AudioQuest’s Evergreen RCA cable uses an asymmetrical double-balanced geometry and Long-Grain Copper (LGC) solid conductors. It is part of the Bridges & Falls series, named after the Evergreen Point Bridge linking 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 Long-Grain Copper (LGC) solid conductors. Unlike multi-strand conductors, where each strand can generate electrical interactions, a solid conductor avoids this phenomenon. 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 made of foamed polyethylene, a material containing a significant proportion of air microbubbles distributed throughout the polymer mass. Since air has a low dielectric constant, this structure limits losses and energy storage compared with solid polyethylene. It helps reduce phase shift effects introduced by absorption and delayed release of electromagnetic energy within 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 influence of the shielding on the signal path and helps limit the pickup of electromagnetic interference.
Unlike traditional soldering, which uses heat and a tin-lead or silver-based alloy as filler, AudioQuest’s “cold-weld” method relies on the application of high electrical and mechanical pressure. This process creates a direct bond between the copper conductor and the gold-plated RCA plug, with no intervening solder alloy.
With conventional soldering, the joint brings two different metals into contact, introducing a transition zone with electrical properties different from those of copper. Cold-welding, on the other hand, relies on plastic deformation of the metal that promotes a continuous metallurgical contact between the conductor and the plug. The RCA connectors’ ground shells are produced 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 household electromagnetic spectrum. The metal layer acts by absorbing and reflecting interference before it reaches the conductors.
The shielding is designed asymmetrically 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 the noise floor can be particularly helpful for low-level signals. It can also be used between a DAC and an amplifier, helping to preserve detail and precision in spatial layering.
The Evergreen’s RCA plugs are grouped within a single jacket, with a maximum spacing of about 7.6 cm. This configuration may require adjustment on some equipment with more widely spaced inputs. It results from bundling the two channels in a single jacket, a compromise aimed at optimizing electrical performance while keeping manufacturing costs in check.
The cable is available in several standard lengths, from 0.6 m to 20 m. Shorter lengths have lower total capacitance and series resistance. Lengths up to 3 m preserve performance suitable for most home systems. Beyond 5 m, the cable’s characteristic impedance becomes a factor to consider, especially with sources that have a high output impedance.
Generic cables typically use multi-strand conductors made of variable-quality copper with basic PVC insulation. The Evergreen delivers a notable reduction in sonic haze, better separation of instruments within the stereo image, and better-preserved dynamics, especially on fast transients. The difference is mostly heard in what disappears: treble grain, bass muddiness, and a compressed soundstage. Improvements remain proportional to 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, which is grounded only at the source end to avoid ground loops. Installing the cable backwards won’t damage it but can slightly increase the noise floor, especially in electromagnetically noisy environments. AudioQuest controls this directionality during manufacturing to optimize RF interference drainage.
Within the Bridges & Falls hierarchy, the Evergreen offers a substantial improvement over the Tower thanks to its more advanced foamed polyethylene insulation. The Golden Gate steps up 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 further. For most systems, Evergreen represents the best price-to-performance ratio, while the higher models provide audible gains mainly on highly resolving setups.
The Evergreen is perfectly suitable for active subwoofer connections. Its ability to preserve phase information and its low distortion in the bass particularly benefit sub-100 Hz frequencies. For long 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 high-powered subs.
The Evergreen’s gold-plated RCA plugs are built to tight tolerances to ensure optimal contact. On some vintage devices with worn or looser-tolerance RCA jacks, the fit may feel less firm. Conversely, on new or high-end gear with precision jacks, insertion may require slightly more pressure. This design prioritizes electrical contact quality over insertion ease. The plugs accommodate 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 remain 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.
Ronan
Quality printing
No background noise, so it’s fine for me
Comment from November 26, 2025 — Experience from October 17, 2025
Eric
Cables are very important for optimizing both sound and image quality.
This cable, connected to my amplifier via my Denon CD player, suits me perfectly—the sound is crystal clear.
Comment from May 26, 2025 — Experience from May 10, 2025
Olivier
Well-made cables. Nothing to complain about with this purchase, the quality is definitely there compared to the original ones that came with the CD player and tuner.
Comment from September 30, 2022 — Experience from September 28, 2022
