Audioquest Tower RCA 2m

An analog interconnect cable that takes its name from London’s Tower Bridge: it is the first step in AudioQuest’s Bridges & Falls series, a range in which the American manufacturer concentrates the bulk of its cabling technologies into a compact and affordable format. The Tower RCA uses the brand’s in-house recipe (solid long-grain copper conductor, low-loss insulation, noise-dissipation shielding) and offers it starting at 0.60 m, up to 20 m for long installations.

Solid LGC copper conductor: fewer junctions, less distortion

Most entry-level cables use stranded OFHC (Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity) copper conductors. The Tower RCA takes a different approach: a solid, single-strand LGC (Long-Grain Copper) conductor. The difference between the two lies in the metal’s crystalline structure. LGC copper has longer grains, which reduces the number of crystal boundaries along the signal path. Each grain boundary acts like a micro-resistance that distorts the signal as it passes through. The fewer there are, the more faithful the transmission remains.

The choice of a single-strand conductor also has a direct consequence. In a stranded conductor, adjacent strands interact with each other under the effect of electromagnetic fields, which generates dynamic distortion (the signal is altered differently depending on its amplitude). A solid conductor eliminates this phenomenon. AudioQuest emphasizes one final point: the conductor’s surface quality acts as a guide for internal electric fields and external magnetic fields, hence the value of copper with low oxide and impurity content.

Foamed polyethylene insulation and its role in dynamics

Any insulating material placed near a conductor absorbs a fraction of the signal’s energy, then releases it with a slight time delay. This phenomenon blurs transients and reduces dynamic contrast. The Tower RCA uses foamed polyethylene (PE) insulation, a material whose high air content limits this absorption. Polyethylene is a low-loss dielectric with a low-distortion profile, which makes it suitable for transmitting sensitive analog signals.

Shielding and noise dissipation through a metal layer

Achieving 100% shielding coverage is relatively simple. The real problem lies elsewhere: in traditional shielding, noise energy and radio-frequency interference (RFI) picked up by the shield are drained to the ground of the connected device. This parasitic energy then modulates the reference ground plane, which causes distortion of the audio signal.

AudioQuest’s metal-layer Noise-Dissipation System (NDS) works differently. An interposed metal layer absorbs and reflects most of the noise energy before it reaches the layer connected to ground. The shielding still performs its barrier function, but without contaminating the device’s ground reference. The practical result is a lower noise floor, noticeable on low-level passages.

Asymmetrical double-balanced geometry

Many cables with unbalanced termination (RCA) use a single path for ground and shielding. The Tower RCA separates these two functions thanks to a so-called asymmetrical double-balanced geometry, designed for unbalanced connections. This separation reduces impedance on the ground path, which promotes richer dynamic reproduction and a quieter background.

The Bridges & Falls series groups the left and right channels in a single jacket, with separate positive and negative conductors. This format produces a thin and flexible cable, easy to install behind a cabinet or in a rack. One point to check before purchase: the left and right RCA plugs are close together (less than 7.6 cm apart). If your equipment’s inputs are spaced farther apart, AudioQuest recommends its Rivers or Elements series, whose plugs are independent.

Cold-weld terminations and gold-plated connectors

The Tower RCA’s RCA plugs are assembled by cold welding, a high-pressure process that eliminates any traditional solder. Tin solder, commonly used in connector assembly, introduces an additional alloy into the signal path, a potential source of distortion. The cold process avoids this added material.

The ground shells are stamped rather than machined. This manufacturing technique makes it possible to choose the metal based on its acoustic properties (low distortion) rather than its ease of machining. The gold plating protects the contacts against oxidation and ensures stable conductivity over time.

All internal conductors are direction-controlled (Direction-Controlled), a practice AudioQuest applies across its entire range to reduce residual RF noise.

FAQ

Is the Tower RCA sold as a pair or individually? The cable is sold individually. Each cable has two male RCA connectors on each side (left channel and right channel in the same jacket). A single cable is enough for a complete stereo connection.

What is the difference between the Tower and the Evergreen in the AudioQuest range? The Tower and the Evergreen share the same type of conductor (solid LGC copper) and the same geometry. The Evergreen stands out with a braided fabric jacket and slightly larger-gauge conductors. Performance is similar, with the main difference being aesthetic and mechanical.

Is the Tower RCA suitable for connecting a turntable to a phono preamplifier? Yes. The cable transmits an analog line-level or phono-level signal without restriction. For a moving-coil (MC) cartridge delivering a very low signal, the quality of the Tower RCA’s shielding (100% coverage with NDS dissipation) limits interference likely to degrade the signal-to-noise ratio.

Does the CL3/FT4 jacket certification have any value outside of in-wall installation? The CL3/FT4 standard guarantees a level of fire resistance sufficient for installation inside walls. In standard use (visible cable or in a cable tray), it simply indicates that the jacket is robust and compliant with strict safety criteria.

Does the cable’s connection direction matter? AudioQuest controls the direction of its conductors at the factory (Direction-Controlled) to minimize RF noise. An arrow printed on the jacket indicates the recommended signal direction, from the source to the receiving device.

Technical Specifications

Conductors

• Solid Long-Grain Copper (LGC)
  • Smoother and clearer sound than OFHC (high conductivity oxygen-free) copper cables
  • Solid conductors prevent strand interaction, a major source of distortion
  • Fewer oxides in the conductor material
  • Fewer impurities
  • Fewer grain boundaries
  • Higher-quality surface serving as a guide rail for internal electric fields and external magnetic fields

Insulation

• Foamed Polyethylene (PE)
  • High air content greatly reduces blurring
  • Low energy absorption limiting distortion from storage and release
  • Benign distortion profile and low loss

Shielding and Noise Dissipation

• Metal-layer noise dissipation
  • 100% shielding coverage
  • Absorbs and reflects most noise / RF energy before it reaches the ground-connected layer
  • Prevents captured radio-frequency interference (RFI) from modulating the equipment’s ground reference
  • Preserves the critical reference ground plane, unlike traditional systems that drain noise energy to the components’ ground

Geometry

• Asymmetrical Double-Balanced Geometry
  • Specifically designed for single-ended applications
  • Relatively lower impedance on the ground, for richer and more dynamic reproduction
  • Separation of the ground path and shielding, for cleaner and quieter performance

Terminations

• Gold-plated cold-weld terminations
  • Solder-free connection, eliminating a common source of distortion
  • High-pressure assembly process
  • Stamped, not machined, ground shells, allowing the choice of a low-distortion metal rather than one optimized for machinability

Performance and Benefits

• Enhanced audio experience: high-quality sound for a superior entertainment experience
• Clear signal transmission: minimizes interference and reduces distortion, for clean, clear, and naturally beautiful sound
• Premium materials and design: high-purity conductive metal, carefully selected insulation, and sophisticated shielding for minimal distortion
• Durable and reliable design, intended for daily use and consistent performance

Connectivity and Compatibility

• Connectivity: RCA to RCA
• Single-ended applications
• Compatible with televisions, soundbars, turntables, AV receivers, and other audio devices