Van den Hul The Super Nova

Four solid conductors of 13.4 mm² each, halogen-free insulation, dual-layer shielding, and silver-soldered connectors: this speaker cable has sat at the top of the Van den Hul range for more than two decades. The Dutch manufacturer, renowned for its handcrafted phono cartridges and proprietary conductor technologies, deploys all of its metallurgical expertise here in the service of uncompromising signal transmission between amplifier and loudspeakers.

A copper-silver hybrid born from an exclusive extrusion process

The Super Nova’s distinctive feature lies in the manufacturing of its conductors. Whereas most high-end cables use copper coated with an electroplated silver layer, Van den Hul applies the silver by co-extrusion in the same mechanical pass as the copper. This technique avoids the micro-cracks and chemical residues that usually accompany electrolytic plating.

The copper itself is Matched Crystal OFC (oxygen-free by continuous casting), whose homogeneous crystalline structure limits discontinuities in electron flow. Each conductor is then coated with a layer of Linear Structured Carbon (LSC), a material patented by Van den Hul and composed of carbon fibers aligned in continuous chains. This layer improves surface conductivity and provides additional protection against oxidation.

Conductors sized for speaker control

In single-wiring configuration (the four conductors grouped into two pairs), the Super Nova reaches an effective cross-section of 26.8 mm² per polarity, equivalent to AWG 3. Electrical resistance then drops to 0.00066 Ω per meter, an exceptionally low value that allows the amplifier to maintain firm control over cone movement, particularly in the bass.

In bi-wiring or bi-amping, each conductor retains its 13.4 mm² cross-section (AWG 6) with a resistance of 0.0013 Ω/m. This configuration remains among the most generous on the market and allows for significant cable lengths without audible signal degradation.

The combination of the massive cross-section and the silver coating also reduces skin effect, the phenomenon that concentrates current at the surface of the conductor at high frequencies. The Super Nova thus maintains stable impedance across the entire audible spectrum and beyond.

Dual shielding and optional grounding

The cable incorporates two layers of braided silver-plated copper and an LSC carbon tape that form a continuous shield against radio-frequency and electromagnetic interference. This protection is particularly useful in environments where Wi-Fi equipment, dimmers, or switching amplifiers coexist.

A drain wire at each end allows the shielding to be connected to the amplifier’s ground. For speakers equipped with a dedicated earth binding post, this connection can be extended all the way to the loudspeakers, thus closing the shielding loop. If no such binding post is available, the wire simply remains unconnected on the speaker side.

Hulliflex jacket and environmental durability

Since 1990, Van den Hul has abandoned PVC in favor of its own insulation material, Hulliflex. This transparent ruby-red jacket contains neither plasticizers nor halogens, eliminating toxic fumes in the event of incineration and improving long-term chemical stability.

The EHD (Extra Heavy Duty) version used on the Super Nova resists mechanical stress, common chemical agents, and UV-accelerated aging. Moisture-treated fibers are interleaved between the conductors to maintain electrical properties in tropical environments or in automotive installations exposed to condensation.

Terminations and assembly

The cable is supplied pre-terminated with your choice of banana plugs or Bus-type spade lugs, both from the Van den Hul range. The contacts are 24-carat gold-plated with a generous thickness to resist oxidation and ensure stable contact pressure over time. Silver solder, rather than tin, completes the metallurgical consistency of the whole.

The 20 mm outer diameter requires a generous bending radius during installation. While the cable’s stiffness makes routing through tight spaces more challenging, it in return guarantees excellent mechanical stability for the internal conductors.

Technical Specifications

Conductors

• Cross-section of conductors: AWG 6 (13.4 mm²) per conductor
  • Paired-conductor configuration: up to equivalent of AWG 3 (26.8 mm²)
• Electrical resistance: 0.00066 Ω/m in paired-conductor configuration
• Material: hybrid copper-silver superconductor
  • Extruded MC OFC copper core (oxygen-free by continuous casting method)
  • Co-extruded silver layer (not electroplated)
  • Linear Structured Carbon (LSC) coating for optimized conductivity
• Maximum purity: no chemical residues, no oxidation paths
• Acoustic performance: ultra-efficient energy transmission, maximum loudspeaker control, tight bass, open midrange, non-fatiguing treble

Shielding and protection

• High-efficiency double-layer shielding
  • Two layers of silver-plated copper
  • Linear Structured Carbon (LSC) tape
  • Protection against RF / EMI interference
  • Can be grounded with speakers equipped with a dedicated binding post
• Moisture protection: treated internal fibers
• Outer jacket: transparent red Hulliflex EHD
  • High abrasion resistance
  • Resistance to chemical agents
  • Resistance to ageing

Connectors and terminations

• Available types: banana plugs, Bus-type spade lugs
• Silver soldering
• 24-carat gold plating
  • Optimal contact stability
  • Oxidation resistance

Available configurations

• Paired conductors (twin-lead): 2 bundled conductors
• Bi-wiring: 4 separate conductors
• Bi-amping: 4 separate conductors

Applications

• High-end high-fidelity systems
• Home audio
• Demanding car audio
• Professional sound reinforcement installations