IsoTek EVO3 Optimum C19 3m
Overview
The EVO3 Optimum C19 is a power cable designed for amplifiers and equipment that require high current. It features square-section silver-plated OCC copper conductors, a low-constant FEP dielectric, OFC shielding, and an IEC C19 connector supporting a continuous current of 30 amperes.
An exceptionally sophisticated internal construction
At the core of the EVO3 Optimum C19 are three conductors of 3.0 mm² each, using the Ohno Continuous Cast process developed by Professor Ohno at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan. This continuous casting method produces copper crystals of exceptional length, reaching several hundred meters, thereby eliminating the multiple crystalline junctions found in conventional copper. Whereas a standard conductor has about 1,500 crystalline grains per foot (5,000 per meter), OCC copper forms a continuous single-crystal structure.
Each conductor strand uses a square rather than round profile, allowing a denser bundle and reducing voids between strands. This particular geometry improves the cable’s effective radius while maintaining remarkable flexibility despite the large cross-section. Silver plating of the OCC conductors provides added conductivity at high frequencies without sacrificing the intrinsic qualities of copper in the bass range.
Conductor insulation uses FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), a dielectric with a particularly low constant of 2.1. This value, markedly lower than conventional insulators, minimizes electrostatic energy storage in the cable. The three conductors receive a slight 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 layer of natural cotton filler. Chosen for its acoustic and mechanical properties, this material serves multiple functions: it provides internal structural rigidity, reduces microphonic effects (the transformation of mechanical vibrations into parasitic electrical signal), and maintains conductor geometry under mechanical stress.
A Mylar barrier then wraps the assembly, creating an additional dielectric layer before shielding is applied. The latter consists of an OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) braid connected to ground, forming an effective Faraday cage against high-frequency interference. The shielding not only protects the transmitted energy but also prevents the cable from radiating its own interference to adjacent equipment.
The outer jacket, a highly flexible PVC with a diameter of 12.5 mm, combines durability with ease of handling. Unlike large-section power cords that are often stiff and hard 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 differs from the standard C15 by its horizontal pins and significantly higher current capacity. Originally designed for computer servers and industrial equipment, it has a particularly relevant application in audio for very high-power amplifiers, monoblock amplifier power supplies, and certain high-end power conditioners.
The EVO3 Optimum C19 connectors use solid OFC copper plated with 24-carat gold. This plating, applied over a high-purity copper base rather than brass as in budget connectors, 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 mating sockets.
Technical design and proprietary innovations
The EVO3 Optimum belongs to IsoTek’s third generation (Evolution 3) of cables, incorporating insights from two decades of research. The company maintains design consistency across its range, using similar materials and geometries in its conditioners and cables. This systemic approach ensures optimal synergy when multiple IsoTek products are used together.
The principle of Kirchhoff’s law on the equality of resistance paths guides the Optimum’s design. Electrical routes are meticulously balanced to maintain perfect symmetry among the phase, neutral, and earth conductors. This symmetry reduces common-mode noise and preserves the integrity of the differential signal carrying useful energy.
The 30-ampere rating far exceeds the needs of most audio equipment, even the most power-hungry. 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 is a natural fit for 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 long-term solution. Unlike budget cables whose connectors degrade and insulation becomes brittle over time, the Optimum is designed 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
- Internal barrier: Mylar
- Shielding: grounded OFC copper braid
- Outer jacket: high-flex PVC
- Outer diameter: 12.5 mm
Connectors
- Audiophile-grade, 24-karat gold-plated
- Input: EU Schuko
- Output: IEC C19
- Resistant to oxidation
Electrical performance
- Rated current: 30 A
- Optimal reduction of RFI and EMI interference
- Extremely pure signal conduction and high conductivity
Technical benefits
- Robust yet flexible construction
- High-quality, oxidation-resistant connectors
- Ideal for enhancing the audio and video performance of all types of audio/video 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’s 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 on very high-power amplifiers, certain high-end power conditioners, and professional equipment requiring robust power delivery. Its more substantial construction ensures a stable electrical contact even under heavy load.
Does OCC copper really justify its extra 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 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 diverted to ground rather than penetrating to the main conductors. The shield also prevents the cable from radiating its own interference, which is particularly important with the high currents carried in a C19 cable.
Can a power cable really improve an amplifier’s performance?
Household power lines carry many contaminants: harmonics from switching power supplies, radio-frequency interference, and voltage fluctuations. A properly designed cable filters some 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 equipped with 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.
Is a break-in period required for this cable?
Like most audio cables using sophisticated dielectrics, the Optimum C19 reaches optimal performance after about 100 hours of continuous use. During this period, the FEP dielectric stabilizes and internal mechanical stresses settle. Improvements are noticeable from installation but refine progressively.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
