AudioQuest’s Evergreen RCA cable uses a double-balanced, asymmetrical geometry and solid Long-Grain Copper (LGC) conductors. It is part of the Bridges & Falls series, named after the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge linking Seattle to Bellevue. The cable features cold-welded connectors and a metal-layer noise-dissipation system. Its outer jacket uses 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 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, increasing these interfaces.
The insulation is foamed polyethylene, a material containing a significant proportion of microscopic air bubbles distributed throughout the polymer mass. Because air has a low dielectric constant, this structure limits losses and energy storage compared to solid polyethylene. This helps reduce phase shift effects introduced by absorption and delayed release of electromagnetic energy in the dielectric.
The cable adopts a double-balanced, asymmetrical geometry. Unlike conventional unbalanced cables where ground and shield share the same conductor, the Evergreen separates the return conductor and 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 alloy as filler, the “cold-welding” method used by AudioQuest 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, without the interposition of a solder alloy.
With conventional soldering, the joint brings two different metals into contact, introducing a transition zone with electrical properties distinct from those of 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 produced by stamping, which allows 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 is connected to ground only at the source end. 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 shielding 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 reducing background noise can be particularly beneficial for low-level signals. It can also be used between a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and an amplifier, helping to limit the loss of detail and precision in soundstage layering.
The Evergreen’s RCA plugs are grouped within a single jacket, with a maximum spacing of approximately 7.6 cm. This configuration may require adjustment on some equipment with more widely spaced inputs. It results from combining the two channels in a single jacket, a compromise aimed at optimizing electrical performance while keeping manufacturing costs in check.
The cable is offered 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 made from copper of variable quality with basic PVC insulation. The Evergreen brings a notable reduction of sonic haze, better instrument separation in the stereo soundstage, and more preserved dynamics, especially on fast transients. The difference is mostly heard in what disappears: grain in the treble, muddiness in the bass, and a compressed soundstage. The improvement scales with your system’s resolution—the more transparent your components, the more obvious the benefits.
The arrows indicate the optimal signal direction, from the source to the amplifier or preamplifier. This directionality comes from the shielding architecture, connected to ground only at the source end to avoid ground loops. Installing the cable backwards won’t damage it but may slightly increase background noise, particularly in electromagnetically polluted 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 elaborate foamed polyethylene insulation. The Golden Gate steps up with Perfect-Surface Copper (PSC) conductors, delivering superior resolution in micro-details. The Big Sur, with PSC+ copper and pure purple-copper plugs, pushes refinement even further. For most systems, the Evergreen represents the best price-to-performance ratio, while the higher models deliver perceptible improvements mainly in 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 subwoofer, 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 feature tight tolerances to ensure optimal contact. On some vintage gear with worn RCA jacks or looser tolerances, the fit may feel less secure. Conversely, on new or high-end equipment with precision jacks, insertion may require slightly more pressure. This design prioritizes electrical contact quality over ease of insertion. The plugs accommodate standard RCA chassis jacks with a 15 mm insertion depth.
The Evergreen becomes relevant once your system goes beyond all-in-one mini systems and includes quality separate components. 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 let each component perform to its potential without being held back by a subpar connection. It’s often the overlooked link that, once optimized, reveals unexpected capabilities in your existing system.
Francis
A very nice cable that inspires confidence right out of the box. Used to connect a Focal 1000F subwoofer to the pre-amp output of my Naim Uniti Star, it does a fantastic job.
Comment from February 22, 2024 — Experience from December 21, 2023
Laurent
Meets my expectations.
Comment from October 30, 2020 — Experience from September 29, 2020
Sébastien
Very good cable.
Perfectly fulfills its purpose.
No complaints.
Comment from August 28, 2020 — Experience from June 04, 2020
