price of course :), from a French manufacturer of Hi-Fi cables.
Comment from March 18, 2025 — Experience from January 06, 2025
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Assez déçu par ces câbles sur mon système. Son terne sans saveur par rapport à d'autres câbles moins chers en ma possession. Lié à l'absence de rodage? Peut-être. J'ai depuis trouvé beaucoup mieux, à un tarif plus élevé bien sûr :), chez un fabricant Français de câbles Hifi.
