Van den Hul The First RCA 0.8m
Overview
In 1993, A.J. van den Hul introduced the first audio interconnect cable without a metallic conductor. More than thirty years later, the The First range has expanded with several versions. The Metal Screen version retains the original architecture based on Linear Structured Carbon (LSC) and adds a dense metallic shield to meet the most demanding installation conditions, where ground currents and electromagnetic interference cause recurring issues.
A linear‑structured carbon conductor
The core of the cable is based on the patented Linear Structured Carbon technology. The central conductor consists of 12,000 carbon strands with an individual diameter of 7 microns, each individually insulated. This fiber‑by‑fiber insulation prevents electrons from flowing laterally from one strand to another: the signal progresses in a strictly unidirectional manner, which reduces distortion phenomena related to interactions between conductors.
Carbon offers thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability that metals cannot match. Whereas copper or silver gradually oxidize and degrade over time, structured carbon preserves its electrical and acoustic properties year after year. Van den Hul also points out that The First can be recycled at the end of its life: the material is remelted and reused as an extrusion layer on other cables from the brand.
Double shielding and minimal ground resistance
The Metal Screen version differs from The First and The First Ultimate models by adding an external metallic braid made of silver‑plated OFC Matched Crystal® copper, wrapping the existing LSC shielding layer. This dual shield—carbon saturated on one side, high‑purity metal on the other—reduces shielding resistance to 0.0049 Ω/m, a value significantly lower than that of The First Ultimate (around 4.8 Ω/m) and the original The First (around 14 Ω/m).
This extremely low resistance comes into its own with tube amplifiers, which are often prone to stray ground currents that manifest as hiss or hum. It is also particularly valuable in electrically polluted environments, near transformers, switching power supplies, or computer equipment.
Low‑level signals and long runs
The Dutch manufacturer particularly recommends The First Metal Screen for carrying low‑amplitude signals. The connection between a phono cartridge and a preamplifier, or the link from a microphone or an electric musical instrument, benefits from the interference immunity provided by this cable. The measured capacitance (61 pF/m) remains moderate, which limits high‑frequency roll‑off even over significant lengths.
Unlike the fully carbon versions, The First Metal Screen can be ordered in lengths greater than 1.5 meters. This makes it possible to implement installation layouts that are difficult to achieve with cables that are more sensitive to interference over long distances.
Construction and finish
The outer diameter is 7.5 mm, with a central conductor cross‑section of 1.0 mm. The peach‑colored Hulliflex jacket provides durable mechanical protection and good resistance to surrounding chemical agents. This halogen‑free material, adopted by Van den Hul as early as 1990, prevents the release of harmful substances in the event of combustion or disposal.
C‑8.0‑type RCA connectors are factory‑fitted. Van den Hul does not offer this cable on a reel for DIY termination: connecting the carbon fibers to the metal pins requires specific expertise to avoid internal reflection issues at the terminations.
Technical specifications
Construction and technology
- Asymmetrical coaxial design based on Linear Structured Carbon® (LSC) technology
- Conductor: 12,000 individual carbon strands, each insulated
- Diameter of each strand: 7 µm
- Additional metal shield: high-density braid in oxygen-free copper (OFC) with matched silver-plated crystals
- Double shielding
- 1 saturated LSC layer
- 1 high-purity metal layer
Electrical performance
- Shield resistance: 0.0049 Ω/m
- Minimizes ground loop issues
- Conductor resistance: 36 Ω/m
- Capacitance: 61 pF/m
Physical characteristics
- Conductor diameter: 1.0 mm
- Cable diameter: 7.5 mm
- Jacket: Hulliflex in peach orange color, durable and resistant
Recommended applications
- Complex or heavily polluted electrical environments
- Interconnection between tube-based equipment sensitive to ground currents
- Low-level signal transmission
- Phono cartridges
- Microphones
- Musical instruments
Key benefits
- Optimal protection against electromagnetic interference
- Coaxial alternative to the balanced version The Second
- Sound performance close to The First Ultimate
- Unique carbon construction delivering refined sound reproduction
- High-purity metal shielding ensuring silent operation
- Perfectly suited to sensitive systems: tubes, phono, microphones
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the audio signal pass through the metal shield?
No. The central conductor is exclusively carbon; the signal never passes through the metal. The silvered braid serves only as shielding and ground return, protecting the signal from external interference without taking part in its transmission.
Is this cable suitable for turntables fitted with low‑output MC cartridges?
Van den Hul recommends it rather for MM cartridges and high‑output MC cartridges. Very low‑output MC cartridges generally require a dedicated phono cable with impedance and capacitance optimized for this type of source.
Can The First Metal Screen be used as an SPDIF digital cable?
Yes. The characteristic impedance of 75 Ω and the low capacitance of the cable make it compatible with coaxial digital signal transmission between a CD player, DAC, or streamer.
What is the difference compared with The First Ultimate?
The First Ultimate uses shielding that is entirely carbon (six LSC layers, i.e., 114,000 strands), with no metal. Its higher shielding resistance can cause a slight hiss with some tube amplifiers. The First Metal Screen solves this issue thanks to its metallic braid, at the cost of a hybrid construction.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.