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AudioQuest’s Evergreen RCA cable uses asymmetrical double-balanced geometry and solid long-grain copper (LGC) conductors. It’s part of the Bridges & Falls series, named after the Evergreen bridge connecting Seattle to Bellevue. The cable features cold-welded connectors and a metal-layer noise dissipation system. Its outer jacket is a black-and-green braid for quick visual identification.
The Evergreen cable uses solid long-grain copper (LGC) conductors. Unlike multi-strand conductors, where each strand can generate electrical interactions, a solid conductor avoids this effect. LGC copper has an elongated crystalline structure that reduces the number of grain boundaries, areas where conduction can be locally disrupted. By comparison, standard OFHC (Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity) copper has shorter grains, multiplying these interfaces.
The insulation is foamed polyethylene, a material containing a high proportion of micro air bubbles distributed throughout the polymer mass. Because air has a low dielectric constant, this structure limits losses and energy storage compared with solid polyethylene. This helps reduce phase shift effects introduced by the absorption and delayed release of electromagnetic energy in the dielectric.
The cable adopts an asymmetrical double-balanced geometry. Unlike conventional unbalanced cables where ground and shield share the same conductor, the Evergreen separates the return conductor from the shield. This separation reduces the shield’s influence on the signal path and helps limit the pickup of electromagnetic interference.
Unlike traditional soldering, which uses heat and a tin-lead or silver solder alloy as filler, the “cold-weld” method used by AudioQuest relies on the application of high mechanical pressure and electrical energy. This operation creates a direct bond between the copper conductor and the gold-plated RCA plug without interposing a solder alloy.
With conventional soldering, the joint puts two dissimilar metals in contact, introducing a transition zone with electrical properties different from copper. Cold welding, by contrast, relies on plastic deformation of the metal to promote a continuous metallurgical contact between the conductor and the plug. The ground shells of the RCA connectors are formed by stamping, allowing the use of metals chosen for their electrical or mechanical characteristics rather than their machinability.
The Evergreen cable incorporates a metal-layer noise dissipation system designed to reduce the influence of radio-frequency (RF) interference. With the growing presence of wireless devices, switching power supplies, and variable-speed drives, signal conductors can be exposed to a dense domestic electromagnetic spectrum. The metal layer acts by absorbing and reflecting interference before it reaches the conductors.
The shield is asymmetrically designed and connected to ground only on the source side. This configuration creates a one-way drain path for interference, limiting ground loops between components. The cables are marked with an arrow indicating the recommended signal direction, corresponding to this shield orientation.
The Evergreen cable is designed for systems where signal fidelity is paramount. It is often used to connect turntables to a phono preamplifier, where lowering background noise can be especially beneficial for low-level signals. It can also be used between a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and an amplifier, helping preserve detail and precision in soundstage layering.
The Evergreen’s RCA plugs are grouped within a single jacket, with a maximum spacing of about 7.6 cm. This layout may require adjustment on some equipment with more widely spaced inputs. It results from combining both channels in a single jacket, a compromise aimed at optimizing electrical performance while controlling manufacturing costs.
The cable is available in several standard lengths, from 0.6 m to 20 m. Shorter lengths exhibit lower total capacitance and series resistance. Lengths up to 3 m maintain performance suitable for most home systems. Beyond 5 m, the cable’s characteristic impedance becomes a factor to consider, especially with sources having a high output impedance.
Generic cables typically use multi-strand conductors in copper of variable quality with basic PVC insulation. The Evergreen delivers a notable reduction in sonic haze, better separation of instruments in the stereo image, and more faithfully preserved dynamics, especially on fast transients. The difference is mostly heard in what disappears: grain in the treble, muddiness in the bass, compression of the soundstage. The improvement scales with your system’s resolution—the more transparent your components, the more evident the benefits.
The arrows indicate the optimal signal flow, from the source to the amplifier or preamplifier. This directionality stems from the shield architecture, connected to ground only on the source side to avoid ground loops. Installing the cable in reverse won’t damage it but may slightly increase background noise, especially in electromagnetically polluted environments. AudioQuest controls this directionality during manufacturing to optimize RF interference drainage.
Within the Bridges & Falls hierarchy, the Evergreen is a substantial step up from the Tower thanks to its more advanced foamed polyethylene insulation. The Golden Gate goes further with Perfect-Surface Copper (PSC) conductors, delivering higher resolution in micro-details. Big Sur, with PSC+ copper and pure Purple Copper plugs, pushes refinement even more. For most systems, the Evergreen offers the best price-to-performance ratio, with higher models providing perceptible improvements mainly on very resolving setups.
The Evergreen is perfectly suitable for connections to active subwoofers. Its ability to preserve phase information and its low distortion in the bass are especially beneficial below 100 Hz. For longer runs to a distant sub, 3 to 5 meter versions maintain signal integrity without significant attenuation. The cable’s mechanical robustness also withstands vibrations generated by powerful subs.
The Evergreen’s gold-plated RCA plugs have tight tolerances to ensure optimal contact. On some vintage gear with worn RCA jacks or looser tolerances, the fit may feel less snug. Conversely, on new or high-end equipment with precision jacks, insertion may require slightly more pressure. This design prioritizes electrical contact quality over insertion ease. The plugs fit standard RCA chassis with an insertion depth of 15 mm.
The Evergreen becomes relevant once your setup goes beyond all-in-one mini-systems and includes quality separates. On a Project Essential II turntable with a Cambridge Audio or NAD preamplifier, the improvements are proportional and justify the investment. The cable won’t turn a modest system into a high-end rig, but it will allow each component to perform without being held back by a subpar connection. It’s often the overlooked link that, once optimized, reveals untapped capabilities in your existing system.
Rene
Very nice product, eliminated the noise between my turntable and my amplifier.
Comment from December 22, 2025 — Experience from April 30, 2022
Philippe
Enhanced finesse and sound quality, especially with analog audio like vinyl turntables.
Comment from February 24, 2025 — Experience from October 06, 2024
David
Perfect, good quality, I recommend it.
Comment from June 29, 2024 — Experience from March 17, 2024
