IsoTek EVO3 Optimum C19 2m
Overview
The EVO3 Optimum C19 is a power cable designed for amplifiers and equipment requiring high current. It features square-profile silver-plated OCC copper conductors, a low-constant FEP dielectric, OFC shielding, and an IEC C19 connector rated for a continuous current of 30 amps.
An internal construction of remarkable sophistication
At the heart of the EVO3 Optimum C19 are three 3.0 mm² conductors, each produced using the Ohno Continuous Cast process developed by Professor Ohno at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan. This continuous casting method yields exceptionally long copper crystals reaching several hundred meters, thereby eliminating the numerous crystalline junctions found in conventional copper. Where a standard conductor presents about 1,500 crystalline grains per foot (5,000 per meter), OCC copper forms a continuous single-crystal structure.
Each conductor strand adopts a square rather than round profile, allowing a denser bundle with reduced voids between strands. This specific geometry enhances the cable’s effective radius while maintaining remarkable flexibility despite the large cross-section. Silver plating on the OCC conductors adds conductivity in the high frequencies without sacrificing the inherent qualities of copper in the low-frequency range.
Conductor insulation uses FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), a dielectric with an especially low constant of 2.1. This value, significantly lower than conventional insulators, minimizes electrostatic energy storage within the cable. The three conductors are given a gentle helical twist calculated to optimize rejection of electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference.
Multilayer architecture and interference protection
Between the conductors and the shield, IsoTek integrates a natural cotton filler layer. Chosen for its acoustic and mechanical properties, this material serves several purposes: it provides internal structural rigidity, reduces microphonic effects (conversion of mechanical vibrations into spurious electrical signal), and maintains conductor geometry under mechanical stress.
A Mylar barrier then wraps the bundle, creating an additional dielectric layer before the shield is applied. The shield consists of a braided OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) connected to ground, forming an effective Faraday cage against high-frequency interference. The shielding not only protects the carried signal but also prevents the cable from radiating its own interference to neighboring equipment.
The outer jacket, a highly flexible PVC with a 12.5 mm diameter, combines durability with easy handling. Unlike many high-gauge power cords that are stiff and difficult to route, the Optimum C19 remains supple enough for installation even in tight spaces behind equipment.
The C19 connector: an interface for demanding equipment
The IEC C19 connector stands apart from the standard C15 by its horizontal pins and significantly higher current capacity. Initially designed for computer servers and industrial equipment, it proves particularly relevant in audio applications for very high-power amplifiers, monoblock amplifier power supplies, and certain high-end power conditioners.
The EVO3 Optimum C19 connectors use solid OFC copper with 24k gold plating. Applied over a high-purity copper base rather than brass as in budget connectors, this plating ensures minimal resistance at the contact point while preventing long-term oxidation. Build quality is evident in their substantial weight and precise fit, ensuring a firm, stable connection with corresponding sockets.
Technical design and proprietary innovations
The EVO3 Optimum belongs to IsoTek’s third-generation (Evolution 3) cables, incorporating lessons from two decades of research. The company maintains design coherence across its entire range, using similar materials and geometries in both its conditioners and cables. This systemic approach guarantees optimal synergy when multiple IsoTek products are used together.
The design of the Optimum is guided by Kirchhoff’s law and the principle of equal resistance paths. Electrical routes are meticulously balanced to maintain perfect symmetry between live, neutral, and earth conductors. This symmetry reduces common-mode noise and preserves the integrity of the differential signal carrying the useful energy.
The 30-amp rating far exceeds the needs of most audio equipment, even the most demanding. This generous headroom ensures the cable never becomes a bottleneck in power delivery, particularly during transient current demands when amplifiers reproduce dynamic musical passages.
Applications and system compatibility
The EVO3 Optimum C19 naturally pairs with power amplifiers delivering several hundred watts, monoblock amplifiers, separate amplifier power supplies, and certain high-end home cinema processors. Professional music servers and studio equipment adopting the C19 standard also benefit fully from its qualities.
Beyond simple mechanical compatibility, the cable accommodates a wide range of input voltages (100–240 V) and mains frequencies (50–60 Hz), making it usable in different countries without modification. Its robust construction allows it to withstand the demanding environments of professional installations while retaining the refinements required for high-fidelity home systems.
The use of premium materials and sophisticated manufacturing techniques positions the Optimum C19 as a durable solution. Unlike budget cables whose connectors degrade and whose insulation becomes brittle over time, the Optimum is engineered to maintain its performance for decades.
Technical Specifications
Cable Construction
- Conductors: 3 x 3.0 mm² (square conductor strands)
- Conductor material: silver-plated Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) copper
- Dielectric: Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
- Dielectric constant: 2.1
- Filler: cotton
- Inner barrier: Mylar
- Shielding: grounded OFC copper braid
- Outer jacket: high-flex PVC
- Outer diameter: 12.5 mm
Connectors
- 24-karat gold-plated, audiophile-grade
- Input: EU Schuko
- Output: IEC C19
- Oxidation-resistant
Electrical Performance
- Rated current: 30 A
- Optimal reduction of RFI and EMI interference
- Extremely pure signal conduction and high conductivity
Technical Advantages
- Rugged yet flexible construction
- High-quality, oxidation-resistant connectors
- Ideal for enhancing the audio and video performance of all types of A/V equipment
Recommended Applications
- CD players, preamplifiers, tuners
- Power amplifiers, Blu-ray players
- Music servers, televisions, soundbars
- Audiophile and home theater systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a C19 connector and a standard C15?
The C19 connector has horizontal pins spaced differently from the C15 and supports significantly higher currents (typically 20 A versus 10 A). It is mainly used with very high-power amplifiers, certain high-end power conditioners, and professional equipment requiring robust power delivery. Its more massive construction ensures a stable electrical contact even under heavy load.
Does OCC copper really justify its higher cost compared to standard OFC copper?
The Ohno Continuous Cast process produces a continuous crystalline structure over exceptional lengths, eliminating the thousands of inter-grain junctions found in conventional copper. These junctions act as micro-resistances and sources of distortion. OCC copper achieves purity up to 99.9999% (6N) versus 99.99% (4N) for standard OFC, further reducing impurities that can affect conduction.
How does OFC shielding protect against interference?
The OFC copper braid connected to ground forms a Faraday cage around the conductors. Electromagnetic interference induces currents in this shield that are drained to ground rather than penetrating to the main conductors. The shielding also prevents the cable from radiating its own interference, which is particularly important with the high currents passing through a C19 cable.
Can a power cable really improve an amplifier’s performance?
Household power carries numerous pollutants: harmonics from switching power supplies, radio-frequency interference, and voltage variations. A properly designed cable filters part of these disturbances while maintaining low impedance for dynamic current demands. Improvements manifest as a blacker background, better instrument separation, and preserved dynamics.
Is the Optimum C19 suitable for equipment other than amplifiers?
Although designed for high-current applications, the cable works perfectly with any device featuring a C19 inlet, including certain professional CD players, home cinema processors, and music servers. Its sophisticated construction benefits every link in the chain, especially digital sources sensitive to mains-borne noise.
Does this cable require a break-in period?
Like most audio cables using advanced dielectrics, the Optimum C19 reaches optimal performance after about 100 hours of continuous use. During this time, the FEP dielectric settles and internal mechanical stresses even out. Improvements are noticeable from the outset but refine progressively.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
