Audioquest Evergreen RCA 5m cable
Overview
AudioQuest’s Evergreen RCA cable uses a double-balanced asymmetrical geometry and solid Long-Grain Copper (LGC) conductors. It’s part of the Bridges & Falls series, named after the Evergreen Point Bridge connecting 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.
Technical architecture and materials: where physics meets acoustics
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 those interfaces.
Insulation is made of foamed polyethylene, a material containing a high proportion of air microbubbles distributed within the polymer mass. Since 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 absorption and the delayed release of electromagnetic energy in the dielectric.
The cable employs a double-balanced asymmetrical geometry. Unlike conventional unbalanced cables where the 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.
Cold welding: an age-old technology in the service of high fidelity
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 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 a conventional solder joint, the junction brings two different metals into contact, introducing a transition zone with electrical properties distinct 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.
Noise dissipation: a shield against modern electromagnetic pollution
The Evergreen incorporates a metal-layer Noise-Dissipation System designed to reduce the influence of radio-frequency (RF) interference. With the growing presence of wireless devices, switch-mode power supplies, and variable-speed drives and dimmers, 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 shielding is asymmetrical and 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 flow, corresponding to this shield orientation.
Practical applications and positioning in a high-fidelity system
The Evergreen is designed for systems where signal fidelity is paramount. It’s often used to connect turntables to a phono preamplifier, where reducing background noise 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 imaging.
The Evergreen’s RCA plugs are grouped within a single jacket, with a maximum spacing of about 7.6 cm. This may require adjustment on some equipment with more widely spaced inputs. It results from combining the two channels into a single jacket—a compromise aimed at optimizing electrical performance while controlling manufacturing costs.
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 that have a high output impedance.
Technical specifications
Materials and construction
- Conductors: solid long-grain copper (LGC)
- Dielectric: high-air-content foamed polyethylene
- Shielding: metal-layer noise-dissipation system
- Jacket: black and green braid
- Geometry: double-balanced asymmetrical
Connectivity
- Connector type: male RCA to male RCA
- Connector finish: gold-plated
- Assembly technique: cold-welded
- Impedance: optimized for analog transmission
Electrical characteristics
- Signal type: analog audio
- Interference reduction: absorption and reflection of RF interference
- Distortion minimization: elimination of strand interaction
- Signal preservation: reduced timing errors
Applications
- High-fidelity audio equipment
- Home theater systems
- AV receivers
- Turntables and CD players
- Digital-to-analog converters (DACs)
- Soundbars and TVs
Technical benefits
- Optimized signal transmission thanks to long-grain copper conductors
- High-performance insulation for a clear, precise signal
- Durable, reliable connections with no solder-induced distortion
- Effective shielding against electromagnetic interference
- Rugged design suited to intensive everyday use
Frequently Asked Questions
What sonic difference can I expect compared to a generic RCA cable?
Generic cables typically use multi-strand conductors of variable-quality copper with basic PVC insulation. The Evergreen yields a noticeable reduction in sonic haze, better instrument separation in the stereo soundstage, and more intact dynamics, particularly on fast transients. The difference is mostly about what disappears: treble grain, bass muddiness, and a compressed soundstage. The improvement scales with your system’s resolving power—the more transparent your components, the more evident the benefits.
Do I need to follow the direction of the arrows on the cable?
The arrows indicate the optimal signal direction, from the source to the amplifier or preamplifier. This directionality stems from the shield architecture, which is connected to ground only on the source side to avoid ground loops. Installing the cable in reverse won’t damage it but may slightly raise the noise floor, especially in electromagnetically noisy environments. AudioQuest controls this directionality during manufacturing to optimize RF interference drainage.
How does the Evergreen compare to other cables in the Bridges & Falls series?
Within the Bridges & Falls hierarchy, the Evergreen offers 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. 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; the higher models deliver perceptible gains mainly with highly resolving setups.
Can I use the Evergreen to connect a subwoofer?
The Evergreen is perfectly suitable for active subwoofer connections. Its ability to preserve phase information and its low distortion in the bass are especially beneficial below 100 Hz. 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.
Are the RCA plugs compatible with all devices?
The Evergreen’s gold-plated RCA plugs have 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 higher force. This design prioritizes electrical contact quality over ease of insertion. The plugs fit standard RCA jacks with a 15 mm insertion depth.
Is the Evergreen worth the investment for an entry-level system?
The Evergreen makes sense once your system goes beyond all-in-one mini systems and includes quality separates. On a Pro-Ject 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 setup into a high-end rig, but it will let each component express its potential without being held back by a subpar connection. It’s often the overlooked link that, once optimized, reveals capabilities in your existing system you didn’t know were there.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: EVERG05R
- GTIN / EAN: 92592061798
